The joy of solo travel comes from a sense of freedom and the desire to push oneself to meet new people and try new experiences. This is all documented in a new report from Expedia.
Solo travel is one of the fastest growing travel categories which explains why 60% of travelers plan to take a solo trip within the next two years. This shows that people want more flexibility, convenience, and autonomy from their vacations. What’s even more interesting is how the desire for a digital connection is starting to rival the need of human connection on trips. In other words, your phone may be a better travel companion than your partner.
Key Findings:
- What Drives Solo Travel: Overall, solo travelers most often say they take solo trips to meet new people and explore new places, disconnect from work and life, and improve their independence and confidence. And while the simple desire to get away is the biggest motivator for going it alone over any movie, book or celebrity influencer – it’s no surprise that the best-selling novel turned feature film “Eat Pray Love” was the top source of inspiration for the 5% of travelers who said a movie prompted them to take a solo trip.
- Solo Travel is Becoming the Preferred Travel Category: Two-thirds of respondents agree they prefer the freedom of traveling alone and meeting new people over the desire to have a vacation companion. Younger travelers (83% of Gen Z and 80% of Millennials) are especially likely to agree. Less than 40% of the respondents Expedia surveyed identified themselves as parents, and of those, nearly all of them (82%) agree they too would prefer to travel alone.
- The Ideal Solo Trip: While some might want to spend their summer backpacking across Europe, the most popular solo trip is the ‘Weekend Break’ – a quick couple days in a new city or off the grid (30%). Americans are more likely to want to experience an ‘Island Getaway’ – cruise to a tropical destination or visit a beach (23%), ‘Foodie Trip’ – eat their way through a region known for delicious cuisine (16%), or ‘Event Travel’ – visiting a place specifically to attend a music festival or sporting event (14%).
- Solo Travel Destinations: Domestic travel continues to be the foundation of how most Americans choose to vacation – and solo travel is no exception. US travelers are more likely to choose new or familiar places within their own country, and 69% said their last solo trip was in the USA. When it comes to future solo trips, roughly 3 out of 4 Americans (74%) say their ideal location is in the USA followed by Canada (45%) and Europe (42%).
- Solo Trip Advice is Practical: When it comes to planning your solo getaway, experienced solo travelers emphasize preparation and a positive attitude. Stick to a budget, know which travel documents you’ll need and always have a plan B. Americans mostly feel that it’s good to be mindful of fears but to not let them stop you (20%).
- This Is When Things Get Awkward: Generally, solo travelers feel most uncomfortable when they are lost and need directions (42%), or when they are lost in translation (38%). US travelers also dread having their phone battery die or eating alone (29%).
