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Last Updated: 28th March 2022

Statistics & Spending Trends for Female Travelers

Now that everyone is progressively recovering from the effects of the pandemic, people, women especially, have set eyes to travel and experience what they have been barred from the past two years. So let’s look at the statistics and spending trends for female travelers.

Written by: Big Piggyy

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As the world becomes more connected, more pictures are shared, and vlogs have become a trend because of the information and sights we get to see online. For women, this means new opportunities and challenges when it comes to hitting the road. Statistics show that 56% of female travelers account for a significant share of global travel expenditures, with a staggering $15 trillion in purchasing power and an estimated $125 billion in travel expenses in 2021.

 

Key solo travel statistics

Solo travelers make up 11% of the overall travel market. Statistics on traveling alone comprised up to 18% of global bookings, and as of 2021, 70% of solo travelers are already prepared to experience international travel again. 

 

The internet searches for “solo travel” increased by 131% between 2016 to 2019. Furthermore, as recorded in Google trends, there has been a rise in internet searches for “solo travel” in 2021 compared to 2020.  In fact, it is the #1 trend for 2019, according to Klook. On Instagram, the #solotravel currently has over 7.1M posts. 

 

Statistics show that one in six people (15%) has already taken a holiday alone. In addition, solo travel has contributed to an upsurge in spring and early summer travel, which means most solo travelers spend their vacations in April, May, or June. Over the last two years, a 42% increase in solo traveler booking was recorded. Furthermore, with the rise of solo bookings, travel companies have reduced or waived their single supplement fee. 

 

In terms of generation trends, 25% of US millennials plan to take solo trips in the next 12 months. In addition, a 2021 survey conducted by trpit.com revealed that millennials and Gen X are more active in all travel types than boomers. 

 

There are many reasons for traveling solo. 26% of those traveling alone reasoned that they simply wanted to be by themselves and explore a new place. In addition, 56% of female solo travelers prefer to travel independently since it gives them more freedom than traveling in a group. Finally, 61% of solo travelers are mainly motivated to relax and unwind during their solo vacation.

 

So, when is the best time to plan solo travel? An estimated 32% of those who travel solo start plan six months in advance, while 23% of solo travelers will have confirmed their destination four months before going. 55% agree traveling solo is now more socially acceptable than ten years ago.

 

Key female travel statistics 

Internet searches for the term “solo female traveler” increased by 62% from 2016 to 2019. Furthermore, as of January 2022, there are 218 million results for said term in the Google search engine.

 

According to several travel industry statistics, women make up 84% of the people who travel alone. In response to the trend in women’s solo booking trips, there has been a rise in the number of businesses which accommodate them only. In addition, the number of females traveling alone has increased by 45%. Solo female travelers are becoming more frequent every year, as evident by the increasing statistics.  According to the Census Bureau, more single women aged 35 and older often travel alone than men.

 

In the United States, 72% of American women prefer to travel alone on vacation. They lead the world in solo travel, taking three or more trips per year. It was recently found that solo female travelers surmount solo male travelers by 67% versus 37%. Furthermore, 65% of women in the US have embraced solo trips without their partners. Accordingly, solo female travel statistics show that women enjoy exploring new areas on their own time and according to their own interests. Furthermore, recent reports found that 80% of travel decisions are made by women when they are with their relatives or partners. 

 

An estimated 32 million single women in the United States traveled at least once in 2019, and 59% of females who traveled alone during that year said they would do so again in 2020. Among single American women who traveled during 2019, one in three traveled over five times. In fact, there has been a 250% increase in travel agencies that only cater to female travelers. 

 

In the UK, solo female travel statistics reported that 54% of females find pleasure in flying alone. On the other hand, 25% of all tourists consider having a solo getaway in 2020; however, it declined to 21% in the first half of 2021.

 

Despite the turmoil of world events at the time, it is estimated that 86 percent of women will still travel alone in the next following years. Although the data are limited, various online articles predict that the solo travel market will recover first from the pandemic, with solo female travelers dominating the market.

