By Sunidhi Gupta

Abstract

Recently, solo travelling has become a widely known and accepted concept as people believe in enjoying their own company, which previously wasn’t the case. The increasing trend of solo travelling, as data reflects, is to overcome the stress and depression in life and to get positive change, empowering people more. However, in the case of women solo travellers, there is not much data or literature which helps study the trends of female solo travellers. This article tries to analyse data from sources and understand the challenges and opportunities of solo travelling and how it has evolved for females from the past. The article will also discuss the media representation of solo female travellers.

INTRODUCTION

Travelling is an imperative aspect of life. People have different understandings of travelling. Some of them travel for relaxation and leisure experiences, while others want to have an adventurous experience. However, the concept of travelling and ‘tourist’ is a dynamic one that has constantly been evolving. Previously, based on a homogenous mass community of people who travelled for pleasure or business, with time, tourists have become more fragmented and diversified. Today’s trending market categories include individuals who want to travel alone, particularly ladies who desire to handle all aspects of their travel arrangements. It’s a rare chance to discover oneself in a completely new environment free from the influence of the past. 

Data states that women who travel alone are not lonely but brave, daring, and self-assured explorers. They travel alone for autonomy, self-fulfilment, adventure, uniqueness, and occasionally escape. They are not motivated by the false belief that they are alone but by deliberate and distinct goals. There is no doubt that research states that in most households, women are responsible for planning their family holidays but generally get restricted only to planning for others. But with this change, they are responsible for organising their travel independently, thinking about their happiness and interests. 

PAST OVERVIEW OF SOLO WOMEN TRAVELLING

Travelling has been a historic activity for various purposes. However, solo travelling was never encouraged, especially for women considering safety and comfort purposes. However, the goals of modern women have been influenced by numerous historical women, particularly those who lived in the 18th century. Many have demonstrated how travelling has improved their lives and shows that gender inequality can no longer prevent them from travelling. According to studies, Egypt is where the idea of travelling alone originated. A lady was known for having written the first detailed account of a trip to the Holy Land. Women’s leisure studies has progressively developed, paralleling similar work in several women’s studies fields.

According to a study, women’s passion for self-governance tourism is related to their desire to push themselves, learn about self-governance, engage with new people, and venture beyond their comfort zones. In contrast to previous times, women have begun to make their travels more well-known in society, increasing the number of independent female travellers worldwide. The feminist movement has also altered perceptions of women’s leisure time by highlighting the significance of their lives and elevating their sense of social status. Women travel alone more frequently than males in many countries, and if given worthwhile experiences, they would rather travel to different places regularly. 

MOTIVATION & CHALLENGES FOR SOLO WOMEN TRAVELLERS 

Female travellers cited flexibility and freedom as their primary reasons for taking a solo vacation in a 2022 global poll. Roughly nine out of ten respondents stated this as the reason they travelled alone that year. Another common reason (cited by 83 percent of the sample) for going on a solitary trip was to escape obligations and routines. Further, the 2022 global poll found that female solo travellers’ top interests were sightseeing in different cultures. When asked what their best travel activity was that year, 74% of respondents stated it was this. Experiencing the outdoors and wildlife was another well-liked pastime, indicated by 71% of the participants. However, data in 2022 also showcased that female travellers avoided flying alone primarily due to concerns about their safety, according to a global poll. 69% of the women reported being concerned about their safety while travelling alone. Other prominent barriers included higher expenditures and a fear of getting lost, as reported by 50% and 65% of respondents, respectively.

Apart from safety, other reasons making solo travel challenging for women include curfews and constantly changing their plans according to the time of day to ensure they don’t have to travel in the middle of the night or late into the evening. Without a doubt, safety concerns prevent us from making the most of our time. There is always a concern about the basic facilities and hygiene. Infrastructure is also a concern for girls travelling alone. Not only that, there is constant questioning on how the girls’ clothes and ‘society’ call girls out and slut shaming them. 

PERSONAL INSIGHTS ON SOLO TRAVELLING

To conclude, with the insights of solo female travellers and what they follow to navigate their journey. An interview and blog article by a solo traveller, travelling since 2012, explains how one should have a reason to travel solo. It might look cool to be on your own, but it is tricky and a work of responsibility. There has to be a deep and meaningful reason to travel by oneself. At the same time, it is also helpful to take a trip solo to identify if one enjoys travel and solicitude or suffers and fears loneliness. One should avoid travelling alone if there is a constant need for companionship because of the unique challenges one encounters. One important aspect of solo travelling, especially for women, is to follow their instincts. It is important because people always try to discourage and make one doubt their intention, but one has to trust themselves, take the leap of faith and enjoy what they’re out for. Finally, to help the industry better serve this growing market segment and, more importantly, to disseminate this knowledge beyond the wider academic community to raise awareness of women’s travel and effect genuine change, future research must improve our understanding of the needs and preferences of single women travellers on a national level.

Author’s Bio

Sunidhi Gupta is a student at Jindal Global Law School in her third year of BA. LLB (Hons.).

Image Source: https://feminisminindia.com/2019/08/30/female-solo-travel-a-step-into-adulthood-and-its-independence/