The Rising Force in Travel: Solo Business Trips by Women on the Rise

As women increasingly take the lead in various fields, the traditional male-dominated narrative of business travel is being challenged. More and more women are stepping out of the office to travel the world as professional female business travelers, becoming another rising force driving tourism growth. Data from Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), a global collection of boutique hotels, shows that the number of solo female guests has been growing rapidly, and businesswomen are placing greater emphasis on quality when traveling.

Between 2011 and 2012, the number of solo guest nights at SLH properties increased from 4,115 to 5,841, with solo bookings generating approximately $400,000 in additional revenue. In SLH’s core markets during the same period, the growth in female bookings was particularly significant. Solo female guest nights rose by 53%, compared to just 38% for solo male guests, indicating that solo business trips by women have become another key area of competition in the travel market.

 

SLH sales data also show that among emerging markets and business hub cities, Hong Kong saw the most remarkable increase in solo female guests. Between 2011 and 2012, solo guest nights in Hong Kong increased by 300%, including many travelers who used Hong Kong as a transit point to mainland China or as a base for travel across the Far East. Germany also experienced notable growth in solo female guests during the same period, with room revenue from female-only bookings increasing by 153%.

 

SLH’s global network of affiliated hotels has not only witnessed a surge in the number of solo female business and leisure travelers, but also found that these guests are staying longer than ever before. According to a study by the Amadeus global travel distribution system, the number of international business trips taken by women is expected to grow by 250% by 2030, with the Asia-Pacific region being the main driver of this growth. The role of solo female travelers in the tourism industry is becoming increasingly prominent. As more women thrive in their careers, the hotel industry is also recognizing the potential of developing services tailored to meet the needs of businesswomen.

For solo female travelers, service trends are no longer limited to offering spa and beauty treatments. SLH provides private and luxurious experiences for solo female guests through its diverse accommodation options in various travel destinations and key business markets.

 

When offering private and luxurious experiences to female guests, SLH hotels focus on two key aspects: ensuring comfort and safety. Naumi Hotel in Singapore, for example, features a “Women Only” floor dedicated to serving female guests. Building on the success of its “Women Only” floor introduced in 2012, Dukes London is now celebrating its latest transformation by inviting female guests to experience its newly launched luxury suites, particularly welcoming female guests from the Gulf region.

 

Solo female guests particularly value services provided by female hotel staff. For instance, Madeleine Calon, who works at St James Hotel and Club, is the only female concierge manager among SLH’s London properties. She offers advice from a female perspective. Meanwhile, The Chester Grosvenor has found that services provided by female drivers are especially favored by solo female guests, as they feel more comfortable and safe in the confined space of a car driven by a woman.

 

The female perspective of hotel owners can also create an atmosphere that is particularly appealing to solo female guests. For example, the owner of The Margi Hotel in Athens is a woman, which makes businesswomen feel more inspired, relaxed, and productive in such a homely and secure environment. Kate Levin, General Manager of The Levin and The Capital hotels in London and daughter of the founder, has inherited her father’s vision and is committed to developing the female market. Guided by this philosophy, 25% of the rooms at The Capital Hotel have recently been renovated to cater to solo travelers. The concierge desk also provides a curated list of recommended local restaurants and bars specifically for solo female guests. More information about SLH can be found at: www.slh.com.

 

 

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