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Solo travel soars in popularity: 42% increase in bookings since 2015

Women driving solo bookings increase with greater numbers now choosing to travel alone than men.

Hostelworld reveals a 42% increase in solo traveller bookings over the past two years, meaning more people are hitting the road alone than ever before. Female solo bookings have grown 45% between 2015 and 2017, in comparison to men that increased bookings by 40%

Hostelworld has revealed a 42% increase in solo bookings by travelers between 2015 and 2017. More and more people are choosing to travel solo and the noticeable trend in those ‘going it alone’ looks set to continue throughout 2018. And its women leading the way, with bookings by female solo travelers up 45% since 2015 in comparison to a 40% increase for men.

Solo travel was once seen as brave and risky for female travelers but a shift of attitude has meant that it is now an adventurous, exciting experience that allows them to feel free with no one else to worry about or please. Marina Nazario, 25, from Ft. Lauderdale has been traveling solo since 2017.

“I made my first solo trip in March 2017 when I wanted to try something new and no one could come with me. I left New York City to visit Copenhagen and Stockholm and after returning, my coworkers immediately sensed my wanderlust. Next thing I knew, I quit my job and ended up in Tokyo,” said Nazario. “Now I’m here, living in Queensland, Australia, having met my boyfriend in Europe while I was traveling a few months ago. Traveling solo made me comfortable with the unknown and not anticipating the future. I started taking things day by day, living in the present and enjoying every moment of it.”

“It’s great to see people and women in particular embracing solo travel. Solo travel doesn’t mean traveling alone, and it shouldn’t be a barrier to those wanting to explore the world. It’s a great way to branch out and meet like-minded people from all cultures and walks of life,” said Breffni Horgan, Director of Product, Hostelworld. “The increasing number of solo travelers could be due to a combination of better technology, with apps allowing us to easily discover our next location, that fact that more of us are staying single for longer and aren’t worried about waiting for a suitable travelling companion to come along, or the fact that flexi working can make it possible to combine a job with travel, operating remotely.”

Top 10 travel destinations for American female solo travelers

  • Cuba
  • Macedonia
  • Guatemala
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Luxembourg
  • Egypt
  • Nepal
  • Mexico
  • Albania
  • Finland

Top 10 travel destinations for American male solo travelers

  • Cuba
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Luxembourg
  • Sri Lanka
  • Moldova
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Ukraine
  • Portugal
  • Mexico

Culturally rich destinations such as Cuba, Macedonia and the Emirates are proving to be more popular than ever amongst solo travelers, with the rise in total solo bookings to Cuba alone from 2016 to 2017 increasing by 406%.

It’s easier than ever now to visit exciting long-haul destinations, with improvements in connectivity, technology such as apps allowing travelers to see where they are going and change their plans at the touch of a button. With more flights being available too, solo travel is now safer, easier and hassle free.

“We’ve gone from zero bookings in Cuba in 2014 to having more than 273 accommodation options in 22 cities, throughout the country. People now have the technology at their fingertips to research and book at the touch of a button and we’re working really hard to ensure solo travelers have the time of their lives,” continued Horgan. “Features such as the Hostel Noticeboard on the Hostelworld app, mean people can check what activities and events are happening at each hostel so they can meet likeminded people and make the most of every moment of their trip.”

Marina Nazaria’s top tips for solo travelers

  • My best advice – stay in hostels
  • Go out there and get off your phone.
  • Get to know other travelers. Every hostel generally has a communal area and you can find people to start talking to.
  • Take things day by day, live in the present and enjoy every moment of it.
  • Live outside of your comfort zone. If you’re scared to do it, it’s probably a good thing.
Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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