In its 2025 State of Solo Travel report, Hostelworld revealed that women are more likely than men to travel on their own without either family or friends.

Indeed, 60 percent of travellers who go on trips alone are biologically female or identify as female.

Travelling solo is something of a declaration of independence for women, especially those between the ages of 18 and 35, as it gives them the opportunity to see the world, step out of their comfort zones, and make new and life-changing discoveries.

However, the same report notes that up to 55 percent of women travelling alone expressed concerns as to their safety, especially in South Asia, Africa, West Asia, and Eastern Europe.

In which case, we have to ask: what are tourism boards, travel companies, and accommodation providers doing to help women travelling alone feel safer?

What the industry stands to lose if it doesn’t care for women

Before we get into how travel and hospitality can make travelling alone safer for women, we need to take a closer look at what they stand to lose if they don’t.

A recent Hotelagio report revealed that the global women’s travel market is now worth US$125 billion per annum and the sector’s growth is on an upward trajectory.

Solo female travel, in particular, is a booming sector as it stands to make up to 71 percent of the total number of those travelling alone globally.

At the same time, whether for themselves or for family, friends, and corporate groups, women now make up to 82 percent of decisions related to travel, especially when it comes to budgets, destinations, accommodation, and even transportation.

So just imagine how things would end up if travel, tourism, and hospitality firms didn’t put measures into place to keep these intrepid female travellers safe; the losses would be tremendous.

Relevant measures

A report published in Q1-2026 by the Tourism and Society Think Tank showed that women’s safety is a cornerstone for building the future of global tourism.

The report clearly states:

“A significant majority of survey respondents admit that safety is the primary filter before confirming any reservation, even surpassing traditionally dominant factors such as price or a central location. This finding compels companies within the sector to rethink their value proposition, understanding that the concept of luxury or quality is no longer measured solely by the aesthetics of facilities or the exclusivity of services, but by an establishment's ability to generate an environment of absolute trust and proactive protection.”

Global hospitality providers have been working on improving safety features specifically for women travellers and these have ranged from training staff on gender sensitivity to putting a greater emphasis on individual privacy and security.

Mitigating the risk of attack on female guests has led to the following changes for many hotels:

• A more secure check-in procedure and proper access limitation through written room numbers rather than saying them aloud within earshot of anyone nearby. This is further bolstered by the use of smartkeys or keyless entry systems;
• Floors dedicated to female guests only have become a major trend in recent years, and some properties which have yet to implement such measures opt to position women near elevators and fire escapes to give them an emergency exit when necessary;
• Visible security positioned around a property 24/7 is also a good deterrent against troublemakers, as is the installation of more advanced and highly secure systems. Offering emergency contact services at the disposal of female guests is also appreciated; and
• Amenities specific to women in the form of better-quality hair-dryers, the availability of period products, and dedicated women’s only desks also go a long way in making women travelling alone feel safer and cared for, enabling them to enjoy their trip without so much stress.