Women in Southeast Asia are increasingly embracing the concept of independent travel, a new study has revealed.
According to the findings of TripAdvisor’s inaugural ‘Women and the World Travel Survey’, more than a third (36%) of female respondents from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia said they travel alone for leisure, with 43% planning at least two solo trips this year.
Dispelling fears that Asia might not always be a safe destination for solo female travellers, an overwhelming 81% of women polled said they are planning to take a solo holiday within the region, followed by 36% who plan to explore Europe. A further 36% are planning to take a break within their home country.
Of those who have travelled alone, three-quarters (75%) reported that the experience left them feeling more confident, allowed them to learn something about themselves, and made them more aware of their surroundings (the top three changes expressed).
The survey also found that 41% of respondents go on leisure trips with other women, with more than half (53%) planning at least two trips this year. Favoured activities when travelling with other women include shopping (76%), experiencing local cuisine (67%) and beauty and wellness activities (54%).
“Women in Southeast Asia are embracing the positive effects from travelling by themselves or with other women,” said Cindy Tan, TripAdvisor’s vice president for Asia Pacific. “With female travel on the rise whether for business or leisure, it is clear that this traveller segment can no longer be ignored.”
The TripAdvisor study polled 636 female travellers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia from 26 February to 5 March 2014.
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