Why Solo Travel Is on the Rise

www.ozy.com [OZY]( OZY A Modern Media Company Share This Sh*t October 22, 2022 Share This Sh*t [The drop]( WHY SOLO TRAVEL IS ON THE RISE Today’s travel enthusiasts aren’t waiting around for a plus one. Solo Searches Soar Fiona Tapp from Ottawa, Canada [@fionatappdotcom]( 1 Pandemic Changes There’s no doubt that lockdowns and restrictions during the pandemic changed the way we vacation and travel. For many months, airplanes sat dormant and airports were ghostly empty. Even some ground travel was off-limits. It’s no wonder that, as airports are once again operating normally, people are keen to get back to traveling the world freely. What is surprising however is how they are doing so. Solo travel is on the increase, especially among women. We asked avid travelers, industry experts and mental health professionals for their insight into why. 2 The Numbers Data shows that overall travel isn’t back to normal in terms of pre-pandemic bookings, but that leisure travel has experienced a boost. According to research from the [UNWTO]( World Tourism Barometer, international tourism rebounded in the first half of 2022, recovering up to [60% of pre-pandemic levels](. The discrepancy is likely due to a decrease in business travel. The pandemic showed many managers that video conferencing could offer a much cheaper alternative to flying an executive out to meet clients, customers or stakeholders. In fact, a survey conducted by the [Institute of Travel Management]( found just 28% of travel managers expected work-related travel to return to 2019 levels. Interest in trips for one has grown so much that Google trend data results show the term “solo travel” has increased in popularity by 761.15% in the UK. The people making their way back to check-in lines and baggage carousels include an increasing number of solo travelers. Interest in trips for one has grown so much that Google trend data results show the term “solo travel” has increased in popularity by [761.15%]( in the UK. Why Go Solo? 1 Seeking Adventure Matt Berna, president, North America, at [Intrepid Travel]( says that they too have detected a global increase in solo travelers, from 40% pre-pandemic to 43% in 2022. Of those people booking alone, 50% identify as women, up from 45% in 2019. Berna believes the increase stems from a desire for more adventure. “Post-pandemic, there is a pent-up demand to explore all the world has to offer. Intrepid travelers are curious, active, as well as socially, environmentally and culturally aware that they are part of a global community. They want to live life outside their comfort zone, even if that means doing it alone.” 2 Regaining Autonomy Although designed for our own safety and survival, pandemic-level restrictions made many people feel stifled and controlled. Solo travel can be a chance to exercise autonomy, without having to check in or negotiate options with others. “You can choose your itinerary, go when and where you want at your own pace, be spontaneous and change plans at a moment’s notice,” says Berna. Deferring to everyone else isn’t healthy. We regret mostly what we do not do instead of what we do, and having adventures and making memories have been shown in scientific research to make people happier than buying things. - Mary Joye [Mary Joye](, a licensed mental health counselor and solo traveler, says that traveling alone can help you gain confidence in making your own decisions. “Deferring to everyone else isn’t healthy. We regret mostly what we do not do instead of what we do, and having adventures and making memories have been shown in scientific research to make people happier than buying things.” 3 Making New Friends Berna says that, far from being a lonely experience, solo travel can actually make you more sociable. Without a built-in friend or partner to share your trip with, traveling solo allows you the opportunity to reach out and make new connections, especially if you select a group tour. “When you travel alone, there is more of an incentive to establish new friendships.” Far from being a lonely experience, solo travel can actually make you more sociable. - Matt Brena Mollie Krengel, founder [of adventure experience companies Wild Hive]( and [Wild Bum](, recently went on her first solo trip to Sayulita, Mexico. She also organizes guided group retreats for women, many of whom choose to attend on their own. These trips have taken place in Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. She agrees that traveling solo doesn’t mean you have to spend your trip alone. “I spontaneously had dinner with two women who were also on their own and we enjoyed one another's company, sharing stories and life experiences. I likely will never see them again, but it was a beautiful and memorable evening. I am so glad to know that they exist!” [Alicia Cintron]( has made multiple solo trips to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Portugal, France and England. While traveling she made such great connections that she actually stayed longer than planned. “I made lifelong friends along my journey, making it feel less solo. I met an Irish girl in Ericeira at a coworking place and we became inseparable, so I extended my stay because I was having so much