• Seasoned solo traveller Parami Fernando on exploring new destinations and staying safe

Much buzz was generated recently when Sri Lanka was heralded as the premier destination for female  solo travellers, earning the coveted title from Timeout.com. While some, including news platforms, celebrated the achievement, others pointed out that the ‘title’ was merely a listicle and didn’t reflect reality.

However, the conversation prompted questions not only on Sri Lanka being the safest country for female solo travellers, but also how safe solo travel is for women globally. The answers, of course, are nuanced and highly personal.

For seasoned solo traveller Parami Fernando, navigating the globe has been a profound journey of discovery and empowerment. Her experiences have led her to believe that vigilance, assertiveness, and cultural awareness are key components of safe and enriching solo adventures.

The Daily Morning Brunch had a chat with her on her insights and experiences, particularly in Sri Lanka – a country renowned for its stunning landscapes, welcoming hospitality, and burgeoning solo travel scene. We uncovered the allure and practicalities of solo female travel through her eyes.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

What inspired you to start travelling solo and how did you prepare for your first solo trip?

My solo travel adventures began accidentally in 2019 when I was set to go to Europe with a group, but unfortunately, the rest did not get their visas on time, and I decided to venture out on my own as I had taken leave and cleared my work schedule.

It was two days before the date of departure when I decided to take off with only the air ticket booked for me. Having a degree in tourism came in handy and within a few hours I was able to plan the initial part of the trip and main activities as I wanted the latter part to be rather spontaneous.

Research, budgeting, booking accommodation and activities in advance, packing light, and learning a few phrases in the local language like hello and thank you to ease communication helped as well.

As a woman travelling alone, what safety measures or strategies do you follow to ensure your wellbeing in unfamiliar places?

Being vigilant of your surroundings at all times is key. Having an active internet connection with a charged phone is also important as you can navigate travel anywhere with that in today’s world. Always carry your passport and leave a copy of your bio page with your luggage. That’s a safety measure just in case you lose your passport in a foreign country.

I sometimes check YouTube and TikTok videos on tourist scams in a country that I’m about to visit just to make sure I don’t fall prey to them. I also make sure to read the dos and don’ts of the country I travel to, just to be safe and respectful of that culture.

Using reliable transport, especially at night, and carrying my essentials securely – like in a crossbody bag with a strong strap – especially in crowded and touristy areas, helps as well.

Have you encountered any particular challenges or obstacles while travelling solo?

The only challenge I face while travelling solo is carrying my luggage!

Can you share a memorable experience or adventure from one of your solo trips that has had a lasting impact on you?

All my travels have been memorable experiences for me. When I was about to travel to Europe, I was told by many that there are so many scams and to be extra careful. But when I actually visited around nine countries, the experience was so pleasant and the people were so warm and helpful, which made me realise that you can’t really trust what someone else says based on their experience, which is highly subjective.

While it’s important to be careful, I also make sure not to let fear or preconceived notions overshadow my travel experiences.

How do you manage work commitments alongside your solo travels? Any tips for maintaining work-life balance during frequent travel?

Planning your travel ahead of time is key so you can clear your schedule and fully indulge in your travels. However, special circumstances might require you to work during travel sometimes and I think prioritising is key.

What advice would you give to other women who are considering solo travel but may feel hesitant or worried about safety?

I think at least once in your life, you must travel solo and experience the empowerment it brings. From our childhood, we have been conditioned to think vacations or travel mean we have to go with a group or with someone else. But once you build that inner trust, I guarantee you will enjoy exploring things on your own at your own pace.

If you are worried about safety, picking reputed accommodation with good reviews and a safe mode of transport is suggested. In today’s digital world, it’s easy to research almost anything beforehand.

Learning self-defence is something that helped me boost my confidence and sense of security immensely be it in Sri Lanka or overseas.

What are some of your favourite solo travel moments?

There are so many, but if you take the top five, it would be:

• Solo date in Paris: Lunch at the Eiffel Tower and visit to the Louvre Museum followed by a night cruise on The Seine
• Mozart concert at the world-famous Vienna Opera House
• Visiting the Vatican and exploring the amazing history of art there
• Watching a beautiful Flamenco dance show, which is a traditional Spanish art form, in Spain
• The most recent experience: Travelling to Thailand to see my favourite singer Bruno Mars perform live

How has solo travelling influenced your personal growth and perspective on life and work?

There has been immense personal growth when it comes to self-discovery and introspection. Most of the time, we live in comfort zones and for me, solo travel really pushed me out of my comfort zone to navigate new experiences and environments.

Exploring new destinations and cultures brings fresh perspectives to your life and even to work. As someone who works with a lot of people daily, solo travel has brought a lot of stillness and calmness to my life, which is such a refreshing experience.

Sri Lanka has claimed the title of the number one destination for solo female travellers in 2024, according to Timeout.com. What is your opinion on this?

I think it is a highly subjective topic and differs from person to person. Luckily, I haven’t really faced a situation so far in my solo travels. However, being vigilant of my surroundings and being vocal has helped me navigate certain uncomfortable situations in the past.

My suggestion to all the ladies would be: please don’t be silent or shy away if someone is trying to harass you. Most of them think women are easy targets but when you confront them unexpectedly with assertiveness and confidence, they will be taken off guard, leading them to back off.

However, if you are planning a solo trip, always take into consideration aspects such as safety, accessibility on how easy it is to reach/navigate a destination, and the cultural compatibility of the destination with your preferences to avoid any uncomfortable situations.