As a woman, you are met with a very different experience than men who travel alone and that’s not to say that a man travelling solo is completely safe, as travelling alone comes with a whole set of risks that no one is immune to but it’s important to shed light on the fact that being a woman comes with its own battles that unfortunately we all can’t afford, whether it’s safety issues or resources.
So that’s why we’ve come here today, it’s to talk about how the tourism industry is changing due to the rising number of women who don’t want to be scared anymore and desire to explore the world as their fellow male companions have.
As a woman, the thought of travelling on my own leaves me with much anxiety and a huge part of this is my safety. I’m not the strongest or most intimidated individual and that can sometimes be transferred to an easy target, so I was curious to see how all of these women have built up the courage to go and explore so I’ve decided to put together not only a list of encouragement for you jet setters but also to enlighten those who might think things haven’t changed.
First up, we will dive into the main reason why women are put off by travelling solo in the first place.
Safety and Security Concerns
Accommodation
The same stands for whether you are going from an array of hotels, Airbnb or keeping it cheap in hostels. There is always a risk to staying in these establishments but they’ve decided to upgrade and go the extra mile now, especially with new technologies and women travellers sharing their unsafe experiences online. Everyone has upped their game.
There are extra tools and precautions establishments have put in place, such as female-only hostels and the rise of women offering their own accommodation, guest houses and spare rooms on secure apps such as Airbnb. The world of women in travel is becoming more accessible and safe with these extra bits, which really puts everyone at ease. Not to mention that these apps and websites are becoming more secure, it’s always a dread that falls at the back of my mind that I’m going to turn up and the place no longer exists or that I’ve not actually made the reservation.
Just to be more secure, I’d recommend using a bank you trust when booking things like accommodations in advance. For example, Revolut scam refunds haven’t been painted out in the best way, so ensure any big payments are double-checked but also used somewhere you can get a refund. These added bits of protection are not only necessary but they also give peace of mind.
Safer Travel Resources
There are now multiple variations of Uber and Bolt around the world, making travel that much safer. While this isn’t the same everywhere you go, there are ways for you to double-check before you embark on your journey, such as review systems and emergency contact details if things have gone off track.
Tours and Activities
Whether you’ve arranged a private or group tour, there are procedures put in place now that ensure there are no unsafe areas, such as avoiding isolated areas in the dark, and they are always certified to ensure that everyone is comfortable.
Communities and Access
Another fear that women go through when they are about to travel solo is the fear of not meeting anyone that they can connect with but feel safe and comfortable around. What makes us all feel safe is being surrounded by good people who want to enjoy life and have fun, while this might seem easy, everyone can get shy at times and it’s scary putting yourself out there and connecting with people who don’t have the same morals and values as you.
Female Travel Groups
The beauty of social media is that there are groups for everything and of course, there is a female solo traveller group available for anyone to join. This allows you to connect with people online before you have even embarked on your journeys. Not only that, but it can give you peace of mind that the areas you are exploring have women going through the same experiences.
There are Instagram pages that are purely dedicated to helping you find your people while you are finding out secrets everywhere around the world.
Female Friendly Hostles
Another method not only helps you feel safer but also provides you with a chance to meet other women who are travelling. You never know; you might meet a group of women who are heading off to the same destination as you or they might inspire you to take a whole new route. There are opportunities given by the tourist industry for women to feel safer and enjoy themselves alone.
Marketing
Once it was only popular for men to travel solo, the tourist industry has now flipped the switch, and I have firsthand been retargeted many times for women’s travel pages, all in hopes of helping women solo travellers connect with others and encourage them to take the risk.
These marketing tactics are essentially empowering women and dispelling any safety concerns that they might have had.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the tourist industry is recognising the economic power and specific needs of women solo travellers. By prioritising safety, fostering connection, offering personalised experiences, and utilising target marketing, the industry is creating a more welcoming and enriching environment for women to explore the world on their own terms.
Author Bio
Olivia is an accomplished Australian travel blogger and a Campaign Manager at Flight Centre Travel Group. She is currently based in Brisbane, where she balances her full-time career with her passion for travelling the world. Olivia created her blog, Defining Decade, as a platform to empower young women to make the most of their 20s and build a fulfilling life through travel. She firmly believes that your 20s are the perfect time to explore, make unforgettable memories, and discover who you truly are, and what better way than through travel!