 

Tour and Hotel Industry

Different statistics show the increase in solo travels over the past few years. According to the river cruise line Uniworld, there has been a 25% increase in solo travelers for the tour and hotel industry. Additionally, Hotelscan.com recorded a 170% increase in people looking for a room by themselves for the last 12 months. LateRooms.com recorded a 14% increase in bookings for single women traveling between 2017 and 2018. Furthermore, there is an observed 42% hike in Hostelworld bookings for solo travelers from 2015 to 2017. There is also a recorded 18% on Riviera Travel customers, indicating that taking tours and river cruises are now a trend for those traveling alone. 

 

In terms of travel time, only 1% of solo bookings happen during July and August; most solo travel happens off-season. According to Travel Impressions, the rising number of people traveling alone occurs in the summer. However, solo travelers favor guided tours since it enables them to travel in a group rather than experiencing these attractions on their own. Because of this, hotels decided to eliminate single supplement fees for reservations made in 2019 and 2020.

 

On another note, room-sharing choices provided by companies such as Contiki, Trafalgar, and Insight Vacations have become excellent options for solo travelers. Solo travelers are most likely to share a twin or quad room with someone of the same sex. Therefore, solo travelers will benefit from eliminating or reducing single supplements on some departures these travel and tour companies offer.

 

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic made a devastating impact on the hotel industry. US hotels had an 8.7% reduction in occupancy in the week ending December 25, 2021, compared to the same week two years ago. The average daily rate, on the other hand, the average daily rate fell to 129.67 dollars, up only 0.5% from the previous year. Last but not least, a year-on-year decline in revenue per available room of 8.3% was recorded at 57.46 US dollars per room.

 

Demographics

From the 2019 data, 46% of female travelers are aged between 25-39, while  6% are between 25-34 years old. Based on the 2020 Solo Female Travel Trends Survey, 44% are single, 30% are in a relationship, 11% of divorced, and 4% are widowed. Additionally, 81% of solo female travelers are over 45 years old. It has also been recorded that women older than 50 enjoy traveling alone because they’re often divorced, single or widowed, and more financially stable compared to younger age groups. The least female travelers at 13 % are aged 35 to 44, and 1% are 18 to 24 years old.

 

The average age of women travelers in the US is 47 years old. Females are 63% among American travelers, while 37% are male. A greater number of single American females have traveled at least once in the last year, with an estimated 32 million. On the other hand, the average age of women travelers in the UK is 57 years old.

 

Different ages also reveal various reasons for traveling. Statistics show that women over the age of 40 are the most inclined to travel, partly because of their higher profitability, greater spending power, and fewer family obligations. Compared to younger females, mature women are more financially stable and can splurge on their vacations. Women in their forties and fifties have more free time because of their more significant career success; thus, they usually reap its benefits by discovering unique travel experiences.

 

Let us move on to generation trends. Among women traveling the world in 2019, 58% are millennials, and 47% are from the older generations. Meanwhile, the 2020 Solo Female Travel Trends Survey indicates that 50% are millennials, 36% are Gen X, and 15% are Boomers. Vacation planning is dominated by Generation X, with 89% of them intending to take a trip by 2021. A workcation is also more popular among millennials, with 24% of those polled planning a vacation that would include remote work in the near future.

 

Additionally, this figure is greater than the overall population, where just 14% of people expect to travel and work remotely in a different location. In fact, a typical Generation X traveler travels three to four times each year. Furthermore, western solo travelers are at a mature age, recording at 39% of Baby Boomers and 24% for Generation X. 40% of Baby Boomers worldwide have taken a solo trip in the last year, and estimates show a $157 billion budget allocation for their travels every year. 

 

For future travel plans based on a December 2020 study, 60% of American respondents between the ages of 30 and 49 said they already booked, planned, or are expected to travel during the year 2021, while only fewer than half of American travelers aged 50+ would be doing the same.

 

Income

Traveling and income are also related. In the US, 47% of women travel for work-related purposes. Among those who travel for business, 45% are female business travelers. Additionally, 11.2% have their own business. Among travelers earning $250,000 or more annually, 54% were women, while independent travelers have an average income of $150,000. 

 

According to research, 48% of people making less than $30,000 a year haven’t left the country, compared to 28% making between $30,000 and $79,999 a year and 10% making more than $80,000 a year. People who make the most money are also a lot more likely to have been to many different places. 

