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Green Pearls highlights tourism industry struggling to cater for increase in women travelling solo

Green Pearls highlights tourism industry struggling to cater for increase in women travelling solo
March 2, 2023

Green Pearls, the leading source for green hotels around the world, has highlighted that with more women looking to travel independently and freely, the tourism market is struggling to keep up with the rapid development of the trend.

Tourism providers have stated that women dominate the market for solo travel - and this is true for all age groups.

What sounds scary for some at first is a dream for an increasing number of people and can be seen as the ideal way to travel. More and more women in particular want to travel independently and freely.

Interest in traveling alone has been increasing for several years now. This is reflected in the increased search volume on Google for relevant offers and tips, as well as in numerous surveys and analyses by travel providers, travel communities, and tourism companies.

The reasons why women want to go on a solo trip are many and varied. According to a survey by Solo Traveler, however, "seeing the world and not waiting for others to do so" is at the top of the list. So instead of waiting for friends and/or partners to decide to join them, more and more women are going solo.

A Gap in the Travel Market?
Although search engines immediately add the suggestion "solo travel for women" to the search term "solo travel", there are still comparatively few offers for women traveling alone in the tourism market. But it is not only the limited (booking) options or prevailing safety concerns that prevent booking numbers and search volume from meeting. The often high surcharge for a single room is also a nuisance for many solo travellers, who often end up paying more than if they were traveling as a couple.

Women travelling alone choose accommodations and destinations very consciously. Safety is one aspect. They also ask themselves questions such as: Are there any local contact opportunities? Are there only couples at the hotel? What group offers and leisure activities are there? What is the group composition like on organised trips and tours? The more questions are answered and the more concrete the information that tour operators and hotels provide, the more attractive they become for the large group of solo tourists.

Travelling Alone and Sustainably – Best Practice Examples from Green Pearls Hotels
As with all target groups in tourism, the sustainability factor is also becoming increasingly important for women traveling alone. Especially during a conscious solo getaway, they attach great importance to a healthy and organic diet, experiences in nature, conscious use of resources, and gentle treatments with natural cosmetics.  

The Green Pearls® partners have also recorded rising numbers of solo tourists in recent years. With special offers, they create a framework in which guests traveling alone feel comfortable and can enjoy their time out or make contact with other guests if they wish.

Group activities and group courses are ideal starting points for solo travellers to connect with other guests. During group hikes, cooking classes, or workshops, as offered in the Green Pearls® properties, solo travellers can easily start up a conversation with other guests.

For example, while the Maldives are mainly known as an exclusive destination for couples, many single travellers, especially women, spend their holidays at the green luxury resort of Gili Lankanfushi. The Gili Solo Experience offers a social programme that leaves little to be desired: Breakfast and dinner at the Kashiveli Restaurant, spa treatments, a Dine in the Dark experience, a photo shoot, a sunset sailing tour, a snorkelling excursion, plus yoga sessions and other water sports activities that make it easy to socialise.  

For more information on Green Pearls GmbH visit www.greenpearls.com

Image above: gili lankanfushi maldives paddle against plastic

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