A rising wave of older women travelling alone is reshaping global tourism, with travel companies reporting record demand for solo holidays. The shift — once considered a niche — is now influencing itineraries, pricing models and safety investments across destinations, India included.
In the UK, tour operator Jules Verne says solo travellers now make up 46 percent of bookings for trips departing next year, up from 40 percent in 2023. Nearly 70 percent of these travellers are women, many choosing to explore “on their own terms”, often leaving partners behind. Industry experts say similar patterns are emerging in India, where domestic and inbound solo travel inquiries — particularly from women above 50 — have seen a sharp rise since the pandemic.
Indian travel companies such as SOTC, Thomas Cook, Veena World and Thrillophilia confirm that solo female bookings have become one of the fastest-growing segments. Rajasthan, Kerala, the Northeast, Ladakh and Tamil Nadu are now key destinations for inbound solo women, while Indian women are heading to Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and Portugal in growing numbers. Travel insurers too are offering special policies tailored for independent women planning international trips.
The motivations behind this boom are deeply personal. Many travellers describe solo journeys as a route to rediscovering themselves after loss, retirement or simply years of putting family needs first. Linda, a 75-year-old from Oxford who has travelled to India on photography tours, says the confidence of setting her own agenda keeps bringing her back. Indian tour operators note that creative-interest travel — photography, textile trails, wildlife and heritage walks — are now major draws for older independent women.
For others, solo travel fulfils delayed dreams. Claudia, a Canadian nurse, finally backpacked across Europe in her 60s after decades of waiting. Indian platforms say this “second-innings travel” resonates strongly with urban Indian women entering retirement with higher disposable incomes, better health and fewer family responsibilities than earlier generations.
Flexibility is another key driver. Travellers like RoseMary, 77, from Wisconsin, say solo trips allow them to explore niche interests — in her case, historical sites in South Korea — without compromising for companions. Indian travel businesses are responding by offering women-only transport options, curated small-group tours, and city-specific safety features such as verified homestays and GPS-enabled taxis.
Yet the surge brings challenges. High single supplements remain a deterrent, a complaint frequently echoed by Indian solo travellers as well. Companies are now experimenting with zero-supplement departures and roommate-matching services to widen access.
The stories of these women — from teenagers discovering independence to retirees chasing long-postponed dreams — mirror a global shift. For India’s travel industry, the message is clear: the solo woman traveller is no longer an exception but a core customer, shaping the future of tours, accommodation and destination marketing.