 

Reasons for traveling solo 

Different statistics demonstrate women’s desire to explore the world on their own. Thus, there was the rising popularity of markets that cater to female travelers, ranging from 84% to 88% in 2020. 

 

These numbers are probably affected by internet trends. About 45 million people looked for “solo female travel” online. Google searches for the phrase have surged by 230% between 2019 and 2020, with 55% of those being female and largely made up of millennials. Furthermore, there has been a 350% increase in the number of articles on Pinterest about “solo female travel.” In the United Kingdom, women aged 25 to 34 in London searched for solo travel at a rate of 55%, with 6% being female travelers. According to Google Trends, internet searches in the United Kingdom increased in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

 

73% of travel agencies have noticed that women travel solo more frequently than males. Additional studies reveal that 72% of American women enjoy traveling alone. Additionally, 27% of women considered taking solo trips in 2019, but only 25% of solo female travelers planned to take a vacation in 2020. For more than a million women traveling alone for years, 59% of them would go again on a solo vacation in the next 12 months. 

 

Based on the statistical reports, almost half of the female solo travelers (46%) enjoy a sense of freedom and independence from traveling alone. In addition, 4% of travel agents think that female travelers go alone to reconnect with themselves. Lastly, 54% of solo female travelers prefer to embark on new experiences out of their comfort zone, 22% want to explore the world and choose not to wait for others, and 15% encourage themselves and help build confidence.

 

What inspires women to travel solo

2015 launched the trend for ladies to leave their work and tour the globe. Moreover, 69% of females derive their inspiration from travel. The female travel market has grown by 88% in the previous several years, suggesting a significant societal change as females have become more interested in seeing the globe on their own. Women traveling alone has grown increasingly prevalent, according to data collected by travel agencies, who reported that 59% of their customers are traveling alone more often today than they were ten years ago. 

 

Why do ladies prefer to travel alone? Solo travel for women is characterized by its emphasis on independence, spontaneity, and the opportunity to meet new people. Moreover, a recent survey shows that 86% of women said they are not frightened to travel, regardless of what is going on globally. According to recent research, those who go on an adventure, cultural, or environmental tour are more likely to be female than males.

 

Women are also increasingly becoming bilingual and multilingual, making traveling safer and more convenient. This skill also provides more cultural experiences and allows women to feel intellectually challenged, among other benefits. The allotment of more cultural opportunities and a chance for women to feel intellectually stimulated has become a motivation in itself. 87% of women travel for beautiful scenery compared to 72% of men, and 17% of females go for history, culture, and education. 

 

Destinations and motivation to travel are also correlated. For example, 16% of females travel for beach escapes. Solo traveling is an opportunity for relaxation and to experience new things. While 16% of ladies go for beach retreats, another 15% of females travel for adventure. On the other hand, 13 % of females also enjoy going on cruises since most women are eager to have ‘experiences’ when they travel. Recently, a trend has evolved in which women prioritize traveling and doing it in a personally fulfilling manner. Solo travel provides a chance for women to unwind while also learning new skills and seeing new places.

 

Aesthetics and activities also inspire women to travel. Statistics show that 87% of women travel to aesthetically-pleasing destinations compared to 72% of men. Moreover, women are consistently attracted to luxury vacations and spa vacations, but they are becoming more interested in more active experiences, such as hiking and biking. In the US, 27% travel for shopping and sightseeing.

 

After their first solo trip around the world, several professional women decided to quit their jobs and explore the world full-time. The stockbroker Roaming Naomi, for example, abandoned her job in California to spend her days roaming the globe instead of working for a large corporation. As a result of her travels across the world in the previous year, Naomi presently resides in Devonshire, England, where she produces most of her blog content. From strange and unusual accommodations to Muay Thai boxing classes, Likibu, a vacation rental website, got up with Naomi while on the road to speak about all things travel.

 

Women like to travel alone because they are not restricted by the requirements of others and can participate in the activities that interest them. Furthermore, because of technological advancements, travel has become much safer, with women able to connect with the internet, police stations, and even drivers at the press of a button. Destinations with a high proportion of female visitors are aware of their particular requirements, allowing them to modify their offerings to include activities that are appealing to female tourists.

