It’s a familiar Friday feeling. The laptop snaps shut, and I start packing for a solo weekend in Rishikesh. Over the past few years, I have met many women travellers in India whose journeys reflect confidence, curiosity, and care. According to recent tourism research, nearly half of all global travellers are women — a shift that’s redefining how the world experiences exploration and independence.
As a lifestyle creator and storyteller, I have seen this transformation unfold closely. From weekend retreats to mindful travel experiences, each journey blends rest with reflection. Every trip I have taken or written about reaffirms one thing — women are redefining travel through intention and independence.
According to Booking.com’s 20251 study, 73% of Indians believe women now play a more active role in travel planning than ever before. The Ministry of Tourism is also strengthening women’s participation through initiatives with FICCI FLO and TAAI. It promotes safety, community-based tourism, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for women across India. This is not just a number; it is a shift I have witnessed through my own journeys and interviews.
Today, solo travel for women has become a quiet revolution. Guided by sustainable travel values, it is reshaping how freedom and exploration are defined in India.
Also Read:
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- Economic Impact of Tourism: Global Trends and Recovery in 2025
Why Are More Women Designing Their Own Journeys in India?
Indian women are no longer waiting to be taken somewhere. They plan, book, and personalise their own routes with purpose. Across metros and small towns, women trip planners are transforming how travel looks, feels, and is experienced.
What Is Female Tourism?
Female tourism2 refers to the growing trend of women of all ages travelling for leisure — from solo adventures to girlfriend getaways. Rooted in feminist research since the 1970s, it examines how equality, empowerment, and representation influence women’s motivations, safety perceptions, and travel behaviours. Understanding this background helps tourism studies capture how modern women travel with greater independence and intention.
Why Are More Women Planning Trips in India?
In my years of documenting travel stories, I have seen a clear shift. Indian women today plan trips not from convenience but from curiosity, confidence, and creative control. A growing sense of independence and digital confidence is changing decision-making.
- Four in ten women are now actively involved in trip planning.
- 33% take the lead for family and group travel.
- Safety, culture, and sustainability rank higher than luxury.
This growing confidence is redefining travel priorities. Women are increasingly drawn to journeys that emphasize safety, self-discovery, sustainability, and shared experiences that reflect mindful, modern exploration.
The choices are influencing trends for travel and tourism across platforms and brands. From heritage walks in Lucknow to eco-retreats in Coorg, travel today is more intentional, experiential, and ethical.
How Digital Discovery Shapes Travel Choices
Digital tools have become the modern compass for women trip planners. From Google Search to YouTube and Maps, travellers now design itineraries from lived experiences shared online. Technology replaces guesswork with guidance, helping women travel smarter and safer.
“From AI-powered discovery on Search to YouTube as India’s top source of travel inspiration, 68% of Indian travellers use YouTube for ideas and one in three explore destinations on Google Maps or Google Travel before booking.”- Shaurab Kapadia, Vertical Head – Travel at Google
This digital shift gives women control. They research through authentic travel influencers, compare real reviews, and make informed decisions before setting off.
Over the years, I have observed how data and design together empower today’s travellers. They are intuitive yet analytical, blending research with spontaneity. The rise of these women trip architects signals a new phase of self-assured exploration.
Takeaway: Women plan with curiosity and control. Digital tools, real reviews, and flexible work unlock confident decision-making. Safety, culture, and sustainability now outrank luxury, shaping a more intentional, experience-rich way of travelling across India’s cities and small towns.
From Family Planners to Solo Explorers
For years, travel meant family vacations and group plans. Today, many Indian women are rewriting that story. Solo travel for women is no longer viewed as risky or rebellious; it has become an act of introspection and independence.
What Drives Women to Travel Solo?
Women across India are embracing solo travel as a path to renewal and rediscovery. According to insights a rising share of solo female travellers in India now book stays for reflection, freedom, and meaningful connection. Solo travel in India is a trend that is redefining independence across Asia. A ResearchGate study3 categorizes solo women travellers into distinct types, highlighting how motivations vary from self-growth to cultural immersion and autonomy. Women are blending curiosity with courage and shaping the top women travel trends of 2025 through purpose-driven exploration.
When you embark on a backpacking trip you’ll find: women, men, gap year students, career people on sabbatical, couples, solo travellers and groups of friends. It really is for everyone.” – Brit Adventures
I met Megha at a social event a few months ago — a soft-spoken school principal from Gurugram who had just returned from Gokarna. Over coffee, she told me how that journey changed her more than any seminar or self-help book ever could. “I took my first solo trip at 40,” she said, smiling. “It wasn’t about running away; it was about arriving at myself.”
