As solo travel rises in popularity, Hostelworld (a social network focused on helping travelers in hostels connect) has released its new 2024 Solo Travel Report, which details emerging trends for the segment.
Among the findings are hot destinations, desired experiences, demographics and more insights on this demographic.
“Solo travel is no longer a trend; it’s a lifestyle choice that reflects a growing desire for personal exploration and connection,” said Gary Morrison, CEO of Hostelworld. “The rise of flexible working continues to fuel this shift, allowing travelers to combine work with adventure.”
Who Is Traveling Solo?
Perhaps not surprisingly, younger generations make up the majority of solo travelers, with 68% of the segment under the age of 31. Thirty-eight percent are in the 18-24 age bracket, 29% are 25-30 years old, 12% are 31-35, 6.5% are 36-40 and 14% are over 40 years old.
When it comes to gender, 60% of solo travelers are women. The report also found that 19% of respondents identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Other demographic findings include that 38% of solo travelers are employed full time, while 20% are college students, and 9% are employed part time.
Where Do Solo Travelers Want to Go?
The most popular destination for those taking a trip alone is Thailand, with just over 7% of respondents booking accommodations in the Southeast Asian country, most likely driven by its affordability. Other top spots include Spain, Italy, Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia.
When asked to name the places they most want to go, solo travelers ranked Japan at the top of the list (23.3%), followed by Australia (14.4%), New Zealand (13.3%), Italy (12.2%), Thailand (11.3%), Iceland (11.2%) and Greece (10.6%).
How Do These Travelers Choose Their Destination?
The top factor influencing solo travelers’ destination choice is affordability/low cost of living (50.6%), closely followed by desirable weather (49.6%). About 41% of respondents want to see iconic landmarks or natural wonders, another 39.7% are looking for good deals, 38.2% prioritize in-destination activities, 31.8% consider how busy the destination will be, and 30.9% choose their destination for its cuisine.
Why Do Solo Travelers Choose to Go Alone?
According to the study, the top three reasons to travel alone are independence and freedom (75%), a desire to connect with other people and cultures (45%) and the unavailability of friends and family to join (35%).
The things travelers like most about vacationing on their own are meeting new people (43%) and not having to compromise for others (26%).
Solo travelers are also particularly open to new experiences, as 45% have no preconceived expectations regarding their trips. After traveling, they find that the most memorable aspects of the journey include meeting interesting people (55%), seeing new places (41%), having unexpected experiences (38%), culinary discovery (33%), checking a dream destination off their list (31%) and making meaningful connections with locals (28%).
What Are the Challenges for This Demographic?
Forty-one percent of solo travelers say safety concerns are their main challenge. A lack of companionship comes in second at 37%, while difficulty meeting new people ranks third, at 34%. And female solo travelers are nearly three times as likely (54%) as their male counterparts (19%) to list safety as a concern.
