Travelling on your own was often seen as a fairly unattractive proposition. There’s the extra expense of single supplements, the social stigma of eating alone and perhaps the fear of loneliness or not being able to share some part of your experience with others.
Yet with many solo travel options now available without single supplements and with social media enabling travellers to share as much as they want, when they want and with whom they want, it’s hardly surprising that a greater number of people are opting to travel alone. It’s also become a lot easier to navigate the world on your own, with escorted solo tours taking much of the pain out of the planning and budgeting process.
Luggage storage network Bounce’s 2023 solo travel index, released in May this year, highlighted how travelling alone can be one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of someone’s life.
The index said: “You can explore different cultures and open your mind to new ways of living while also meeting new people. You’ll also have complete control over your itinerary, so you are free to travel on your own time and to the places you really want to visit.”
Croatia emerged as the best country for solo travel in 2023, with Malta second and Slovenia third. In terms of Asian destinations, the index found that Singapore topped the list when it came to restaurants, while when it comes to public transport, Sri Lanka had the most affordable price for a one-way ticket, with Nepal second. For solo adventurers on a budget, Nepal was also seen as the best choice, with Morocco second and Vietnam third. Japan meanwhile has the highest safety rating of the countries analysed in the index, meaning the more safety-minded adventurer should feel right at home in cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
Research from Explore Worldwide meanwhile, released in June, suggests that Asian cities have emerged as the new hot spots for solo travel worldwide, with Hanoi, Bangkok and Taipei topping global rankings.
The pandemic too has played its part in the rise of solo travel, with many people keen to take off and travel round the world following the various lockdowns.
Niel Alobaidi, CEO of Newmarket Holidays, which recently launched its Solo Traveller Collection, a range of short- and long-haul escorted group tours for guests holidaying on their own said: “We’ve seen that pandemic restrictions have fuelled a desire to visit wishlist destinations, and people don’t want to miss out just because they are travelling alone. Escorted tours are the perfect option for solo travellers, who get to enjoy the social aspect of travelling with a group, along with the security of knowing a travel expert is with them every step of the way, both to protect their booking and to help them get the most from their dream break.”
One of Newmarket’s specially-curated solo itineraries includes a tour of India’s Golden Triangle. Over 13 days, travellers journey through the bustling lanes of Old Delhi, visit the spiritual Palki Ceremony at Amritsar’s Golden Temple and view the Taj Mahal at sunrise. There’s also a scenic train journey to the holy city of Amritsar and a safari in Ranthambore National Park.
Alobaidi adds that for far-flung destinations such as India, itineraries have been carefully curated to take guests beyond the guidebooks and show them some of the most memorable sights of the destination.
“We expect interest in solo travel to continue growing, which is why we recently launched our new Solo Traveller Collection,” he says.
Taking the plunge
Kate Rowe is director of operations and reservations at Wendy Wu Tours, which recently hosted a solo travel virtual show highlighting the latest trends.
Rowe says: “The rise in solo travel has caught us all by surprise and about 30% of our bookings are coming from solo customers who want to be travelling on their own. After a few years of not being able to travel, many of our customers have decided to seize the day. That might mean not waiting for your friends to be free to be able to travel on the same dates or perhaps you don’t want to make a compromise with your partner about where to go on holiday. Perhaps it’s something that’s on your bucket list. And now that the world is open and you can travel, people really are just seizing the day.”
And with the range of solo tours available, taking off on your own couldn’t be easier. A tour with Wendy Wu for example could include ground transfers when you land and someone meeting you at the airport, with accommodation, experiences and sightseeing included.
“Our team have worked hard to find the best places for people to try; there is local cuisine, regional specialities and you might have some quite special meals with an amazing view,” adds Rowe. “Our tours include guides – they know their country obviously incredibly well and they’re able to add local knowledge.”
Solo travel profiles
Rajeev Kale, president & country head, holidays, MICE, visa at Thomas Cook (India) says solo travel is being boosted by those who are seeking quality time by themselves along with a focus on rejuvenation and wellness.
“We witnessed an increase of 40-45% in demand for solo travel as compared to last year,” he says. “Our data indicates solo travel is witnessing an uptick from various segments including millennials, young professionals and corporate head honchos, as well as women travellers.”
Kale adds that solo travellers are intrepid explorers/adventure enthusiasts, interested in destinations which offer a combination of safety and unique experiences. He says they enjoy outdoor experiences like camping/glamping, safaris and jungle adventures and trips with an adrenaline rush.
These could include zip lining at Borneo in Malaysia; spending a night in an ancient mountain village in Oman; experiences such as learning/watching the famous Muay Thai (kickboxing) in Thailand; island hopping in Seychelles, visiting Marine Parks, nature reserves and Unesco World Heritage sites; a sunset horseback riding tour through the valleys of Cappadocia and more.
“Our trends indicate solo travellers prefer eclectic stays and unique accommodations like tree tops, at the edge of a cliff, a lighthouse and forts or staying in the heart of a desert or bamboo groves,” says Kale. “They are inclined towards authentic cultural experiences like home stays with local families and sampling their cuisine. There is an increased interest for unique experiences like exploring hidden gems and undisclosed locales such as Gorichen Peak in Arunachal Pradesh and Living Root Bridges at Meghalaya in the North East of India; safari camps in Jawai, Rajasthan; Haflong in Assam; Bloukrans Bridge Bungy in South Africa and more.”
While there is increased demand for ‘workations’ and ‘drivecations’ to the mountains and beaches among solo travellers, Kale highlights how mental health has also been a priority, impacting demand for wellness getaways from rejuvenation activities to reevaluating one’s health. This segment of travellers has been growing, positively impacting the revival of both the travel industry and solo journeys.
