Solo travel is on the rise all around the world. More and more of us are opting to travel the world on our own, rather than with a companion. Figures published last year in the U.K show that 15 per cent of travellers took a solo trip in 2018, compared to 12 per cent from the previous year and 6 per cent in 2011. One reason that more of us are travelling solo is that it has become much easier in recent years. Below, we’ve explored the reasons why.
Social media has allowed us to stay better connected
It doesn’t matter where in the world we are, we can easily upload a photograph to our social media channels to give our friends back home an update on where we are and what we’re doing. We can also see who is exploring the same places that we are and reach out to potential new friends with a click of a button.
We can speak to friends and family back home
Gone are the days of expensive phone cards and standing in a phone box to contact your friends and family back home. Thanks to apps like Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp, all you need is a Wi-Fi connection, and you can see and speak with your loved ones from the comfort of your own accommodation.
Accommodation doesn’t penalise solo travellers
A wider range of choices for accommodation is now available, with apartments hires such as Airbnb and grown-up versions of hostels both catering for the solo traveller. Just because you’re travelling alone doesn’t mean you have to share a hostel dorm or pay single-occupancy fees in a hotel.
It’s easier to meet people
If you feel nervous at the thought of travelling alone, you can join Facebook groups or connect with like-minded travellers on Instagram prior to your trip. You could easily build up a network of potential friends before you even board a plane.
You can work while you travel
More and more people are working for themselves with many opting to work as they travel. These digital nomads make money at the same time as travelling the world, proving that you don’t need to set down routes to carve out a career. If you have skills that would translate to working remotely, what are you waiting for?
There’s a wide choice of retreats catering for solo travellers
Whether you want to join a silent retreat in Asia, try out a yoga camp in Ibiza or try your hand at cooking local cuisine in Italy, there are countless retreats and experiences based all around the world that focus on attracting solo travellers. If you feel nervous at the thought of travelling completely alone, opt for one of these retreats where you will meet like-minded people.
There is no stigma around travelling solo
The more people travel solo, the less strange it becomes. If you announce to your friends and family that you plan on travelling the world on your own you’re likely to be met with admiration. The more ‘cool’ it becomes to travel solo, the more popular it becomes.
Emma Lavelle is a UK based writer and photographer and has her own blog Field and Nest.
