More Than a Moment: Why Women’s Travel is Here to Stay

In recent years, women’s travel has gained significant momentum, transitioning from a niche market to a booming sector poised for long-term growth. Women are increasingly seeking enriching travel experiences that foster personal connections, cultural immersion and empowering connections with like-minded individuals. This surge in women-only trips, adventure tours, and wellness retreats reflects a changing landscape in the travel industry, where safety, comfort, and community are paramount.

To find out more, we’ve gathered the perspectives of travel professionals as to why women’s travel is not just a passing trend but a sustainable movement that is reshaping the way we explore the world, break barriers, and create lasting memories. So, why is women’s travel more than just a moment in time? Let’s dive in.

1. Because the numbers say so

“Year on year, the statistics are showing that women’s travel is on the rise across several touch points,” says Ulla Hefel Böhler, TTC COO, “and we’re seeing this trend for ourselves in our everyday business.

“The travel industry is experiencing a significant rise in demand for solo travel, especially among women aged 55 and older, with factors like premium travel experiences and sustainable tourism becoming increasingly important. Additionally, the influence and purchasing power of women in the travel sector are on the rise.”

Ulla exploring the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy.

According to the industry intelligence platform Skift, 82% of all travel decisions are made by women, and women are projected to control 75% of discretionary spending by 2028.

“Couple this growing economic power with the fact that women are travelling more frequently, and women’s travel is definitely here to stay. It is an exciting time to be creating tailored travel experiences. Crucial for us as travel operators is understanding and catering to women’s evolving preferences, offering travel that is fun, easy, empowering and environmental conscious.

“At Insight Vacations we’ve responded to this demand with the addition of 11 new Women Only Tours to our portfolio across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.. Created by women, for women and perfect for the solo traveler or female friends, they offer a safe, premium experience with the chance to see some superb destinations and across the globe, meeting inspiring women along the way.”

2. Because Women’s travel is fabulous and fun

Travel Experiences Manager Christy Taylor is the expert sourcing experiences for our new Scenic Scotland, a Women Only Tour. “With all the thoughts that goes into women’s travel experiences, I like to think we are igniting or indeed reigniting a passion that can transform women’s lives, leading to more and more adventures” she says.

“When I was looking for experiences this new Women Only tour, I wanted to find options that were fun for women to do as a group, as well as opportunities to meet inspiring individuals, particularly those who are groundbreaking in fields traditionally dominated by men. We also know that our guests really appreciate the chance to connect and speak with someone local to the area.

“On Scenic Scotland, a Women Only Tour, one of the women the group will be meeting is Julie Hill, the first and still the only woman to have won the Supreme International Sheepdog Championships since it began in 1906. She won it in 1996, amongst many other accolades and has gone on to become an acclaimed dog trainer and breeder. Julie is a great personality and will share her experiences and demonstration videos with guests and be open to all questions. She offers a truly unique perspective in a traditionally male-dominated field.

TTC Travel Experiences Manager Christy at one of her favourite spots, the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

“The thing I love about these tours is that they are perfect for all kinds of women travelers, and you just have to show up and enjoy yourself. You’ll meet so many women of a similar age and life stage. Bringing women together allows them to bond and create lasting memories while traveling, which can be incredibly meaningful.

“Another remarkable individual I discovered for the Scenic Scotland, Women Only Tour is Louise Marshall, a talented female bagpiper who has gained quite a bit of fame for her performances, including for the Queen, the Pope, and other royals. When people think of a bagpiper, they often picture a man standing in a hat, indeed in all my visits to Edinburgh, I have never encountered a female bagpiper.

“With a bubbly personality and bags of enthusiasm, her passion for her art is evident. More than just a talk, she will teach guests how to play the bagpipes, maybe even inspiring a new hobby, but definitely lots of laughs!

DISCOVER MORE ON

Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour TOUR

View Tour

3. Because the love of travel is passed down through generations

“Women’s travel is here to stay as it gets handed down through generations. There’s nothing quite like passing on the love,” says Travel Director Margot Björck.

“I inherited a love of travel from both my mother and father, who were university professors in the field of pedagogics. I accompanied them on several trips abroad; my mother traveled extensively for work and pleasure, sometimes alone. She showed me that anything is possible, and upon her return, she radiated an infectious positive energy.

