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The Latest Female Solo Travel Statistics and Data

As the world’s original publication for solo female travel established in 1994, we regularly execute and publish solo travel studies and provide data to help provide a better understanding of the needs of female solo travelers. We also review third-party research and share data that we believe is credible and authoritative, noting that JourneyWoman CEO Carolyn Ray has an extensive background in data analytics from her 25+ years in professional services at firms such as Interbrand). Not all data published on the Internet meets our standards.

This information serves both our global readership but also our network of women-friendly tour operators in our Women’s Travel Directory, which is the largest resource for women’s tours in the world, connecting solo women to safe, affordable travel experiences, from tours to retreats.

2021: In 2021, we published five studies on topics including Solo Safety, Budget Travel, Once-in-a-Lifetime Travel, and Solo Travel Trends. Throughout the pandemic, we surveyed our 60,000+ readers on travel readiness, intended destinations, issues and challenges to guide our editorial and work with our partners in travel. All of these studies are publicly available on our Media page.

2020: In August 2020, we published our landmark “Embracing the Unknown: The Risk and Reward of Travel” survey, which invited over 1,500 solo travelers age 50+ to share their views on post-pandemic travel, trust in the travel industry and travel preferences.

Women as Influencers in Travel

• Women make 80 to 85 percent of travel decisions and comprise two-thirds of all travellers. Our impact is significant – and it goes well beyond our role as travel consumers.
• According to the most recent Global Report on Women in Tourism, published by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in November 2019, 54 per cent of people employed globally in tourism are women.
• Tourism also affects the lives of women living in tourism destinations, empowering women as we work toward gender equality.  Tourism contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Number 5: “To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”
• Pre-pandemic, tourism was one of the fastest-growing and most important economic sectors in the world, benefitting destinations and communities worldwide, representing an estimated 10 per cent of the world’s GDP and 1 in 10 jobs globally.

Women over 50 are not ‘old’, but experienced. Not sedentary but adventurous. Not dependent but independent. Not alone but powerful. Not behind the industry, but ahead of it. These are women who challenge convention, follow their own path and wait for the rest of the world to catch up.

Women’s Solo Travel Post-Pandemic Trends

Preferred Destinations for Solo Women

Where do Solo Women Feel Safe 

The UN reports that since the outbreak of COVID-19, all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. BBC reports that ‘Covid hate crimes’ against Asian Americans are on the rise.  

In our survey, most women agreed that safety is more about a mindset, and less about the destination. Recognizing that safety is subjective, women did recommend the countries below as more or less ‘safe’, based on their own personal experience. (April 2021) 

• “Safer” destinations include: The United Kingdom and Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Netherlands. 
• “Less” safe destinations include: India, Mexico, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey
• Download the PDF here

Where Solo Women Spend on Travel

Solo women are looking for ways to save but expect to be treated the same as any other traveller – and safety, value and experience top their list of requirements.

• 44% plan to spend more on travel than in the past.
• The single supplement is the top pet peeve about travel, at 62%, followed by high airfare cost and extra baggage fees.
• 73% will pay more to feel safe when they travel
• Over 71% of women typically purchase travel insurance, with comprehensive insurance the most popular. Americans are more likely to take no insurance or just trip cancellation insurance, whereas Canadians are more likely to take just medical insurance.
• Download the full PDF here. 

How do solo women want to save on travel and where do they splurge?

• Women want to save the most on airfare and accommodation
• 46% will pay more to have their own room, and 43% will pay more to have their desired experience 
• Download the full PDF here. 

Solo Women and Travel Insurance

• Over 71% of women typically purchase travel insurance, with comprehensive insurance the most popular. Americans are more likely to take no insurance or just trip cancellation insurance, whereas Canadians are more likely to take just medical insurance. (‘Embracing the Unknown,” August 2020) 
• As a result of the pandemic, solo women are more likely to purchase comprehensive travel insurance (Source: Download the full PDF here. )

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