Hostels Redefining Community and Safety for Women Travellers
I also know someone from the corporate world, who embodies this mindful independence — Medhavi Davda, a software engineer by profession and an adventurer by passion. Her story bridges the gap between the corporate world and conscious living.
Most women travellers in India, like Medhavi believes that exploration isn’t just about new destinations — it’s about reimagining how we share spaces. Medhavi loves how hostels have redefined the idea of community. Unlike hotels where lobbies are formal and distant, hostel lounges are alive — strangers play games, share meals, and exchange stories.
At The Hosteller Lonavala, I met travellers, bikers, and hikers from different cities, and by night it felt like we had all known each other for years – Medhavi Davda, Solo Traveller
What’s equally reassuring is how hostels prioritise women’s safety. The Hosteller’s growing network of women-friendly stays makes solo travel feel safer and more approachable. A 2023 study notes 4that safety concerns, limited infrastructure, and societal bias remain major challenges for solo women travellers in India. The safe environment gives women the confidence to explore independently while connecting with a trusted community.
Hostels, once seen as budget stopovers, are now transforming common spaces into interactive, inclusive, and safe environments. These have become vibrant hubs of storytelling, creativity, and connection. For many women, they’ve become a modern extension of freedom — where independence and belonging coexist beautifully.
How Women-Led Groups Build Courage and Connection
For many first-time travellers, joining a women-led collective provides both structure and safety. Companies like F5 Escapes, WOW Club, and the Ladakh Women’s Travel Company are inspiring this shift by building ecosystems of trust, leadership, and empowerment.
“I started the company because tourism across India is mostly male dominated. When I began leading treks above 6,000 metres, tourists would say they’d never seen a female guide. That’s when I realised it was time to build an all-women company to train and encourage Ladakhi women as guides. Today, I have twenty-seven women working with me, and seeing their confidence grow each season makes me happiest.” – Thinlas Chorol, founder of Ladakh Women’s Travel Company
These stories go beyond entrepreneurship. They reveal how leadership, opportunity, and representation intersect to strengthen India’s tourism landscape. When women lead, safety improves, local communities benefit, and new generations see travel as a path to confidence rather than constraint.
Takeaway: Women-led initiatives like these transform adventure into awareness. The women-led collectives blend sisterhood and structure: verified stays, transparent itineraries, and mentors who model confidence. First-timers gain companionship without losing independence—turning hesitation into courage and widening the circle for those who follow.
Why Women-Led Travel Groups Matter
Women-led travel collectives combine safety with sisterhood. They offer verified accommodations, structured itineraries, and shared experiences that ease hesitation for first-time travellers. The result is a blend of companionship, confidence, and courage that encourages women to explore farther.
At Wander Womaniya we started with a simple dream — to make solo travel easier, safer and more enjoyable for women.
Key Reflection: Every woman who travels solo becomes a quiet mentor for another who still hesitates—proof that courage multiplies when women travel on their own terms.
How Is Spiritual Tourism in India Becoming More Mindful?
Across India, spiritual tourism is evolving into a gentler, more conscious form of travel. It is no longer limited to temples or pilgrimages. Today, women travellers seek journeys that combine mindfulness with inner healing with environmental care and cultural connection.
Why Is Spiritual Tourism in India Changing?
Across India’s sacred towns—Rishikesh, Varanasi, Dharamshala, and Auroville—spiritual travel is no longer about rituals but self-restoration. Women are seeking stillness, meaningful connection, and mindful ways to align inner peace with conscious living.
According to Statista, India’s wellness tourism market is projected to reach USD 22 billion by 2025. This surge is driven by travellers who value mindfulness, authenticity, and sustainable living.
Harshala, a solo traveller, recalls how Varanasi transformed her understanding of solitude. The city, she says, taught her that spirituality isn’t found in rituals but in moments of quiet connection.
Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat, where the sunrise meets music, prayers, and movement. But nothing compared to the stillness of my boat ride — when the first rays touched the banks, the city seemed to awaken with me. I hadn’t expected peace to look like light dancing on the Ganga.
For her, Varanasi became more than a destination. It was a reminder that stillness is a form of strength—and that spirituality can be as simple as learning to pause. This quieter way of travelling is guiding stay choices, too.
Women Embracing Satvik Travel for Spiritual and Sustainable Wellness
The rise of Satvik Travel and other eco-retreats reflects how mindfulness now intersects with sustainability. Women increasingly prefer stays that use solar power, serve local vegetarian meals, and support nearby communities.
These mindful travel experiences are redefining what spirituality means for the modern woman. The journey is less about seeking answers and more about finding alignment—with the planet, with others, and with oneself.
Women across generations are embracing these healing paths that restore both inner calm and environmental balance.
What Do Women Travellers in India Value Most Today?
