Solo female travellers: solitude as a solo travel need and intrusive experiences in Asia

ABSTRACT Solo female travelling is a rising trend in travel and tourism across the globe. This study draws on the travel experiences of solo female travellers (SFTs) to examine how solitude as a travel need is realised during solo travels in Asia. In realising the need for solitude, intentionality in seeking solitude and the solitude setting play a vital role. This study reveals how certain service encounters and settings may influence SFTs in fulfilling their distinctive travel needs. The findings are explained by consumer territorial behaviours and contribute to the academic literature by highlighting service intrusions and also highlighting dissatisfaction as an emotional territorial response in the solo female travel context. Practical recommendations are given for destination management organisations to identify the distinctive solitude needs of SFTs and create a non-intrusive and conducive atmosphere for solitary consumption.