“From an early age, it was clear to me that some experiences can only be lived, not explained. You can read about things or watch shows on television, but actually traveling—being able to touch, smell, and taste the world—is truly special. This makes us better people by fostering a greater understanding of other cultures. I learned this from my parents, and I pass it down to my daughters, who travel frequently and love it, although I still need to work on their packing skills!

Margot and her two daughters at Trivoli Gardens in Copenhagen Denmark.

“It’s not just about traveling together; I also share experiences in other ways. For example, I recently returned from 10 days in New Zealand on my own. It’s important for my daughters to know they can do anything and go anywhere they choose—there are no limits. They notice the change in me when I return from a trip, igniting their desire to travel further. The dynamic shifts depending on who you travel with.

“I think the abundance of women’s travel options that are available is very exciting. You shouldn’t feel limited to traveling only with other women or just with your partner. The focus should be on the trip you desire at any given time. The special aspect of women-only travel is the camaraderie; you bond with your companions, and the stranger sitting next to you today can become your friend in ten days. That’s how it works, and that’s one of the real benefits of traveling together—not just the places, but the people.”

DISCOVER MORE ON

Northern Capitals, a Women-Only Tour TOUR

View Tour

4. Because little beats the power of female friendships

“Women’s travel is so special because it’s women’s travel, there’s nothing quite like the friendships we form,” says Lottie Norman, Chief Marketing Officer for Insight Vacations and sister brands at The Travel Corporation. “These are bonds built on laughter, resilience, and a mutual agreement that no matter what happens. Be it bad breakups, questionable fashion choices, or finding our way in a foreign country, we’ve got each other’s backs. When women support women, there is literally nothing we can’t handle.

“Female friendships aren’t just about having someone to share memories with; they’re about having someone who makes you braver, who hypes you up when you need it most and, when the chips are down, reminds you that everything is going to be just fine. I don’t think that women will ever stop yearning for that – the best thing is you can find these connections everywhere you go, and travel is one of the most enjoyable ways.

Lottie in Vietnam, one of her many adventures.

“One of my favorite travel memories is journeying through Thailand with my oldest school friend after university. We had enthusiasm, oversized luggage, and absolutely zero idea what we were doing. No pre-booked connecting flights, no real plan, just an adventurous spirit and a belief that “it’ll all work out.” Spoiler: it didn’t always!

“Even now, 20 years later, those stories are the ones we tell over and over. The joy of immersing ourselves in a completely new culture, the strangers who became friends, and the realization that you can make your travel dreams a reality. There’s an unspoken sisterhood between women who travel. It’s a bond built on shared experiences, stretching our comfort zone, living out our dreams with so many laughs.

5. Because the future is all to play for

“The next decade of women’s travel is all about empowerment, connection, and adventure on their terms” says Lottie. “Women-only tours, solo trips, and community driven experiences will soar, with safety, sustainability, and deeper cultural connections at the forefront. With Insight Vacations’ Women-Only Tours, we’re already leading this shift, creating journeys where women can explore the world together, confidently and authentically.”

“Traveling in different constellations on different trips will become the norm, adding more opportunities instead of limiting ourselves” predicts Margot. “We will be even more adventurous and also explore less travelled paths. Doing activities together like hikes to stay active, cooking to stay healthy, and nature and culture explorations to stay amazed. I think we will open up even more to our fellow travelers realizing what an important thing a little talk to a person with different perspective in life can be, how we grow by being open to others: people as well as places.” 

“Several trends likely to shape the way women explore the world, ensuring women’s travel will continue to evolve and grow” explains Ulla. “Solo female travel will continue to rise along with multi-generational female travel, we will see more mothers, daughters and granddaughters travelling together. The growth of women-only travel experiences designed for women by women, along with the ever increasing trend for sustainable and purpose-driven travel will also drive the female market.

“Digital nomadism, remote work and financial independence will further enable women to combine passion and profession, while advances in technology and AI, such as smart travel apps and wearable tech, offer ever increasing safety and convenience, greatly enhancing the female travel experience.”

Do you like the sound of a world of travel without limits? Take a look at our Women Only Tours