fun. I also extended my trip in Medellín by a month after I met an American couple my age who traveled the world full time.” 4 Seizing the Day If the pandemic taught us anything it's that none of us knows what the future holds. It was a time of great global fear, which led many to adopt a carpe diem attitude: to seize the day and make their bucket list dreams come true right now rather than waiting for the perfect time or the perfect traveling companion. “Nothing is ever for certain, and this is something that many people are realizing since the pandemic,” explains Rachel Eddins, a licensed therapist, mental health professional and executive director at [Eddins Counseling](. “The after-effects of something like this can make us fearful of the future, which we are seeing a lot of. From people quitting their jobs or looking for more flexible hours, to people traveling more and increasing their experiences.” Those experiences can be life-affirming, as Cintron explains, “The memories that stay with me are the big adventures, a 5-day hike to Machu Picchu, an 8-day cruise through the Galapagos Islands, cycling through Burgundy on a self-guided winery tour and learning to surf in Ericeira. Each of these experiences was a reminder to stop underestimating myself.” THE OZY GENIUS AWARDS ARE BACK! Life's too short to not dream big! The OZY Genius Awards support college students' young, bright minds. Application Deadline is October 31, 2022! Don't wait! [APPLY HERE]( Why Women Are Going Solo 1 Craving Alone Time For women, especially as default caregivers, the pandemic may have felt like a period of sacrifice, where everyone else’s needs came first. As Krengel explains, traveling by yourself can help you re-establish sacred alone time and relearn how to put yourself first. “There’s an element to these life-changing experiences and prioritizing oneself that is not often discussed. When we reconnect with ourselves, our hopes and our dreams, we have to choose to integrate those into our lives. And this will require effort, hard conversations, highlighting repressed desires, spending a little less time mom-ing and more time delving into what makes us feel alive as individuals,” she says. For women, especially as default caregivers, the pandemic may have felt like a period of sacrifice, where everyone else’s needs came first. Traveling by yourself can help you re-establish sacred alone time and relearn how to put yourself first. - Mollie Krengel For those with children, Krengel reminds us that mom guilt or shaming isn’t necessary or useful. “If there is guilt around leaving your kids, I encourage you to shift your mindset around what a gift it is for them. To watch their mom become more and more of herself.” Although there are opportunities for introspection and self-betterment, Krengel also explains that spending time alone is simply fun. “The pleasant outcome of spending time alone is making a dent in your stack of books and feeling empowered to begin new practices in living the life of your dreams. I laughed as I played around in the waves by myself, giggling as I surrendered to the wildness.” 2 New Connections It may seem like a contradiction but, for many solo travelers, having control over their own plans and the confidence boost they get from going it alone comes second to the biggest benefit: connecting with new people along the way. “It's the impact of the people I meet that stays with me more than anything,” Cintron says. “Whether it's locals or other travelers, expats or nomads, the friends I've made help me learn more about the world than anything I could ever read in a book or see on television. I would never meet these people if I didn't put myself in a position outside of my introverted comfort zone.” Berna adds, “Making friends with other travelers and with local people in the communities you visit can turn a trip into an unforgettable experience.” 3 Tips for Traveling Solo If you’re nervous about making your first solo trip, Cintron recommends practicing stateside or more locally. “I took a weekend solo trip to a city I'd never been to before. After that, I took a bigger leap and traveled to Toronto alone. These trips gave me the confidence I needed to travel to Europe solo.” Although it’s important to practice streetwise behavior wherever you travel — like keeping valuables hidden, not disclosing your accommodation details to strangers and keeping your friends and family back home updated on your whereabouts — Cintron says to keep safety fears in perspective. “Trust yourself. Don't let other people's fears, the state of the world, or any self-doubt keep you from solo traveling. Solo travel gets easier with every trip because you learn more about yourself, the type of traveler you are, and what your true needs are.” Have you ever taken a solo trip? What did you learn? Tell us about it. [SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS]( [TV]( | [PODCASTS]( | [NEWS]( | [FESTIVALS]( OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “the New and the Next.” OZY creates space for fresh perspectives, and offers new takes on everything from news and culture to technology, business, learning and entertainment. #OZYMedia, #TheDrop OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](