Why Fewer Men Travel And Why More Men Should

Women make up 64% of leisure travelers worldwide. Men account for only 36%. This gap has stayed roughly the same for the past five years, with men showing little interest in changing their travel habits.

The numbers tell a consistent story. Women plan 82% of all trips. They’re expected to control 75% of discretionary income by 2028. Meanwhile, fewer than 10% of men say they want to travel solo this year, compared to 45% of women.

Men Stay Home for Predictable Reasons

Work keeps men from traveling. They report rigid schedules and pressure to prioritize income over time off. Many say their companies offer limited remote work options. Social expectations push men to focus on earning rather than exploring.

Family responsibilities tie men down too. Men often see themselves as providers first, travelers last. They skip planning vacations because they think stability matters more than adventure. When families do travel, women typically handle the booking and planning.

Men don’t connect travel with personal wellness the way women do. Women book trips to reduce stress or recharge. Men rarely cite these reasons. They travel for business or family obligations, not for themselves.

Travel Changes How Men See Partnership

Men who travel regularly approach relationships differently than those who stay home. They meet people from various backgrounds and see how couples function in other countries. Some come back talking about French couples who vacation separately or Swedish partners who split everything equally. Others might mention dating an established man they met abroad who showed them how different life priorities can be across cultures.

Travel gives men perspective on what they actually want from relationships. They see firsthand that there’s no single way to be a partner or build a life with someone. This exposure helps them think beyond what their hometown friends do or what their parents expect. Men who travel tend to be more open about their relationship goals and less likely to follow a script someone else wrote for them.

The Industry Ignores Male Travelers

Travel companies focus on women. Women-only segments have grown by 230% in the past two years. Men’s retreats and male-focused wellness trips barely exist.

Hilton reports that only 29% of their leisure bookings come from men. Men’s trips last 3.5 days on average, compared to 4.7 days for women. Men spend more per trip but travel less often.

Marketing teams overlook men entirely. They create campaigns for solo female travelers, women’s wellness retreats, and girlfriend getaways. Men get business travel ads and little else.

What Happens When Men Do Travel

Dr. Mark Halvorsen, a sociologist, says men who travel show higher emotional resilience and better communication skills. They adapt to change more easily. These aren’t soft skills. They matter for careers and relationships.

The Journal of Men’s Health published research in 2025 showing travel helps men rebuild relationships and gain perspective on life priorities. Men who travel report less burnout and isolation.

Travel forces men to solve problems in unfamiliar settings. They learn to communicate across language barriers. They figure out transportation in foreign cities. These small victories build confidence that carries over into daily life.

Small Changes Are Starting

Some trends suggest men might travel more soon. Gen Z and millennial men show more interest in bucket-list trips and adventure activities. Remote work policies help, though men still use these opportunities less than women do.

A few companies have started men’s wellness retreats and group expeditions. Active fatherhood travel packages exist now. These offerings remain rare compared to women-focused options.

Men respond to practical benefits. Tell them travel improves problem-solving skills or makes them better communicators, and they listen. Frame it as professional development or relationship improvement, and they pay attention.

Getting More Men to Pack Their Bags

Travel professionals suggest focusing on concrete benefits when talking to men about travel. Stress reduction matters. So does creativity and relationship quality.

Men need to see other men traveling for personal growth, not only for business. Male travel role models could help break the stigma around leisure trips.

Flexible booking helps men with time constraints. Wellness programs designed specifically for men address their interests. Active travel groups give men social permission to explore.

The data shows men miss out on travel’s benefits because of social conditioning and overlooked marketing. They have money to travel. They lack awareness about why they should. Fixing this requires showing men that travel serves practical purposes beyond vacation photos.