Women Are Leading India’s Travel Trend As Over 80% Choose Beach Destinations Over Hill Stations

In just a few days, we’ll be celebrating International Women’s Day. But before that, let’s take a quick look at how women are travelling these days. New data from Scapia shows a big shift in the way Indian women plan their trips. They’re not just travelling more; they’re also planning everything themselves. From picking destinations to booking transport and stays, women are now taking full charge of their journeys. Scroll down to find out more!

How Are Women Travelling These Days?

According to Scapia data, one clear sign of this change is the sharp rise in solo travel among women. On the platform, solo trips have grown almost nine times year-on-year. Women are booking flights, trains, buses and stays more often than before. They are also deciding where they want to go and how they want to enjoy their trips.

When it comes to destinations, beaches are winning the race. More than 80% of domestic leisure bookings by women are for beach spots instead of hill stations. Popular picks include Goa, Port Blair, Kovalam, Poovar, Varkala and Diu.

This love for beaches continues even in international travel. Many solo women travellers are choosing island destinations such as Krabi, Phuket, Langkawi, Phu Quoc, Bali and Gili Trawangan.

Spiritual trips are also part of many travel plans, but different generations have different favourites. Many Gen Z travellers are exploring spiritual cities that also offer scenic routes and Instagram-worthy views, like Varanasi and Rishikesh. At the same time, millennial women often prefer well-known pilgrimage destinations such as Shirdi, Haridwar, Amritsar and Velankanni.

Also Read: What Is ‘SheTravel Policy’, Himachal Pradeshs Initiative To Raise Solo Women Travellers By 35%?

How Travel Vary Between Generations?

Travel styles also change with age. Gen Z women seem to be all about smart, value trips. Mid-range stays now make up nearly half of their bookings and have grown about eight times year-on-year. Instead of only popular spots, many are picking culture-rich destinations like Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Hampi, Agra and Varanasi. Some are even exploring Tier-3 destinations or planning quick weekend getaways to places like Lonavala. Sounds like Gen Z is mixing culture with short escapes!

When it comes to international travel, Gen Z women are clearly loving islands and Asia-Pacific destinations. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Mauritius and Seychelles are catching their attention. Japan is also a big draw, especially cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. In the Middle East, travellers are now going beyond Dubai to explore Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Meanwhile, millennial women are leaning towards luxury, with about 33% choosing premium stays, especially in destinations like Goa and Pondicherry.

Another interesting trend? Where women are travelling internationally. Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent together account for 62.6% of outbound trips, which means almost one in two international journeys go to this region. Places like Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka remain favourites, mainly because many offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry. In fact, over 60% of top destinations don’t require advance visas. 

Cities in Vietnam, like Hanoi and Da Nang, are gaining popularity, while countries like Georgia and Kazakhstan are slowly emerging on the map. European trips to London and Paris still remain those big milestone holidays. And overall, travel is clearly rising too, with train bookings up 16.5X, bus bookings 11X and flights 8.2X. Pretty impressive, right?

So, when are you planning your next trip? Tell us in the comments below!

Also Read: Gen Z Is Spiritual! 59% Gen Z Pick Rishikesh Over Party Destinations, Study Shows Travel Shift

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Taryn Elliott (Representative Image)