The PayNearby Women Financial Index 2026, released by PayNearby, shows that 85% of women surveyed act as the primary savers in their households, highlighting their central role in family financial planning.
At the same time, digital financial adoption is expanding. Around 38% of women in rural and semi-urban areas use UPI at least once a week for routine expenses such as groceries, utility bills and mobile recharges, while 71% now operate their bank accounts independently.
The report also points to growing openness to financial products. Nearly 44% of women said they would consider investing in gold-based savings products through small-ticket SIPs, although formal savings penetration remains limited, with only 32% saving through banks or other formal channels.
Insurance ownership stands at 26%, mainly health, life and accident policies, while 73% expressed willingness to use formal credit for needs such as healthcare, education and small businesses.
Parallel trends in travel suggest that women are influencing discretionary spending patterns as well.
Data from travel platform Pickyourtrail indicates that women travellers are planning international trips earlier and allocating larger budgets, with 32% booking trips six months in advance and another 23% confirming plans roughly four months ahead. Average spending ranges between ₹70,000 and ₹1 lakh per person, with women spending 18–22% more per day compared with other traveller segments and showing rising interest in personalised itineraries and experiential travel.
Insights from travel-fintech platform Scapia also highlight a surge in independent travel behaviour. Solo travel among women has increased nearly nine-fold year-on-year on its platform, while Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent together account for over 60% of outbound trips due to factors such as proximity and visa ease.
Industry tracker Cleartrip reports similar behavioural shifts. Its PeekABoo travel trends tracker shows all-women international group travel rising nearly 36% year-on-year, alongside stronger digital payment adoption, including a 40% increase in UPI usage and a 17% rise in credit card transactions for travel bookings.
Women travellers are also spending more on comfort and convenience, with pre-booked meals rising 34%, seat selections increasing 23.7%, and baggage add-ons growing 33.2%, according to the tracker.
Within this broader shift in travel spending, hospitality players say wellness-focused experiences are emerging as a key priority for many women travellers.
Rachit Gupta, Vice President and Head – Marketing & Sales at Athiva Hotels & Resorts, said many women travellers are planning trips around restorative experiences.
“What strikes us most is that women arrive with clear intent: they want experiences that restore them physically, mentally, and emotionally, and they plan their travel specifically around that outcome,” he said.
Regional demand patterns are also emerging.
Arjun Baljee, Founder of ICONIQA and President at Royal Orchid Hotels, said destinations such as Haridwar, Dehradun and Mussoorie have seen rising usage of wellness services.
“In the NCR and Uttarakhand regions, destinations such as Haridwar, Dehradun and Mussoorie have seen a noticeable increase in women using wellness services, with utilisation rising from around 5–8% earlier to nearly 15% now,” he said.
However, he noted that price sensitivity continues to shape choices, with many travellers opting for individual wellness services such as spa therapies rather than full-scale luxury retreats.
Meanwhile, shorter trips and business travel are also influencing wellness preferences.
Bhavna Mishra Nanda, Director of Marketing for the Holiday Inn Express portfolio at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said many travellers prioritise routine-based wellness during work trips.
“Today’s women travellers want to maintain their lifestyle while on the move, whether that means fitting in a workout before meetings, accessing nutritious breakfast options without inconvenience, or working seamlessly from their rooms with reliable, high-speed connectivity,” she said.
Safety considerations are also shaping travel decisions.
“Women travellers are increasingly prioritising well-lit premises, secure access, attentive staff, and an environment that allows them to travel and work with confidence. A strong sense of security is no longer an added advantage; it is a decisive factor.”
From a luxury hospitality perspective, wellness travel reflects a broader shift toward restorative breaks.
Candice D’Cruz, Vice President for Luxury Brands in Asia Pacific at Hilton, said travellers are seeking experiences that support both physical and emotional wellbeing.
“Travel is becoming a deliberate act of restoration and renewal,” she said.
Resort operators are also seeing higher participation from women-led groups.
Harsv Manu Kaushik, General Manager at Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, said the property has recorded more bookings from women travellers seeking integrated wellness programmes that combine spa therapies, meditation and structured fitness routines.
Meanwhile, holistic wellness providers say the definition of self-care is expanding.
Mini Chandran, Head – Strategic Alliances & Product Development at CGH Earth Wellness, said many women travellers are now seeking experiences that go beyond traditional spa breaks.
“In 2026, women are shaping the wellness travel narrative. Their journeys are no longer just about relaxation; they are deeply intentional,” she said, adding that interest is growing in Ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga, meditation and nature-based wellness programmes.