 

The number of women planning travel has increased the number of firms that cater only to women. In addition to being more financially solid and independent, women are also becoming more specialized and convenient in their travel arrangements. Women in relationships and single ones benefit from these two characteristics, which motivate them to travel more regularly. 

 

As the travel environment evolves, female travel statistics show that an increasing proportion of women are becoming regular travelers, encouraging. Despite 2019 being a year marked by political unrest, there are millions of female travelers, and more than half of them want to do so again this year. Additionally, solo female travelers have increased in number due to tourist locations’ efforts to ensure the safety of female visitors across the globe. Female word-of-mouth spreads positive experiences, resulting in more responsibility, improved safety measures, and return trips to safe venues.

 

Traveling with friends

During 2016-2019, about 24% traveled for a “girlfriend getaway” trip. Records also show that in 3 years, an estimated 39% of American women plan to go traveling with their female friends. Additionally, the “girlfriend getaway” market has brought $200 million annually. 91% of females traveling together are friends while only 8% travel with female relatives.

 

According to the 2020 Solo Female Travel Trends Survey, females who haven’t experienced a solo trip stated that they are more likely to travel solo when joining a small women-only group trip. Meanwhile, mature women over 45 years old go on girl getaway travels with other women over the age of 45 to share travel experiences with one another.

 

Taking travels with a female companion is something that many women like doing when not traveling alone. It is something that 24 % of American women have done lately, and 39 % want to do shortly. From bachelorette parties to excursions with female relatives to a large group retreat with their female friends, female travel companions come in all shapes and sizes. Women prefer traveling with friends because seeing the globe is frequently more enjoyable when done with others, and it allows them to share mutual interests. When traveling, it is also accepted that safety is enhanced by large groups of people, particularly when visiting a location with a high crime rate.

 

Spending trends 

The spending power of women was estimated at $15 trillion. Women and travel have an annual spend in ladies getaway market around $200 million. Women are also expected to spend up to $125 billion in 2020. A significant number of women who’ll make decisions related to travel are at 67 million. One driving factor for this is women prioritizes paying for trips that suit their needs instead of getting a common travel package.

 

Additionally, 15% of female travelers are expected to spend more than $263 a day for trips and vacations. Among age groups, millennial travelers have an average of $1373 spending on travel, and one-third are more likely to exceed the $5000 budget for the full travel experience. However, regardless of age, solo travelers reported spending $1,000 to $2,000 a week on vacation than any other demographic. Generally speaking, the younger generation below 55 years old were more likely to cut down on their spending, while those above 55 were more likely to increase their travel expenses.

 

A solo trip around the world would have an average cost of $20,000 annually. Solo travelers spend about 20% more than other travelers on their travel insurance. Also, solo travel can mean 50% extra on accommodation costs. 

 

Female travelers also highly consider cheap solo travel destinations and alternatives, such as Laos, the cheapest country to travel solo in Asia, priced at $30 per day. However, it’s notable that women traveling alone are unwilling to compromise comfortable accommodations in order to spend more on amusement, spa treatments, and alcoholic beverages. Extra funds are allocated to upgrade accommodation than the aforementioned travel activities. Accommodation is the most vital factor of their vacation. If financial concerns were uplifted, 49% of females traveling alone would upscale their accommodations, 46% choose exclusive arrangements, and 43% secure a nicer place.

 

Destinations 

According to 45% of travel agencies, Europe is the most popular location for female travelers. Cuba, Macedonia, Guatemala, the United Arab Emirates, Luxembourg, Egypt, Nepal, Mexico, Albania, and Finland are among the top ten countries for American women traveling alone. On the other hand, Canada, Iceland, Austria, Uruguay, Switzerland, Finland, New Zealand, Belgium, Chile, and Japan are the top ten safest travel destinations globally. When criteria such as culture, safety, scenery, women’s rights, and adventure for lone female travelers were considered, Japan emerged as the clear winner. France, Spain, the United States, Indonesia, Italy, Australia, Canada, Portugal, and the Philippines were the next countries to rank. 

 

In order of importance, the fastest-growing female-friendly locations are then Italy and Sri Lanka. According to research, due to the television series The Real Marigold Hotel, India is the fastest-growing destination for single travelers. Tour companies attribute this increase in interest to the program. 

