Travelling is an adventure for any person. From the planning stages to the arrival at an exciting destination, the thrill of travelling is addictive. Travelling may seem like an experience best done with friends or family, however, research indicates that a large portion of people actually prefer to travel alone – particularly women.
One survey, conducted by Booking.com in 2014, shows that most solo travellers are women, while a SoloTravelerWorld.com survey in 2018 found that 85.7% of solo travellers were women, while only 13.7% were men.
View this post on Instagram
With women having less social obligations these days compared to in past generations, travel and experiences have become more of a priority for them than ever before. The survey stipulates that 72% of American women prefer to travel alone. This movement is widely visible across social media, where huge communities of solo female travellers exist and engage with one another using the hashtag #solofemaletraveler.
Travelling and new experiences have become synonymous with self-care and personal discovery. Expanding one’s horizons and taking yourself out of your comfort zone are some of the many reasons why travel has become a priority for so many. Accessibility and affordability have also contributed to the increase in solo travel. Travelling alone, and travelling in general, helps to broaden one’s perspective and learn about new cultures, often while making friends along the way.
There is ample technology in the forms of apps and websites that provide women with a platform to research and gain insight into the destinations they wish to visit from the perspectives of other solo female travellers. With the help of the internet and social media, information is accessible without the constraint of time and space, and the entire planning process can take as little as a few hours.
Image source: Unsplash
