Solo travelers encouraged to book early as single rooms sell out first.
BOSTON – In continuing its commitment to solo friendly travel and value, Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) is offering Free Single Supplements on all of its 2014 adventures and just-opened 2015 departures, announced CEO Vince Cook. Solo travelers will typically save $500-$3700 over comparable trips that charge a single supplement fee. Because single rooms are limited, solo travelers are encouraged to book early as single rooms usually sell out first.
“Solo travel among Americans aged 50 and older is on the rise,” said Cook. “Many older Americans have a travel bucket list and are heading to those countries regardless of whether they have a partner to join them. Small group travel holds great appeal to solo travelers because it offers ease of travel, the camaraderie and inclusion naturally fostered when small groups of people travel together, and excellent value when the single supplement is waived.”
OAT’s comprehensive “Solo Friendly” program includes Free Single Supplements on all 44 OAT adventures and hundreds of optional pre-and-post trip extensions; a Free Online Travel Companion program; a Free Matching Roommate service; and a Solo Traveler Challenge that will match and then deduct an additional $500 from an OAT adventure if a solo traveler finds a lower price on a comparable international trip. In addition, all OAT Trip leaders (guides) and staff and are trained to integrate solo travelers from day one of their trip.
In 2013, 35%, or 14,820 of OAT’s 40,130 travelers booked as solos—up from 27% in 2007. About 80% of OAT solo travelers are women. According to the Travel Industry Association, an estimated 32 million single American women traveled at least once in the last year, and about three in 10 traveled five or more times. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that an American turns 50 every seven seconds—12,500 people a day. By 2015, the 50+ population will make up 45% of the U.S. population (AARP).
OAT offers Americans age 50 and older culturally-rich adventures in groups of just 10-16 travelers by land and 14-25 by small ship. Destinations include Botswana, the Serengeti, India, Burma, China & Tibet, Vietnam, Colombia, the Galapagos, Peru, Costa Rica, Croatia, Italy, Turkey, Israel and beyond.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