 

The top solo female traveler destinations vary per year. According to Forbes, London is the best female travel destination, followed by New York City, Paris, Singapore, and Rome.

 

Top 10 Safest Destinations for Female Travelers

In this 2019 survey from the Women’s Danger Index, here are the top 10 safest solo female travel destinations.

 

  1. SpainAs far as public safety, minimal legal discrimination, and behaviors toward gender-based violence are concerned, Spain is a beautiful Mediterranean gem that did very well compared to other countries.
  2. SingaporeSingapore has been consistently found as Asia’s safest country. Statistics show that the country has high safety scores, and a recorded 92% of women feel comfortable strolling alone at night.
  3. IrelandGender inequality and violence against women’s views were notably low in Ireland. The country has also recorded very minimal non-partner sexual harassment.
  4. AustriaWhen it came to sexual assault and gender inequality, Austria ranked at the bottom list among all the countries.
  5. SwitzerlandSwitzerland is known for being the land of fantastic sceneries, making it a popular claim that the nation is the most beautiful in Europe. Also, it did very well in terms of street safety and deliberate homicides against females.
  6. NorwayOne of the safest nations in the world to visit and live in, Norway has a low incidence of major crime and homicide. In addition, even though there are wolves and bears,  Norway has a meager number of potentially dangerous animals.
  7. Portugal – Portugal is a popular solo travel location, especially among female solo travelers. Catcalling is made illegal, and records show a low crime rate, harassment, and discrimination.
  8. CroatiaFemale solo travelers may freely visit Croatia without fear. Women are treated respectfully in Croatia, and the country’s biggest towns have lots of well-lit places with little or no indication of violent crime.
  9. CanadaFor female travelers, Canada is thought to be the safest place to go in the whole of the United States. Canada is also the country with several of the world’s safest cities for women who want to travel alone.
  10. Poland – Poland is a safe destination for female solo travelers, particularly those just starting on their solo journeys. But just like the usual, this big city can have pickpockets, just like any other city, so keep your things close to you and zip them up to keep them safe.

 

Top 10 Safest Countries for Female Travelers

Based on the Global Peace Index 2021, the following are the top 10 peaceful and safest countries for solo female travelers.

 

  1. Iceland, GPI 1.100With a GPI of 1.100, Iceland ranks top 1 as the safest and most peaceful country. Iceland’s low crime rates, along with the country’s exceptional gender equality, make it an attractive getaway for first-time solo female travelers. In addition, Iceland is a great place for hiking adventures and exploring glaciers.
  2. New Zealand, GPI 1.253New Zealand has always been a great country for its tourist attractions and one of the safest countries for solo female travel. The country is an excellent destination for solo female travelers looking forward to taking adventurous hikes at mountains, landscapes, and more. Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital city, is the best place to meet with other solo travelers.
  3. Denmark, GPI 1.256The most recommended place to start traveling in Denmark is Copenhagen’s capital city. For solo female travelers who love history, museums, and art, Copenhagen has plenty to offer every art enthusiast, from contemporary art to classical art and everything in between.
  4. Portugal ,GPI 1.267Portugal is one of the best places for solo female travel, where female travelers can visit historical architecture and experience stunning beaches, landscapes, and local culture. However, Lisbon is well known for theft and other travel annoyances, but overall, Portugal is a great country to visit when traveling solo.
  5. Slovenia ,GPI 1.315Quite admittedly, Slovenia isn’t a well-known country to visit, but it is highly recommended for female solo travelers seeking to explore picturesque places. Slovenia is rich with stunning lakes, caves, castles, and coastal cities.
  6. Austria ,GPI 1.317No country is 100% safe, but Austria is very close to that. Aside from the country’s rich greeneries and sceneries, Austrians are proud of their high living standards and have been consistent in being a trouble-free country.
  7. Switzerland ,GPI 1.323Apart from the diverse culture, stunning attractions, and majestic travel experience, Switzerland has a proven track record of high-level security with the lowest crime rates. Switzerland is also leading a 100% Women’s campaign that solo female travelers can definitely join in.
  8. Ireland ,GPI 1.326Ireland has been consistent with low crime rates as well as the friendly locale makes the country worthy of being on every traveler’s bucket list. Going to the pub for “the craic” late at night on weekends has been an Irish tradition for centuries. Newcomers are always welcome, alone or with a group. Solo female travelers definitely won’t worry too much when having a late-night drink.
  9. Czech Republic ,GPI 1.329For medieval historical experience and exploring fantasy castles, the Czech Republic is the best place to go. Female solo travelers can enjoy their culture, festivals, and alcohol.
  10. Canada ,GPI 1.330Canada is well-known for its snow-capped mountains, mystical lakes, and other breathtaking scenery. For female solo travelers who like to experience urban and rural adventure, Canada is the best pick.