For today’s women travellers, safety and comfort are not luxuries. They are the foundation of freedom. A secure environment allows curiosity and creativity to flourish, turning an ordinary trip into an empowering experience.
What Do Women Prioritise While Booking Stays?
According to Booking.com’s 2025 report, 82% prefer verified properties, 75% look for flexible cancellations, and 61% value local immersion options. These numbers reveal how modern travellers make decisions not just with wanderlust but with awareness.
“I always choose women-run homestays because they feel safer and more personal. When the host understands my needs, it adds comfort and connection to the journey.” – Niharika, Artist, Jaipur (name changed).
A growing number of Indian women now prefer boutique stays, eco-friendly hotels, and experiential lodges that reflect local culture. The trend is moving away from generic luxury toward genuine hospitality—community dining, craft sessions, and storytelling experiences.
How Are Digital Platforms Transforming Women’s Travel in India?
Platforms are responding too. Several travel startups now highlight women-owned stays and add layers of travel safety for women through real-time support, verified hosts, and transparent reviews. Airbnb’s 2025 India 5Insights Report also notes that women hosts earned more than ₹260 crore in 2024, highlighting how digital platforms are expanding opportunities for women in the travel economy.
This movement is more than a trend; it is a trust revolution. Freedom begins when assurance replaces anxiety, and women travellers reward brands that value both authenticity and accountability.
Industry Responds — Designing for Women, by Women
The travel industry is undergoing a quiet redesign. As more women plan and lead their own journeys, brands are reshaping experiences to prioritise safety, comfort, and community over convention.
How the Industry is Adapting
Hotels and tour companies now recognise that women travellers are not a niche but a powerful mainstream audience. Many properties have introduced women-only floors, secure transfers, and local guides trained in gender-sensitive travel support.
More and more women travellers in India take charge of their journeys—from planning to boarding. The travel industry is rethinking how experiences are designed. Airports, hotels, and tour companies are introducing gender-inclusive features that prioritise safety, comfort, and accessibility. This evolution marks a larger shift toward creating travel ecosystems that truly support women on the move.
Global Initiatives Redefining Women’s Travel Experiences
Across India and around the world, travel brands are designing programs that go beyond itineraries. The mission is to focus on inclusion, safety, and shared growth. This ensures women travellers experience both freedom and meaningful connection wherever they go.
- She Travels curates small-group cultural immersions for women professionals seeking meaningful connections and safe exploration.
- Intrepid Travel’s Women’s Expeditions employ female guides across Jordan, Morocco, and India, giving travellers cultural depth through local perspectives.
- G Adventures’ Women Explorers program connects travellers with women-run homestays in Nepal and Kenya, creating shared growth for hosts and guests.
- Airbnb’s “She Hosts” campaign spotlights women entrepreneurs who transform their homes into welcoming, community-driven spaces for global travellers.
Our Women’s Expeditions aren’t just trips — they’re safe spaces for women to connect, challenge norms, and experience cultures through the stories of local women who lead them – Intrepid
The all-female expeditions highlight how thoughtfully designed experiences can spark cultural understanding and economic benefits too. When women guide, host, and share their worlds, travel transforms from sightseeing into solidarity.
Together, these initiatives prove that when design and intent meet inclusivity, travel becomes transformative—an idea echoed by industry voices championing safety, authenticity, and representation for women worldwide.
“Design and reviews matter. Women-only experiences are the next big opportunity.” – Pranav Dangi, Founder, The Hosteller
From boutique travel startups to global operators, the message is clear. Women travellers are shaping tourism through empathy, safety, and storytelling—and the world is finally learning to design for them. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council6 (2024), India’s tourism sector employs one in ten workers nationwide, with women forming a rapidly growing share of the travel and hospitality workforce.
Empowerment Through Travel — Stories That Move Others
Every journey is a story of courage. Behind every photograph or itinerary lies a quiet decision to choose oneself — to step beyond comfort and into curiosity.
Across India, women are redefining what strength and freedom look like. Through reels, podcasts, and community stories, they are reclaiming their voices and sharing how travel has shaped their self-worth. Each trip becomes a metaphor for freedom — not to escape life, but to rediscover it.
How Travel Stories Inspire a New Generation
Over the past few years, this growing culture of storytelling has turned travel into a catalyst for transformation. From weekend retreats to solo journeys, women are learning that confidence is built through experience, not instruction. Namita Mahajan, Co-Founder of TrendVisionz, reflects on how travel has changed her perspective as both a woman and a mother:
“For me, empowerment through travel is deeply personal. Watching my daughter explore the world with confidence reminds me that courage is inherited through example, not advice. When women travel, they teach fear to stay behind.” – Namita Mahajan, Co-Founder, Trendvisionz
Each woman’s journey plants a seed of belief in another — proving that empowerment begins the moment we choose to move.
