Solo travel?

Posted on

Stories about solo travel are almost entirely about female solo travelers. Yet we then see a travel news story with this claim:

I fully support all the above, particularly when I think about women, people of colour, LGBT+ travellers, people with disabilities and other travellers who historically haven’t had the same freedom and privileges as majority travellers.

Female solo travel is mainstream – here’s why solitary travel takes more nerve – Slow Travel News

I went to news.google.com and searched for “solo travel”. 16 of the first 18 stories retrieved are about solo women travel, one is about a solo male traveler and one is a generic “solo” travel with friends.

Every one of the following is about solo female travel:

  1. I’m ready to join the brave new world of women who are leaving their family at home – and holidaying alone | Zoe Williams | The Guardian
  2. I tested viral solo travel photography hacks – here’s what actually works and what to avoid | Daily Mail Online
  3. Mistakes American Made on Solo Trip to Spain; Things She’d Improve – Business Insider
  4. 9 Editor-approved Solo Travel Personal Safety Tips
  5. Solo travel for women: Tips for vacationing alone
  6. Why Kerala is Becoming the Ultimate Destination for Solo Women Travelers Seeking Safety, Cleanliness and Respectful Hospitality in India – Travel And Tour World
  7. 5 truths I wish I had known about solo travel before my first trip
  8. Thanks To Tracee Ellis Ross, I Traveled To Mexico Solo
  9. The Solo Travel Hack I Wish I’d Known About Sooner – Parade
  10. Solo trips abroad take off among women who seek break from work – and their families | Travel & leisure | The Guardian
  11. 15 Tried-and-true Solo Travel Essentials for Beginners
  12. At 34, I’ve Traveled to 90 Countries Instead of Marrying, Having Kids – Business Insider
  13. 95-Year-Old Friend I Made on an International Flight Became My Pen Pal – Business Insider
  14. It’s Solo Travel Over Travel With Friends for Me | Next Avenue
  15. American Went on Solo Trip to Australia: Mistakes, Highlights – Business Insider
  16. The Best Countries For Traveling Solo As A Woman | Marie Claire

One article about a solo guy traveler: Traveling Across Southeast Asia: 3 Favorite Cities — and 1 to Skip – Business Insider

One generic solo travel article: Solo-Ski Adventures Return To French Alps With Friendship Travel

Past Coverage of This Topic

The media continues to beat on this topic – women travelers are oppressed – even though about 90% of the travel stories are written by and for women, nearly all stories about solo travelers are written by and about women traveling solo, and the industry data says women engaged in leisure travel outnumber men by a 2:1 ratio.

After all that, the travel media implies women travelers are rare and oppressed. Hmmmmm.