 

Top 5 Countries with highly recommended culture, safety, and sceneries

The Solo Female Travelers survey has also reported the best countries to visit for solo female travelers considering the major tourist spots, higher safety levels, affordability, and the friendliness of locals and fellow solo travelers.

 

  1. JapanOne of the safest nations for female tourists in the world, Japan has a continuously low crime rate. Children as young as six years old ride the subway on their own while people of all ages fall asleep on the train. It’s easy to tell that the area inhabitants care about maintaining law and order. There are generally security guards and well-lit areas in city centers with cultural attractions, bustling commercial districts, and regularly utilized public transportation terminals.
    Koban (police) stations may be found in every major city and even the smallest of towns. Community policing is being carried out in these one or two-room facilities manned by uniformed police. This is also where people turn in lost and found stuff, so you should visit the local koban station if you notice your valuables gone.
  2. ItalyAs long as you take the necessary measures, you’ll be OK in Italy. To put it another way, Italy is typically a safe place. Aside from petty thievery, there are almost no violent crimes. It’s just as crucial to keep an eye on your baggage and lock it up in a major metropolis.
    The transport infrastructure of Italy is quite well-developed. Therefore, women should not worry about being harassed on public transit in Italy since the trains and buses are simple and widely utilized by both Italians and visitors. In addition, many Italians are already fluent in English since they are accustomed to seeing American visitors.
  3. Spain – Thousands of tourists travel to Spain every year, particularly during the summer months and in the main towns. Many women travel alone in Spain, so you’re not alone if you’re thinking of taking a solo vacation there. The fact that you are traveling in Spain should not make you feel any more unsafe than going to the supermarket in your neighborhood. If you’re well-informed, self-assured, and intelligent, there will be nothing to prevent you from falling in love with this vibrant nation.
  4. Thailand – You may feel worried about female solo travelers going to Thailand, yet this country is one of the greatest places to experience traveling alone for the first time. The locals are exceedingly kind (it is not dubbed ‘The Land of Smiles for nothing), yet with so many backpackers trekking Thailand alone and following the same itineraries, you’ll be hunting for those hidden treasures to avoid the masses.
  5. AustraliaAccording to a released data report from New World Wealth, Australia is the safest country in the world for women. Australia was the top spot for women’s safety for the second year in a row, followed by Malta, Iceland, New Zealand, and Canada.

 

Europe&USA

Europe is the most popular for 24% of Americans of all age groups and remains at the top choices, especially for key factors such as safety and familiarity. In addition, a recorded 20% of solo female travelers state that they would highly recommend first-timers to travel in their own country.

 

Among female travelers, 21% prefer to experience solo female travel in the USA. From Forbe’s 2020 list, here are the ten best places to solo female travel in the US:

 

  1. New York City
  2. Los Angeles
  3. San Francisco
  4. Las Vegas
  5. Chicago
  6. Honolulu
  7. San Diego
  8. Seattle
  9. Miami
  10. Washington, DC.

 

Among female travelers, 30% prefer adventure travel, 23% are into urban travel, and 53% are looking forward engage with the locals far from buzzing tourist destinations. 

 

Based on the Solo Traveler 2021 Reader Survey results, those who prefer domestic travel are at 2% for below 55 years old, 3% for 55+ years old, and 3% for all ages. For solo international trip, 22% are aged below 55m 26% are above 55, and 26% are for all ages. International and domestic travel preferences are 76% for below 55, 71% for 55+ and 71% for all ages.

