The Meteoric Rise of Solo Women Travel

Over the past several years, the world of travel has experienced a sea change: people are exploring the world on their own. Eager to make travel plans without having to coordinate with others, and empowered by the world’s increased connectivity and security, more travellers are becoming solo travellers. And of these many solo travellers, women are leading the way. 

The stats are staggering. Solo travel is projected to be a $1 trillion industry by 2030, so the pend-up demand is only just beginning. Furthermore, according to Forbes, over 70 percent of solo travellers are women. A survey by research firm Future Partners showed that over 40% of women travellers are planning a solo trip in the near future. And of these solo women travellers, women over the age of 50 are driving the boom, according to Journey Woman. 

We’ve noticed this trend at Goway, as well. Not only have an increased number of solo women travellers worked with us for their travels, but our own Destination Specialists have also increasingly explored the world on their own and experienced this emerging travel style for themselves. 

Why Solo Women Travel Is on the Rise

To get a sense of why women are increasingly exploring the world on their own, we chatted with a few of our internal Destination Specialists, including Team Lead Maria Spitman. 

“There are countless reasons for why women want to travel solo from spiritual retreats that are often best experienced solo to just not having a friend who wants to go to a specific country that's always been on your bucket list,” says Maria. "Women are also challenging themselves to see if they can tackle a different country all on their own. Nothing will convince you that you can handle anything the world throws at you quite like braving it in another country alone where you don't speak the language and figuring it out on the fly when you get lost or are trying to find a hidden gem.” 

However, there have been some obvious changes in recent years that make it more appealing for women to strike out on their own. “The world has become more accessible (and arguably safer) with advances in technology where you can purchase an eSim to always stay connected and access emergency services, rent a GPS to never get lost, and use Google Maps to find everything on foot,” says Maria. “However, I would also argue that a large contributing factor to this trend is that it's mirroring cultural and relationship trends in the past five years. More women (especially in their late 20s to early 40s) are actively choosing to stay single for longer periods in their lives, and in alignment with this, they’re not waiting for a partner before living their lives to the fullest. Travel is a big part of that—exploring the world, making memories, and leaving compromise at the door. Even women who are in partnerships later but have previously solo-traveled often still embrace solo travel for certain trips (especially if they do multiple trips a year) because of the enjoyment found in travelling alone.” 

Of course, solo women travel doesn’t always mean exploring on your own. Often, women join a small group of like-minded travellers to experience the world together. These travellers begin as strangers and end up becoming fast friends who bond over their shared travel experiences. “Many women have good jobs, but might not have a travel partner,” says Vanessa Lloyd, Destination Specialist. “So they feel safe travelling with a small group. They can go where they want for as long as they want and at the budget they want. It allows a lot of freedom and security.” 

Solo women travel is clearly on the rise and Goway is keen to empower women travellers to experience it on a future vacation. 

Goway’s New Solo Women Travel Packages

Inspired by all these women charting their own course in their globetrotting adventures, Goway has launched a Solo Women Travel product line that empowers women to follow their passion in their travels. Goway’s Solo Women Travel trips take women to some of the world’s leading travel destinations and feature iconic experiences as well as activities curated to appeal to the diverse interests of women travellers. The trips prioritize safety and feature single-rate pricing for added convenience and peace of mind. 

Goway currently features five Solo Women Travel packages, with a sixth trip to Brazil coming soon. 

• Echoes of Jordan explores the ancient wonders of Amman, Jerash, and Petra, as well as the majestic nature of Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. 

• Essence of Dubai helps women explore the modern wonders of Dubai and nearby Abu Dhabi. 

• Secrets of India showcases the colours of northern India from Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. 

• The Spirit of Thailand takes women to Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. 

• Timeless Egypt explores Cairo and the Nile River from Luxor to Aswan. 

Every one of these trips features women-focused activities and taps into something special that showcases the destination from a unique perspective. These include: 

• Interactive food experiences, such as a women-led craft and food tour in Cairo. 

• Visits to women’s cooperatives such as the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation Society in Jaipur. 

• Wellness experiences such as an intensive Thai wellness retreat including a traditional Thai massage, herbal compress, and an aromatherapy hot oil massage. 

• Authentic local encounters such as a home-hosted dinner in Wadi Musa near Petra. 

• Slow travel opportunities such as several leisurely-paced days in Dubai. 

These new trips help women embrace their passions and embark on new adventures around the world. 

Best Practices for Solo Women Travellers

Whether you join one of Goway’s new solo women travel packages, customize your own trip, or explore completely independently, there are some tips to keep in mind. 

1. Arranging transfers ahead of time lets you hit the ground running and not worry about communications issues or complex transit systems to get to your hotel. 

2. Speaking of hotels, choosing centralized hotel locations near major transit lines and in commonly frequented areas will help you explore while enjoying peace of mind. Staying in areas where locals are out and about during the day also lets you absorb the atmosphere and experience the authentic city life. 

3. Learning a few phrases in the local language will help you connect authentically with those you meet along the way. 

4. Give yourself free time to explore on your own and follow your whimsy, since so much of the joy of travelling solo is learning more about yourself. 

5. Working with a travel company like Goway will help ensure you have a smooth and safe experience when exploring the world on your own. Booking with a travel expert is essential to ensuring you address all of the above points and enjoy a seamless itinerary flow and have access to 24/7 support in case you run into any challenges. 

There are also destinations not included in Goway’s current packages that make for great options for solo women travellers. “From my experience, New Zealand is a great place to explore on your own,” says Vanessa Lloyd. “It’s safe. Language is not a problem. There are great options for transportation and reasonable pricing. And it’s stunningly beautiful. Wherever you choose to go, be brave. You can step outside your comfort zone, especially if you opt for a small group. It’s a big, beautiful world, so don’t let not having a travel companion slow you down.” 

“It really is going to depend on your comfort level and what you’re aiming to do,” says Maria Spitman, “but for a first-timer travelling solo who's open to the entire world, my top recommendation would be Italy (if you want to be social and don't mind a language difference) or France (if you'd like to be out and about, but prefer more social distance).” 

If you want to explore the world and need help crafting the ideal trip that caters to your passions and interests, get in touch with a Goway Destination Specialist. Whether you’re a woman ready to explore on your own or are curious to venture to over 115 countries on all seven continents, Goway is ready to help you experience a better way to travel.