6 Badass, Woman-Owned Travel Businesses to Check Out Before Your Next Trip
Isn’t it awesome that more and more women are diving into the travel scene these days? I mean, check this out: around 64% of travelers worldwide are women— and when it comes to solo adventures, a massive 85% of them are led by women! Talk about impressive, right?
But it’s not just about hitting the road. There’s a bunch of incredible women out there making waves behind the scenes too. I’m talking about the badass female entrepreneurs who are shaking things up in the travel industry. After all, who better to understand what’s important to a female traveler than another female traveler?
It’s tough to pick just a few to highlight because there are so many amazing women out there. But here’s a sneak peek into some of the awesome ladies who are totally owning the travel game right now.
Airfordable // Ama Marfo
Let’s face it, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to travel more if given the opportunity? But hey, reality check: travel costs can skyrocket, leaving many of us with nothing but dreams of far-off destinations.
Enter: Airfordable, the game-changing company that’s leveling the travel playing field by letting you pay for your flights in bite-sized chunks.
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. Find your dream flight, snap a screenshot of the details, and upload it to Airfordable’s site. Then, make your first payment to lock in that sweet price. From there, it’s smooth sailing — just pay in installments until your departure date, and voila! Your e-ticket lands in your inbox once the last payment is in. No sneaky fees (Airfordable keeps it simple with a flat-rate service fee), no credit checks, and no funny business.
The mastermind behind this genius operation? Ama Marfo, a savvy entrepreneur from Ghana. Her own struggles as a broke college student in Philly, unable to afford a ticket home for the holidays, sparked the idea. After graduation, Ama was on a mission to make air travel affordable for folks like her — especially young adults and people of color, who often face extra hurdles when it comes to finances and travel.
Airfordable’s mission — that travel should be within reach for everyone — is one we can totally get behind.
Fit & Fly // Rebecca Garland
Wellness retreats are popping up everywhere these days, but let me tell you, Fit & Fly is in a league of its own.
Rebecca Garland, the brains behind this operation and a former attorney from Seattle, knows a thing or two about travelling solo. She understands the nerves that can come with exploring new places alone, especially for women. That’s why she created Fit & Fly — to introduce women to incredible destinations they might not venture to solo, blending adventure, fitness, wellness, culture, and self-care into unforgettable retreats that leave you feeling empowered and inspired.
Each Fit & Fly retreat is a unique experience, but they all come with some seriously sweet perks: think stylish digs, top-notch fitness classes, mouthwatering healthy eats, pampering spa treatments, cultural adventures, wellness activities, and entertainment galore.
But here’s the real magic: the friendships you make at these retreats are like no other. Fit & Fly goes the extra mile to create a supportive, inclusive vibe where strong connections can build. So yeah, you’ll leave feeling physically rejuvenated, but emotionally? You’ll be on cloud nine.
Beth Santos - Founder of Wanderful
Wanderful // Beth Santos
Millions of women hit the road each year, and solo travel is on the rise. But let’s be real; women often face more hurdles than men when it comes to planning their adventures, whether it’s safety concerns, income disparities, or cultural barriers.
Enter Beth Santos and Wanderful — a global sisterhood of fearless, adventurous women. Wanderful isn’t just about finding a travel buddy or a place to crash; it’s a supportive community that connects female travelers worldwide. With home-sharing options, women-owned tours, and chapters in over 50 cities, you’ll never have to worry about brunching solo again.
But Wanderful isn’t just about making travel plans, it’s about celebrating women who are making waves in the travel industry. Beth’s brainchild has given birth to the Women in Travel Summit and the Bessie Awards, honoring trailblazing women who’ve left their mark on the travel world. Fun fact: the awards pay homage to Bessie Coleman, the first woman of African American and Native American descent to earn a pilot’s license!
Conceived while Beth was cruising the streets of São Tomé and Príncipe on her trusty blue motorcycle, Wanderful is a powerful reminder that when it comes to travel, women’s greatest strength is each other.