 

Social Media Usage

Since social media is booming nowadays, it is used to share information on travel updates, destinations, and alike. US travelers that use social media for “travel inspo” are recorded at 30%. About 87% of millennial travelers travel and book inspirations from Facebook, while 50% are from Pinterest and Twitter.

 

75% of female travelers use social media for food and activity recommendations. A record of 40% of UK millennials considers the “Instagrammable” factor of a location during their travel planning. Additionally, 73% of female solo travelers have reported trusting social media communities such as Facebook groups when going on a solo vacation.

 

As of February 2022, the Facebook group “Solo Female Travelers” is currently over 137k followers, and another Facebook group, “The Solo Female Traveler Network,” is also over 438k followers. About 52% of American Facebook users state that their mutual friends’ posts and pictures have inspired their travel planning. On Instagram, @dametraveler (travel blog for women) has 589k followers, as well as the #solofemaletraveler already has 320k posts and #solofemale travel at 224k Instagram posts.

 

A notable 600% increase in searches for “solo travel” in 2018 was recorded for Pinterest. In the UK, Pinterest searches for “solo travel” have also slightly increased in 2022. Also, women are more inclined to get inspiration from Pinterest at 25%, contrary to 12% of men. 

 

About 62% use social media to communicate with family and friends, and 3% frequently post about their trip on social media (UK). There is also a notable 60% of people traveling who love sharing travel photos on social media, and about 97% of them are millennials

 

Safety trend 

The general female travel safety statistics records about 76% of women travelers who said they would feel unsafe on holiday by themselves. It was also noted that the top concern of female business travelers is safety. Asher & Lyric’s Women’s Safety Index presented that South Africa was the most dangerous country, and Spain was the safest country for solo female travelers.

 

Among 400 American women, one-third said they are less comfortable when solo traveling because of widespread news coverage of sexual harassment and assault. Although it is a given that solo female travelers are generally vulnerable, AIG Travel still advises female travelers to be familiar and be aware of local traditions, culture, and beliefs to avoid any unsafe incidents.

 

Around 30% of travelers revealed their families weren’t keen on traveling solo, while an estimated 33% of solo travelers believed they would get lonely while away. In addition, only 36% of unaccompanied travelers would feel comfortable walking into a bar by themselves, and 45% of solo female travelers wouldn’t mind eating in a restaurant on their own.

 

A report indicated 83% of women traveling for business had experienced safety issues once or a few times during their travels. In addition, about 90% of female business travelers state that safety concerns considerably impact doing personal activities, productivity, and travel frequency. However, according to a recent survey, 86% of women say they are not fearful of going on vacation, despite the issues and happenings around the world. 

 

Travel during pandemic

Covid-19 is classified as a global pandemic; it has been one of the major challenges that many industries, including travel, have faced for more than a year. To ensure the safety of travelers, particularly women, travel agencies imposed strict protocols.

 

In business travels, a European study of 6,000 business travelers stated that 38.1% of business travelers during pre-covid were women. 63.6% of females on corporate travel felt somewhat unsafe taking business trips during the pandemic. In comparison, despite safety precautions, 43.5% of female business travelers were concerned that they might become infected with Covid 19 while traveling.

 

Travel attitudes

Since the pandemic, we’ve had to rethink our trip plans. Several things are influencing our decision to travel abroad. In the first quarter of 2020, the frequency of travel has decreased, which is in line with the fact that many people are concerned about becoming infected with the virus.

 

As reported in the Solo traveler 2020 Reader Survey, 77% of travelers wanted to eliminate the need for quarantine requirements when traveling internationally. In the 2021 survey, 66% of travelers and staff wanted to prioritize safety through being vaccinated, and 58% wanted to know the high vaccination rate on their international travel destination.

 

Although 46% of travelers want to take trips more frequently in 2020, that number dropped to 22% in 2021. Specifically, 29% of women will travel by air less frequently at the same time. Furthermore, recent survey results show that fewer solo travelers will want to take longer trips in 2021 than in 2020. As a result, 17% are women who will only fly on specific, trusted airlines.

 

The rate of solo travelers who opt for greater luxury vacation is 16% during 2020; however, it decreased to 15% in 2021. The data also demonstrates that 40% of single travelers will travel more consciously and sustainably in 2020. However, in 2021, this percentage drops to 37%.

