Perception of Safety and Challanges faced by Solo Foreign Female Travelers in Nepal

Abstract

Abstract This thesis examines the safety perceptions, challenges, and coping strategies of foreign solo female travelers visiting Nepal, focusing on how these experiences intersect with personal motivations and a broader cultural context. As solo female travel grows globally, it becomes increasingly important to investigate the nuanced realities of women traveling solo in developing countries such as Nepal. This understanding is critical not only for academic research but also for informing tourism policies and practices that promote a more welcoming and safe environment for female tourists. This study employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on data from seven in-depth, semi- structured interviews with international solo female travelers, supplemented by a netnographic analysis of discussions across online platforms, including Facebook groups, Reddit threads, YouTube comment sections, and travel forums such as TripAdvisor. This dual approach provides a more in-depth understanding of solo female travelers' lived experiences and perceptions, capturing both direct personal narratives and broader discourse within digital travel communities. Three central themes guide this thesis. First, it investigates the underlying motivations for embarking on solo journeys, emphasizing autonomy, personal growth, and cultural immersion as key factors. These factors frequently reflect a broader desire among women to assert their independence, escape from household chores, question traditional gender norms, and engage more meaningfully with other cultures. Second, the study investigates the various safety concerns raised by solo female travelers in Nepal. These include pre-departure anxiety, on-the- ground incidents such as harassment, scams, and cultural misunderstandings, as well as the gap between perceived safety before travel and actual safety once at the destination. This segment also investigates how media, social narratives, and peer-shared content shape travelers' expectations and fears. Ultimately, the thesis examines the coping and risk management strategies employed by these travelers. These include adjusting one's behavior and dress to local norms, seeking assistance from locals and other travelers, and utilizing digital resources and social media to gather real- time safety information and connect with like-minded individuals. These strategies emphasize the agency and resilience of solo female travelers while also highlighting the ongoing need for increased institutional support and policy interventions. Although Nepal is frequently portrayed as a welcoming and spiritually enriching destination, research shows that gender-specific barriers continue to affect solo female tourists, ranging from street harassment to subtle forms of exclusion and stereotyping. These experiences necessitate a critical rethinking of how safety is constructed and maintained in tourism settings. The thesis contributes to the growing field of gender and tourism by focusing on women's voices and using a feminist geographical lens to examine power dynamics, spatial practices, and embodied experiences. It provides both theoretical insights and practical implications, advocating for a Nepalese tourism landscape that is more aware of and responsive to the specific needs of female travelers. The findings aim to inform policymakers, tourism operators, and development stakeholders who are working to create a more equitable and secure environment for women navigating the complex terrain of solo travel.

A master programme thesis from Aalborg University

Perception of Safety and Challanges faced by Solo Foreign Female Travelers in Nepal