A new survey created by social media collective, #WeGoSolo* founded by Mariellen Ward of Breathe Dream Go and budget accommodation specialists HostelBookers shows that despite recent negative media attention, women still love to travel alone. Findings from the “Going It Alone” survey show women balance their desire for freedom and adventure with a healthy sense of caution.
More than 1,000 women responded to the June 2013 survey, revealing that:
Female solo travellers are adventurous
82% of women surveyed said they had travelled alone.- “Freedom” (28%), a “sense of adventure” (17%) and “learning about yourself” (15%) were cited by respondents as the top reasons for travelling solo.
- 54% have travelled solo for a month or longer.
- Female solo travellers are concerned about safety, and tend to change their behaviour when travelling solo:
- “Safety concerns,” “fear of loneliness” and “pressure from family” were the three top reasons cited for NOT travelling solo.
- 54% said they project a more confident attitude when they travel solo so they are not seen as targets.
- 46% limit their alcohol intake when travelling alone.
- 37% of solo female travellers go home earlier at night, while 29% of women dress more conservatively while travelling solo and 15% said they don’t do anything differently.
One of the most interesting results was the answer to the question: “What is the most important bit of advice to give to someone thinking of travelling solo?” By a wide margin, 40% said, “Be open to people, experiences and cultures.”
The survey also revealed that the Europe, South America, USA, and Oceania were the most desired countries for solo travel while women were least likely to travel solo to the Middle East, Africa, and China. India provoked strong feelings both ways, polling as one of the ‘most desired’ and ‘least likely to travel to’ solo destinations.
*Travel bloggers Mariellen of Breathe Dream Go, Amanda Williams of A Dangerous Business, Sherry Ott of Ottsworld and Shivya Nath of The Shooting Star are the four main ambassadors of the social movement.
Check here for survey results
#WeGoSolo is an online movement to support and encourage female solo travellers to travel safely, wisely and well. The weekly #WeGoSolo tweetchat is on Wednesday at 11 am EST. The Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/WeGoSolo. A website is coming soon.
HostelBookers is the leading budget accommodation website with over 22,000 hostels and budget properties on its website in 3,500 destinations across the world, including female friendly hostels.
I am a solo female traveler. I am one of those on the side of ‘would not travel to India alone’. I went this past March and although I had a great experience (I traveled with a large group), it is a country I would feel most comfortable traveling with someone to.