The Future of Women’s Travel in India
Women’s travel in India has moved beyond empowerment — it now represents agency, inclusion, and innovation. What began as a movement for safety and self-expression is evolving into a creative, economic, and cultural force reshaping the country’s tourism landscape.
As more Indian women embrace travel for work, wellness, and wanderlust, the next decade will belong to those who design their journeys with purpose. Travellers, creators, and entrepreneurs alike are redefining what freedom looks like — from eco-retreat founders to digital storytellers, women are shaping stories of confidence, connection, and self-discovery.
Emerging Trends to Watch
- Adventure & Overlanding: More women are embracing road trips and long-distance drives, mirroring stories like Medhavi Davda’s journey from Himachal to Kerala — redefining endurance and freedom.
- Workation Culture: Hybrid work has blurred the lines between profession and passion. Women now choose hostels and homestays that offer Wi-Fi, wellness, and workspace in equal measure.
- Women-Owned Startups: Female founders are shaping hospitality through empathy and design — from women-run homestays in Himachal to boutique eco-lodges in Goa.
- Community & Skill Exchange: Hostels and collectives are becoming learning hubs, hosting yoga circles, art jams, and storytelling sessions led by women.
- Digital Storytelling: Social media is amplifying authentic narratives. Reels, podcasts, and travel blogs are turning personal experiences into movements for representation and respect.
The future of travel will not just be about destinations — it will be about design. Women are at the heart of that design, shaping journeys that are safe, soulful, and sustainable. — Anshuman Mahajan, Co-Founder, TrendVisionz
Key Insight : Women’s travel is evolving into agency, inclusion, and innovation. Expect growth in overlanding, workations, women-owned stays. These stories shape journeys that are safer, soulful, and sustainably designed.
Also Read:
- Backpacking in India: Your Ultimate Budget Voyage Guide
- Top Summer Places to Travel: You’ll Want to Book Now
FAQs: Women Travellers in India
Why is Gokarna good for solo travellers?
Gokarna offers a calm, friendly atmosphere with safe beaches, budget homestays, and welcoming locals. It is ideal for reflection, yoga, and peaceful solo experiences away from crowded tourist zones.
Why are women travelling solo more in India now?
More Indian women travel solo today because safety, flexible work schedules, and digital discovery tools allow greater independence. Travel communities and women-only groups make solo trips secure and inspiring.
What are some safe destinations for women travellers in India?
Goa, Rishikesh, Pondicherry, Coorg, and Jaipur are popular and safe for women travellers. These cities offer verified stays, friendly local communities, and well-connected transport networks, making solo and group experiences comfortable and culturally rich.
Is solo travel safe for women in India?
The Hosteller’s growing network of women-friendly stays has made solo travel feel safer and more approachable, giving women the confidence to explore new cities independently while connecting with a trusted travel community.
Conclusion
Travel is not movement but meaning. For today’s women travellers in India, every journey is a bridge between curiosity and courage. What began as a search for safety has evolved into self-expression, leadership, and empowerment.
As research suggests, women travellers today balance adventure with awareness — preparing responsibly, prioritising health, safety, and ethical choices while embracing new cultures with confidence. Their mindful decisions redefine what it means to travel well: responsibly, safely, and sustainably.
The rise of women-led travel groups, mindful tourism, and sustainable journeys reflects a deeper shift — from dependency to direction, from participation to purpose — showing how women travellers are shaping the future of global tourism through awareness and empathy.
Every journey taken with courage becomes an act of empowerment.
At TrendVisionz, we celebrate the planners, dreamers, and seekers — women travellers in India who continue to transform tourism for the future.
Additional Resources:
- Booking.com. (2025). How India Travels 2025: Annual Travel Trends Report. Booking Holdings Inc. https://www.booking.com/ ↩︎
- Ural, M., & Bozok, D. (2024). Solo female travel motivations and risk perceptions: An exploratory study. Heliyon, 10(12), e37564. ↩︎
- Wilson, E., & Harris, C. (2006). A typology of solo independent women travellers. International Journal of Tourism Research, 8(3), 168–182. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.573 ↩︎
- Nair, S., & George, S. (2023). A study of common challenges faced by women as solo travelers in India. ResearchGate ↩︎
- Airbnb. (2025). How Women Are Powering India’s Travel Economy. Airbnb Newsroom. https://news.airbnb.com/en-in/ ↩︎
- World Travel & Tourism Council. (2024). India Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2024 Report. World Travel & Tourism Council. https://wttc.org/research/economic-impact ↩︎
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Nupur Mahajan is a Fashion & Lifestyle Influencer, Digital Creator, and regular guest writer at TrendVisionz. Known for her impeccable style and relatable storytelling, she blends global fashion trends with everyday elegance.
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