Solo travel is one of the hottest trends right now, whether it’s 20-somethings looking to pursue a personal passion like cycling while on holiday, a divorcee celebrating her newfound independence or an exhausted 40-year-old professional seeking a break from the rat race.
According to a new Scoot report focusing on the topic, it’s expected that solo travel will increase annually 14.3% between 2025 and 2030.
Meanwhile, 81% of survey respondents had embarked on a solo trip this year, with 54% undertaking two or more.
“For many Australians, it’s no longer just about ticking off bucket list destinations, it’s about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself and embracing the destination,” explained Scoot Australia General Manager Adam Kelly.
“Australians are embracing solo trips not out of necessity, but choice. Whilst we still have amazing journeys with friends and family, solo travel sparks a sense of lone adventure where you can go your own way and choose a unique journey bespoke to you.”
That said, travelling solo is traditionally quite costly, given increased prices for hotels, tours and cruises, but now, savvy travel brands are responding by creating new offers for these guests.
“It’s a really important part of what we do in the travel industry now and it’s so large that the big travel companies are standing up and taking notice,” noted Fiona Dalton in a podcast episode of Epic Retirement, where she shared her personal insights into holidaying on her own.
“That’s a really great thing for solo travellers – there are more opportunities coming up and the industry [is] embracing the segment.”
Last week, Inspiring Vacations released its new surcharge-free Solo Journeys range across destinations like Japan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Africa and South America. Each tour includes return airfares, a guaranteed solo room with no single supplement, airport transfers, expert local guides and fully escorted small group touring.
“Solo travel is a hot topic with our customers; we listened to their feedback to create the Solo Journeys range in line with what they told us was important,” co-founder and CEO Paul Ryan told travelBulletin.
“Our tours give them privacy in their own rooms without single supplements, blended with a friendly, small group environment that makes travelling more fun and engaging. There are also extras – such as airport transfers, more meals and curated experiences – to make the journey even more comfortable and seamless.”
According to Ryan, the response has been so positive from customers, the business is now working to expand their range and include even more destinations and dates.
Other travel brands are also embracing solo travellers, including Aurora Expeditions, Wendy Wu, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, Coral Expeditions and Ponant.
“Coral Expeditions sees an ongoing trend in demand for solo travel and it represents about 10% of our overall business with demand always growing,” Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Gilles told travelBulletin.
“We see new trends for some of our more remote area explorations as well as for themed adventure in science, culture and art special interest topics, as people seek to pursue knowledge and enrichment from their travels. We, like many travel companies, do have special rates for solo travellers and especially those with a propensity to travel at short notice.”
Adjacent to the rise of solo tours is also the increase of women-only tours. In the lead-up to International Women’s Day last year, Coral Expeditions also began running tours just for females, 86.4% of whom are solo travellers. Other companies like Intrepid, G Adventures, Uniworld and Crooked Compass also offer female-only tours.
“The women travelling solo are mostly confident, some widows can be anxious, but nearly all are well-travelled. Many are women, who’ve spent decades looking after others, and have decided that it’s now time to do what they want for themselves,” said Sarah Webster, founder of Wayfinder Travel, who specialises in solo travel.
“They want more than just a relaxing escape, they’re seeking purpose, connection, and something personally enriching.”
Challenges for solo travellers
While more travellers are opting to travel alone, there are a number of common challenges they face, with a recent Scoot report finding that 54% of APAC solo tourists feel more vulnerable to theft or harassment on holiday.
“Destinations with a blend of safety, community, and cultural richness work best for solo travellers. Cities like Athens, Barcelona, or Tokyo offer vibrant history, food culture, and ease of navigation,” said Angelo Triandos from Triandos Travel, who suggested more brands offer clear information about safety and accessibility.
Businesses could also prioritise safety with dedicated emergency support, added David Lyons from Horizons Cruise & Travel.
As pointed out in the Scoot report, airlines are beginning to adapt their service offerings to cater to the evolving needs of these travellers. These include dedicated lounges for solo travellers, flexible seat selection and support apps with tailored features.
“Airlines and travel companies can appeal to solo travellers better if they are able to address the challenges faced by this group,” stated the report.
“They can start by building an ecosystem that provides seamless booking experiences, from flight tickets to local attractions to mobile connectivity solutions and more.”
Meanwhile, around 27% of respondents in the Scott survey admitted to feeling lonely while travelling alone, or being treated differently without a companion due to societal norms.
However, tailored events, communal dining tables, flexible itinerary options and hosted welcome events can help these travellers feel more comfortable.
“Not everything needs to be tailored for couples – solo travellers want to feel included, welcomed, and safe, not like they’re an afterthought, or worse still, a ‘third wheel’ who can’t find a table to sit at for dinner and has to join others,” said Webster.
More solo travel also needs to be featured in brand marketing to challenge societal perceptions of travelling, to “show it as a powerful, joyful choice, not a compromise, and not just for younger women”.
“This segment is only going to continue growing, and travel brands that get this right now will build serious loyalty in the long-term,” she told travelBulletin.
