Why Women Travel More: Insights from Recent Study

A recent study by travel organization Road Scholar sheds light on why women travel more than men. The survey reveals that 30% of the company’s tour participants are solo travelers, with 85% of them being women. Similarly, Condor Ferries reports that globally, 64% of travelers are female, spending an estimated $125 billion on travel in 2023.

The average U.S. traveler is a 47-year-old woman, and 75% of those who take cultural, adventure, or nature trips are women. Despite potential risks, 86% of women express no fear of travel. Furthermore, regardless of whether they travel with partners, family, friends, solo, or in groups, women make 80% of all travel decisions.

This trend reflects a longstanding pattern. Women have been traveling more for leisure for years, while men tend to travel less. Factors contributing to this gender gap include women’s longer life expectancy, with U.S. male life expectancy at 73.2 years compared to 79.1 years for women. However, this alone does not explain the disparity, as data from Road Scholar shows that nearly 70% of their travelers are women, despite only 58% of Americans aged 65 and older being women.

A fascinating finding from the study is that 60% of Road Scholar’s solo travelers in 2022 were married but traveling without their spouses. Reasons for this include their spouses’ lack of interest in travel or differing travel preferences. Many women express a desire to explore their interests and passions independently, even if their spouses are not inclined to join them.

While there is more data available on why women travel than on why men do not, it is clear that the travel industry focuses heavily on catering to female travelers. Travel companies dedicated to women-only clientele have seen a significant increase. Despite earning 17% less than men on average in 2022, women are overcoming financial obstacles to pursue their travel passions.

In contrast, men seem to prefer familiar routines, with statistics showing they are more likely to return to places they like rather than seek new adventures. Men also participate strongly in certain types of travel, such as wilderness exploration, backpacking, sports, and adventure activities.

To bridge the gap, some travel companies are offering trips focused on adventure and friendship to attract both men and women. However, the travel industry continues to cater predominantly to women, given their overwhelming enthusiasm for travel. Men may need to break free from their comfort zones to explore the world more actively.