More holidaymakers go it alone

Solo holidays are growing in popularity, driven by travellers not wanting to compromise on where they go.

The number of Britons going on holiday alone has jumped by a third since 2011, research from travel industry body ABTA has revealed. One-in-six (15%) people have taken a solo holiday in the past year, up from 12% in 2017.

Being able to do and go where they want was the most common reason cited by solo travellers in the ABTA research, aided by the widespread availability of wi-fi and smartphones.

The solo trend is prompting many tour operators to expand their offer for individual travellers, with some also reviewing their single supplement charges.

Popular solo destinations

There are now many more options for those who want to travel alone, such as being able to join a group activity trip or take a cruise.

Asia is a particularly popular destination, with 22% of solo travellers going there over the last 12 months, compared to an average of 15% among all types of holidaymaker.

As well as having the freedom to do what they want (76%), other reasons given to ABTA for taking a solo trip include wanting to take some time out (63%) and to visit a new destination (37%).

The most likely group to travel on their own are those over 75, with one in five respondents having done so in the past year. But the trend has been most noticeable among 35-44 year-olds, with an increase of 11% from last year.

Sharing holiday experiences

Navigating the world alone is now less daunting thanks to the availability of wi-fi and use of smartphones and travel apps. Solo travellers can keep in touch with friends and family, sharing holiday experiences via social media. The “solotravel” hashtag on Instagram has more than 3.5 million posts.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Going on holiday by yourself means you don’t have to compromise on your choice of destination, your itinerary or the activities you take part in.

“Whether they’re single or just want some ’me time’, people now have an incredible choice of holidays and destinations to choose from.”