Women journeying alone: exploring solitude across the life stages

Abstract

An increasing number of women of all ages are travelling solo. Drawing on discussions from solo travel forums collected from TripAdvisor, this study examines the experiences of women travelling solo across various stages of the lifespan. Thematic analysis of discussions indicates that solitude shapes the motivations and experiences of solo female travellers. The life stage theory is applied to understand women’s perceptions, interpretations, and utilisation of solitude across various life stages, reflecting how age, developmental tasks, challenges, and life events intersect with the experience of solitude, impacting the way solo travel is perceived and experienced. This study provides a meaningful theoretical contribution to the broader discourse on the solo female travel experience.