Experiences of Women Solo Tourism Navigating Constraints and Comforts

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Women Solo Tourism is a new and trending dynamic social phenomenon in tourism, pulling young women to explore this experience. Documenting their diverse experience outcomes can help understand this unique segment effectively. This paper aims to understand women’s solo tourism from an Indian perspective, filling the existing gap in the gender literature on tourism. Following an exploratory approach, this research adopted a questionnaire-based study to understand the experiences of women solo tourists from India, as more young Indian women are taking to solo tourism. A sample response was collected from 86 women solo tourists, and the data were analysed. From the Exploratory Factor Analysis study, constructs were drawn. From the extracted seven constructs and demographic variables, the different dimensions of solo travel experiences were analysed using the SEM AMOS framework. The model is stable and able to explain 52%. Psychological empowerment emerged as the strongest positive predictor for women's solo tourism experiences. Gendered roles continue as one of the restraining factors that challenge the leisure perspectives of women, highlighting the continued impact on traditional gender expectations, caregiving responsibilities and their related social norms. Managerial implications and future research implications are also covered. J.E.L. Classification Code: Z30, Z32</p>