Support Women When You Travel and Make an Impact

Travelling the world is life-changing, but it becomes even more special when you make a conscious choice to support women when you travel. From artisans weaving textiles in Laos to female chefs hosting cooking classes in Morocco, the way you spend your money can empower women, preserve cultural traditions, and make your travel experiences richer and more memorable.

In this guide I will show you how to support women when you travel through markets, tours, stays, and experiences. I’ve also included links the businesses that you can explore around the world. Let’s make your travels meaningful and full of impact.

Why You Should Support Women When You Travel

When you buy a souvenir or book an experience, your money doesn’t just pay for goods or services. Choosing to support women when you travel makes sure your spending goes directly to women, helps preserve traditions, creates jobs in local communities, and encourages ethical and responsible tourism.

Supporting women is not charity. It is travel with purpose. It creates stronger communities, fosters fairness, and gives you a deeper connection to the places you visit.

Markets and Artisan Hubs

Markets and artisan hubs are one of the most tangible ways to make an impact while you explore a destination.

Ock Pop Tok in Laos

In Luang Prabang, Ock Pop Tok is a fair-trade social enterprise co-founded by women that employs hundreds of craftswomen from remote villages. They produce stunning scarves, fabrics, and homewares while using traditional weaving techniques. You can even take a natural dyeing or weaving workshop, creating a keepsake while directly supporting local women.

Centre for Traditional Textiles of Cusco in Peru

The Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco sustains weaving traditions and empowers women artisans in the Peruvian Highlands. You can visit workshops, learn weaving techniques, and buy textiles directly from the makers, helping to preserve cultural heritage.

Merry Lady Market at the U.S.–Mexico Border

This bi-national market features handmade crafts from women entrepreneurs in both the U.S. and Mexico. It shows how cross-border collaboration can empower women artisans.

Tours Led by Women

Booking tours with women guides or women-led companies ensures your travel money benefits women directly.

Wild Terrains

Wild Terrains curates women-led experiences worldwide, from Mexican designers to European artisans. You might take a jewellery-making workshop in Mexico, cook alongside a female chef, or visit a women-run ceramic studio in Lisbon.

Girls Trip Tours

This company designs group trips specifically for women, partnering with local female guides and businesses to empower women in tourism.

Women in Travel CIC in the UK

Women in Travel CIC offers locally led tours that celebrate multiculturalism and empower female guides.

Culinary and Craft Experiences

Food and craft experiences often put women at the heart of tourism.

Travelling Spoon

Travelling Spoon connects travellers with local hosts, most of whom are women, for cooking classes, market tours, and shared meals. You can learn local dishes while supporting women-led food entrepreneurship.

Salt and Wind

Salt and Wind offers immersive food tours and culinary workshops in Mexico, Spain, and Italy run by women. These experiences give travellers authentic, hands-on exposure while supporting female entrepreneurs.

Community-Based Tourism

Community-based tourism programmes empower women and strengthen communities.

Panauti Community Homestay in Nepal

Women in Panauti host travellers in their homes, sharing their culture and traditions while earning income. Your stay supports women’s economic independence and benefits the wider community.

Practical Tips to Support Women When You Travel

Before you go:

• Look for women-owned businesses and tour operators
• Bookmark artisan markets, craft cooperatives, and homestays

During your trip:

• Ask locals where women-owned cafés, studios, and workshops are
• Take workshops rather than just buying souvenirs
• Pay fair prices and tip generously

Small choices make a big difference:

• Stay at women-run guesthouses rather than chains
• Buy food, textiles, and crafts directly from the makers
• Choose experiences led by women and community-based programmes

Supporting women when you travel is rewarding and enriching. You leave with more than a souvenir: a story, a connection, and the knowledge that your choices made a difference.

Rachel

Rachel is an intrepid world traveller, lifestyle connoisseuse, and the resident beauty advisor at Girls Who Travel. A true ocean lover with a soft spot for flowers, films, and storytelling, she also has a growing collection of medium-sized tattoos. When she’s not immersed in her next adventure, Rachel shares stories from her travels along with practical tips and insights to help other women make the most of their journeys.