Taking a walk: The female tourist experience

Abstract

This feminist, qualitative study explores the experiences of female tourists who like to walk during their holiday. The findings highlight that women’s full access to the benefits of walking while on holiday are constrained by their feelings of vulnerability and their perceptions of possible risk if walking alone, particularly at night and in isolated spaces. In order to cope with perceived risk, participants employed a number of safeguarding and self-surveillance strategies. This study, therefore, supports other research on female tourists that highlight the differences among male and female tourist experiences, and that point to the measures women take to keep themselves safe.