More travellers are discovering the joys of solo travel this year, with new data from Squaremouth showing that 42 per cent of travellers are planning to take a solo trip this year.
A travel insurance comparison site asked over 2,600 customers about their opinions on solo travel and found that 87% of solo travelers travel internationally. Only 13% of solo travelers prefer to travel domestically.
When we think of solo travel, many of us think of backpackers staying in hostels to save money on their trip to Europe, but that's not the case for everyone. In fact, 53% of solo travelers expect to spend more than $3,000 on their vacation.
We've been writing about the rise of solo travel for the last few years, but 2024 is seeing a surge in interest in travelers heading out alone to discover the world. This is leading many travel companies to consider more solo travel options, with cruise lines, for example, building new ships with more solo cabin categories.
Additionally, the Adventure Travel Trade Association's 2024 Industry Outlook report found that women over 50 are leading the solo travel trend. Younger women are also a big part of this trend, with Contiki reporting that 62% of solo trips in 2023 will be booked by women aged 18-35.
But solo travel is not without its fears: 46 percent of solo travelers are most worried about experiencing a medical emergency while traveling alone, and another 22 percent worry about crime rates and their safety traveling alone.
“More travelers than ever before are deciding to travel solo,” said Jenna Hammer, director of communications for Squaremouth. “Many solo travelers are seeking international travel and spending more on their trips despite medical emergencies or concerns about their safety. With the busy summer travel season approaching, it's important that solo travelers know how to protect themselves and their expenses while on vacation.”
Squaremouth recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan with cancellation coverage, a travel medical insurance plan for international travel, and a plan with identity theft protection in case you lose important ID cards or credit or debit cards.
Additionally, for travelers heading out somewhere alone, a travel insurance plan with 24-hour support is also recommended.
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