 

In 2020, 40% of solo travelers preferred the United Kingdom and Europe as destinations; surprisingly, this number rises to 41% who prefer Europe and 6% who choose the UK as their next destination. Among 260,000 members who answered the survey, 26% will take more road trips from 2020 to 2021.  

 

International travel

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of international travelers has dropped dramatically in the last two years. While international tourist arrivals increased by about 3.8% in 2021, they remained far below pre-pandemic levels, totaling around 415 million. 

 

Statistics show that 70% of solo travelers are prepared to travel internationally amidst the quarantine requirements and strict health protocols due to the pandemic outbreak. However, 14% reported that the pandemic hurt their financial situation. This may be attributed to the global lockdowns and increased unemployment rate that affected millions of income-generating industries during the pandemic. 

 

On the other hand, 17% of solo travelers claim to have more money to spend and travel. Many activities were halted in relation to the global lockdowns; thus, spending may have also decreased for these solo travelers.

 

69% state that their financial ability to travel has not been affected. This may be true for individuals with continuous income and huge savings. 

 

Overall, statistics show that the Covid-19 crisis had a significant economic impact as travelers decreased. 

 

Other trends and statistics

According to Booking.com statistics before the pandemic, just 14% of travelers considered a solo trip. Still, almost twice that number (around 23%) now say they will plan a solo vacation in the future. Another data on post-covid, solo travel is the second-most popular category for post-lockdown trips, says Cox & Kings (2020). Following Klook’s forecast, solo travel will continue to be a lucrative business opportunity until 2020.

 

On Google, the phrase “solo female travel” generates more than 45 million hits. Members of the Facebook community ‘Solo Female travelers’ number more than 27,000 in number.

 

Women are more likely to travel three or more times a year. Women account for 84% of all solo travelers, and around 72 percent of American women choose to travel alone. 65% of females in the United States have vacationed alone. Contrary to popular belief, female travelers are not afraid to travel alone, despite the tumultuous events unfolding worldwide, such as the global pandemic.

 

With increased awareness of COVID-19 and global vaccination uptake, the variables influencing the choice to travel overseas during the pandemic have shifted substantially over the last year. Quarantine standards were the key issue in October 2020. Vaccinations were elevated to the top priority for overseas travel in 2021. Apart from travel frequency, other travel goals such as luxury and sustainability have remained pretty steady. Solo travelers are used to foreign travel.

 

70% of respondents confirmed that they were willing to return to foreign travel. 14% responded that the pandemic hurt their financial capacity to travel. 17% reported having more money to spend on vacation, while 69 percent reported having no change in their financial capacity to travel.

 

Entrepreneurship is a difficult path to take, yet the number of small firms led by women continues to climb. Moreover, there is evidence that female-founded businesses outperform their male counterparts, which is all the more amazing given that women get just 2.3% of venture capital investment. Female entrepreneurs are also increasing in the travel sector, and eight of them are transforming the industry with their firms.

 

According to the results of a poll performed by the International Currency Exchange (ICE), women are more inclined than men to spend money when they travel. According to the survey, women spent more than £200 per day, while males reported spending less than £100 per day. A large part of this is because women see travel as self-reward and an opportunity to escape.

 

Conclusion

It’s no surprise that female empowerment has led to female travelers flying alone. ‘Who explores the world? – Girls!’ sung a wise lady. Or similar terms. Women are leading the way in travel, and the evidence shows it. In the UK, compared to 67 % of males in the same demographic, 75% of Gen Z women have previously backpacked or want to do so. 

 

Bookings by female solo travelers have surged by 88% in the last four years! Americans make the majority of female solo travel reservations (20%), followed by Germans (11%), Britons (9%), Australians (8%), and Canadians (7%). 

 

Solo travel is fantastic for women’s empowerment and growth. Women obtain a feeling of autonomy by traveling alone and not relying on others. Female solo travel also allows individuals to develop a new sense of self. Solo travel pushes you out of your comfort zone and creates confidence. Sharing solo travel experiences on social media or with friends might inspire other women to travel alone and reduce the stigma.

Big Piggyy

"Show me the MONEY!!!" – Jerry Maguire

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