Solo female travel has shifted from a niche segment to a mainstream force, with new data and operator insights indicating it will be a key driver of tourism trends in 2026.
A 2025 Booking.com survey found that more than 60 per cent of American women plan to travel solo within the next two years, with women aged over 45 representing the fastest-growing cohort. U.S. travel insurers have reported a parallel 35 per cent year-on-year increase in solo female travel insurance purchases, making it the fastest-growing traveller category in the country.
While the numbers point to strong growth, operators say the more significant change lies in traveller behaviour and motivation.
Women are increasingly moving away from checklist sightseeing and fast-paced itineraries, instead prioritising journeys built around emotional reset, cultural immersion and meaningful connection. Wellness retreats, culture-first programs and community-driven experiences are outperforming traditional “see-everything” holidays, particularly among women experiencing midlife transitions, loss, reinvention or new independence.
This shift is also influencing destination choices. Rather than headline cities and high-traffic hubs, women are gravitating towards places that offer depth, safety and a stronger sense of place. Examples include Moloka‘i over Maui, the Dolomites instead of Rome, and regional, food-focused travel in China rather than rapid city-to-city touring.
Girls’ Guide to the World, a women-only travel company founded by award-winning travel expert Doni Belau, has positioned its newly released 2026 collection of small-group trips around these changing preferences. Belau has spent close to two decades studying women’s travel behaviour, designing itineraries for tens of thousands of women, and tracking the evolution of the category.
One emerging pattern identified through long-term observation is a growing cohort of women over 45 who are increasingly decisive in their travel choices, often booking trips independently before informing family and friends. The trend reflects a broader shift in how independence and autonomy are being expressed through travel.
As demand for solo female travel continues to accelerate, the segment is increasingly shaping product design, destination development and itinerary planning across the industry. Rather than focusing on volume or pace, the trend points towards a future defined by intention, connection and personal meaning — with women playing a central role in redefining how and why people travel.
