Travelling has long been equated with breaking free, branching off and finding oneself.
While going on an alcohol infused all girls or all guys party holiday has also been a trend for millennials (ages 22-37) over the past few years, these seem to be taking a back seat, with adventure experiences taking over as more popular trips.
The latest in travel trends comes from the solo traveller, with rising numbers showing that huge amounts of the population want to experience the world on their own.
Baby Boomers, the generation that precedes Generation X, born between 1946-1964, are the most likely to hit the trend, with 40% of people aged 54-72 having already travelled solo.
Booking.com conducted a survey surrounding the new trend, which showed 1 in 4 people expressing a desire to travel the world alone, and recent Google search trends indicate a 40% increase in searches related to solo travel.
Travelling alone comes with many benefits, from being able to keep track of money and spend it how you wish, to sticking to your own time frame and experiencing only what you really want too.
Although you might miss the company of friends and family, solo travel is thought to offer you the best way to connect with a new culture and meet new people, as you can interact with local people and enjoy time in the company of others without any restrictions.
It is thought that travellers look more approachable in couples or as a single person which makes meeting new people all the easier.
Accommodation can also be much cheaper as solo travellers are more likely to spend time in hostels or shared accommodation which can dramatically cut down on hotel expenses.
Travelling alone means everything is up to you, maybe you’ll take the trains through Europe, or backpack across the Himalayas, perhaps you’ll find a new bar and make it your local for a while, or maybe you’ll fall in love with a country and extend your stay.
Every decision is down to you and you alone.
The main fear that stops people from travelling solo comes from an uncertainty on personal safety and potentially the feelings of loneliness. If you can overcome doubts though, travelling alone could be one of the best ways to see the world.
For some, travelling in larger groups will always be the preferred type of exploration, but it might be worth tackling travels with one close friend or your partner, to see of any difference in overall experience. If you’re considering solo travel, this can be an ideal way to get a sense of more quiet adventure, before taking the plunge to enter the big wide world on your own.
