I was 23 and fresh out of law school when I bought a one-way ticket to Europe, my first time crossing an ocean alone. My parents were horrified. How could I explain that my friends were wrapped up in new engagements and career launches, while I was determined to claim this moment before life swept me into its relentless current? Through a Facebook group called Girls Love Travel, I connected with a Moroccan woman in Paris who opened her door, fed me at her table, and walked me through her city like we’d known each other for years. That summer I learnt something that would stay with me: sometimes the people who truly understand you are the ones you haven’t met yet.. Years later, as dating fatigue settles over our generation, I’ve watched women redirect their energy towards something more enduring than romance: authentic friendship. Modern adulthood carries its own distinct loneliness, especially with life milestones like marriage, career pivots, babies and grief. Although we’re more digitally connected than any generation in history, genuine connections are fleeting. Do we simply accept this isolation, or do we go looking for our people in places we’ve never been?. Women are choosing the latter. According to Skift Research’s 2024 report, 64% of global travellers are female. As women increasingly seek out women-only tours and travel club communities built around shared experiences, the industry is responding. More women are finding friendship not in gyms or networking events, but between departure gates and foreign lands.. Community-first collectives like The Dose of Travel Club by Nabila Ismail and Dreamy Trips by Nanki Singh create curated spaces for South Asian women, where shared culture and curiosity form the foundation of friendships. These journeys create organic connections through intimate moments like watching a sunrise over a mountain or navigating the chaos of an unfamiliar souk.. These trips occupy a deliberate middle ground of bespoke experiences built on trust and meaning, with the safety net of pre-planned itineraries and vetted communities. Singh conducts discovery calls with each participant, learning their intentions and travel rhythms to ensure compatibility and safety for all attendees. “I prioritise women who are open-minded, kind and excited to connect and build a global sisterhood,” she explains. The women who book these trips are often at crossroads: navigating transitions, feeling stuck, or craving adventure.. Some friendships break you outside of your comfort zone. Mahnoor Khan, an actress of Pakistani descent, discovered this on a trip to Thailand, where she bonded deeply with women of Indian background. “Travelling together, I realised we’re actually far more similar than we thought.”. Nine days in close proximity, sharing rooms and meals and moments of frustration, broke down walls that decades of geopolitical tension had built up. It’s an experience that’s difficult to explain to friends back home.
