Boutique Travel PR Agency Showcase Key Solo Travel Trends

Solo travel forces an individual to break his or her comfort zone, experience new places and meet new people from different cultures. By traveling alone, an individual builds character, and learns to rely on himself or herself.  It also helps with an individual's personal development – by improving a person’s language skills, by tasting new foods, or by learning to get around in a different destination.

​Did you know……
 

• “The solo travel market is expected to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1 percent between 2023 and 2030, the largest growth segment in the global leisure travel market.” (Source: Bokun)
• “A survey predicted that there would be an even larger number of travelers choosing to set off on solo adventures in 2024.” (Source: TravelAge West).
• The New York Times found “tour operators were seeing a 300 percent increase in solo travel bookings over couple or group tours after travel restrictions eased in 2021.”

In this blog, Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency based in New York City showcases key solo travel trends for individuals looking for freedom, self-realization, cultural immersion and life-changing experience.

Wellness And Mindfulness Retreats

Wellness retreats allow the solo traveler to find refuge and concentrate on his or her health. Popular self care activities such as early morning yoga, meditation retreats held in tranquil environments, and body scrubs that utilize products from the region promote wellness tourism.

In fact, “wellness travel has become more popular, thus reporting a 27 percent increase in the number of bookings for wellness retreats for individual tourists in contrast to the previous year.” (Source: Skift).  Solo travel also improves travelers’ ability to make positive lifestyle changes during and after their travels.

Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Ways Of Traveling

“2024 is a turning point when solo travelers fully adopt the principles of sustainable tourism.” (source: Forbes). Solo travelers often seek ecological lodgings powered by renewable energy, contribute to the locals, and reduce carbon emissions. In return, the travel industry has introduced strategies that address issues related to waste, resource management and conservation in natural ecosystems.

Studies reveal “22 percent increase in sustainable practices among single travelers and this is a clear indication of the increased awareness of sustainable travel.” (Source: Forbes). Eco-friendly travel also promotes wildlife conservation, volunteer work and more.

Technology-Driven Convenience

Solo travelers are embracing technology to plan their bucket list trips. “Starting from the applications for scheduling trips to specializing websites and applications for booking places to stay and exciting experiences, technology here is an enabler of convenience. Today, 78% of lone travelers rely on mobile applications for the organization and planning of their trips and connectivity during their travels.” (Source: Travel Agent Central)

The technological enhancements enable solo travelers to gather information on places of interest, interact with locals.  Solo travelers often use instant translation applications, location-finding technologies, and digital city tours to discover new areas in different languages. AI (artificial intelligence) and AR (augmented reality) will play a major role influencing solo travelers.

New Authenticity Packages

Solo travelers desire for more authentic experiences to immerse one’s in the local culture. “Sixty-four percent of solo travelers are interested in cultural experiences such as interacting with the resident population and engaging in authentic cultural activities that provide invaluable insights into the destination’s history and culture.” (Source: TravelAge West).

Solo travelers immerse themselves in the local culture – by cooking with local chefs, by taking historical tours, and by staying in homes of local residents.  The immersive solo travel experiences also support local economies and societies.

Flexibility And Spontaneity

“There will be an understanding among individual travelers to be more open during their trips.” (Source: Solo Traveler World). Some solo travelers often embrace spontaneous travel and grab hold of new experiences in life. Flexibility makes it easier for single travelers to change their experiences according to their wishes and preferences.

The concept of last-minute travel is quite popular because it liberates a traveler and it allows a person to be adventurous. Solo travelers may extend their stay in a beautiful city, attend an unexpected cultural event, or go on an impulsive tour along beautiful roads. Travel providers are now offering flexible and last-minute products to target the nomadic nature of the solo traveler seeking a memorable experience.

Solo travelers present a new market for travel suppliers to expand its offerings to cater to individuals the flexibility to embrace new adventures.  Our travel and lifestyle public relations professionals and social media strategists can help you reach this growing segment.

By Joanna Allen, chief executive officer, Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.