Pack Up & Go // Lillian Rafson
If you’re all about being spontaneous, then let me introduce you to the ultimate dream: Pack Up + Go! This is for all the surprise travel seekers — those folks who are itching for a getaway but can’t decide where to go for the life of them.
Well, Lilian Rafson is another one of those badasses who have gotten that problem all solved for travelers everywhere. Founded in 2016, Pack Up + Go takes care of all the nitty-gritty details, from booking your travel to sorting out accommodations, all while keeping your destination a top-secret surprise until the big reveal on departure day. And let me tell you, they’ve got some pretty epic destinations up their sleeve — over 300 of them to be exact.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, or a newbie, Pack Up + Go promises an adventure like no other (seriously, check their testimonials).
The genius behind it all, Rafson, was inspired by the buzz of Surprise Travel over in Europe and decided to bring the magic stateside. Rafson is on a journey to support local businesses and communities across the country — so this one is a no brainer, let’s pack up and go on an epic adventure!
LUCIA // TripKit // Grace McBride
These two tools may be more for us that work in the travel and tourism industry, but check out Grace McBride — the ultimate powerhouse who graduated from university in 2019 and by 2024, built not one, but two incredibly successful travel companies! And get this — she pulled it off during the chaotic COVID-19 pandemic when travel was about as steady as a shaky tightrope.
First up, we’ve got TripKit, a lifesaver for luxury travel advisors (yeah, that’s us!). It’s like having a super helpful assistant on speed dial, managing all our bookings, client info, and other operations to ensure we deliver fantastic service every time.
But wait, there’s more! Grace’s second brainchild, LUCIA, is a game-changer in the travel industry. It’s a massive network of experts in travel, tech, hospitality, service, and marketing all in one place. It’s like a treasure trove of talent, connecting businesses with amazing contractors who excel in their field. LUCIA isn’t just the future — it’s the hospitality workforce of the future.
And Grace? Well, she’s just getting started. Her impact on the tech-travel world has been nothing short of remarkable, and we’re here cheering from the sidelines — you go, Grace 🚀!
GreenBook Travel Guide // Martinique Lewis
Meet Martinique Lewis, the badass behind the black travel movement and the brains behind the game-changing ABC Travel Green Book and App. This incredible platform is like your ultimate travel buddy, connecting you with the African Diaspora worldwide in a snap.
Black travelers in the US drop a huge $109.4 billion annually on adventures each year. That’s where the ABC Travel Network steps in, offering a helping hand, a wealth of info, and a big ol’ dose of support to our thriving global community.
Now, let’s talk about the Green Book. It’s not your typical travel guide — it’s more like your personal passport to discovering the diverse world of the African Diaspora. Yes, you can find Black history tours in Israel, and yes, you can get your hair braided in South Korea — you just have to know where to go, and this handy resource will cover it all.
Martinique Lewis is truly a force. Her journey started back in 2018 when she joined Black Travel Journey and saw firsthand the lack of diversity in travel marketing. Determined to make a change, she became a fierce advocate for inclusivity, shaking up the industry one conference at a time.
Fast forward to today, and Martinique is one of the biggest names in travel, quadrupling her income in just a year. From speaking gigs to leading the charge for inclusive travel worldwide, she’s an inspiration to us all, showing that diversity isn’t just important—it’s downright essential for a brighter, more colorful future.
And there you have it — an inspiring lineup of six of the most influential and downright badass women making waves in the world today! As a woman myself, I feel nothing but empowered witnessing the sheer creativity and relentless dedication these incredible women bring to the table. From breaking barriers to building empires, they’re showing us all what’s possible with a little grit and a whole lot of determination.
We’ll be right here, cheering on the next wave of female-owned businesses, ready to support every step of the way. Let’s keep blazing trails and breaking ceilings because when it comes to getting shit done, us women? We got this! 💪
Editor Notes: This post was originally published on February 21, 2020, and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness or relevancy.
Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.
