Travelling solo is a liberating experience, one that's become increasingly normalised. Still, women planning a trip alone are often met with a chorus of doubt and concern. Yet the testimonies of women worldwide in NomadHer: Solo Female Travel tell an inspiring story of empowerment and discovery.

NomadHer connects women who are passionate about travelling, creating a safe space where they can share their tips and experiences and find support on their journeys.

Hyojeong Kim, the app’s CEO and solo traveller to 60 countries and counting, is pioneering a new travel culture that encourages women to explore freely and independently. We sat down with this intrepid globetrotter to discover how she’s transforming the landscape of solo female travel.

Travelling the world, starting your own business – how and where did it all start?

The first time I travelled alone wasn’t part of some grand plan; I simply couldn’t find anyone who wanted to travel the same way I did. I wanted to move at my own pace and choose my own destinations, so I took a chance and went to Italy alone. After that trip, I realised it wasn’t as daunting as I’d imagined.

Once travel had become even more of a passion, I started looking for remote work with a company that focused on women’s empowerment through travel. When I couldn’t find one, I decided to create it myself.

In what ways does NomadHer help you and other female travellers stay safe?

After speaking with women from different racial backgrounds, ages and nationalities, I discovered a common thread: meeting trusted fellow female travellers significantly increases their sense of security, both emotional and physical.

That’s why NomadHer implements identity verification for trustworthiness and facilitates connections between like-minded female travellers heading to the same destinations.

How do you use NomadHer personally?

I mainly use Travel Buddy, a feature that connects travellers heading to the same destination during the same period. I’ve met wonderful travellers from San Francisco, Paris, Seoul, Mexico and many other places through it. We’ve shared tea, enjoyed meals together and they’ve even welcomed me into their homes.

What makes travelling solo rewarding?

You discover yourself. For me, knowing myself deeply is essential to personal growth, but these opportunities for self-discovery rarely arise in our daily routines.

When we venture far from home, to places where we’re unknown to everyone else, free to walk the streets lost in thought, try unfamiliar foods and meet people with fascinating lives we’d never encounter otherwise. In these moments of unfamiliarity, we can ask ourselves honest questions: “Is this what I want?”, “Does this bring me joy?”

What are your greatest memories from your travels?

In Riga, Latvia’s capital, I found myself stranded during a festival with no accommodation available. While I stood at a bus stop wondering what to do next, a local woman simply invited me to stay with her family.

In Havana, Cuba, I met a family at an ice cream shop who bought me ice cream just because I was a visitor. It only cost about 300 Korean Won, but their warmth and generosity touched my heart.

Looking back, these are the moments that feel almost dreamlike – the kind that make me wonder, “Did that really happen?”

Are there any NomadHer members that you find particularly memorable?

Recently, a 65-year-old Belgian woman posted that she was finally beginning her European road trip after two years of preparation. Since the app launched, she had shared this dream – not as a mother, but as herself, for herself.

Her story reminded me of my own mother, who dreams of learning English abroad and walking the Camino de Santiago. It reinforced my belief that every woman, regardless of age, carries dreams of her own.

Where do you see NomadHer going next?

While it began as a travel app, NomadHer has evolved into something more meaningful: a community of inspiring women from around the world. Each year, we celebrate this connection at our She Can Travel Anywhere festival.

Last year’s gathering in Busan, my hometown, was particularly special – seeing members fly in from across the globe to this place where I grew up created an unforgettable moment.

Would you like to share anything with women who are perhaps hesitant to travel alone?

Anxiety often signals that we’re facing a challenge, but also that new beginnings await. We grow by exploring unfamiliar paths.

If solo travel seems daunting, why not start with a nearby town? Even an overnight stay can be meaningful. Think of it as taking a breath of fresh air – a brief pause that gives you a new perspective. Solo travels are like miniature versions of life’s journey, and that makes them valuable experiences.