Cruises are a popular option particularly with women and those over 70
With changing lifestyles, solo travel is set to boom, coinciding with the rise of solo holidays, tech-savvy travellers and a future as nomadic workers, says the 2024 travel trends research by British travel firm Saga, which adds that the potential growth from the over-50s shouldn’t be under-estimated.
In a press statement, the 70-year-old travel company says that with its data showing a significant increase in solo travellers booking holidays next year, the lifestyle brand for people over 50 has been delving into that, and other trends with its customers for its 2024 travel research.
It says that 20 pc of its customers plan to travel solo in 2024 and women are significantly more likely to travel on their own than men, as they look for adventure and independence. Saga adds that 47 pc of solos travelling in a group make long-term friends and 11 pc form a romantic relationship.
It says that reasons for solo travel include no longer being prepared to wait for others and feeling ‘if not now, then when?’ and those travellers return home feeling proud of themselves.
Another key finding is that 56 pc of over-50s already hold a travel booking for next year and 39 pc plan to travel more in 2024 than previous years.
Saga says that its customers are far more digitally savvy than they’re often given credit for. By 2027 15-million people will be in ‘active retirement’ leading to more older people working nomadically and that the trend is not just for the millennials.
Saga, which offers a range of holidays including escorted tours through both Saga and sister company Titan Travel, independent trips as part of its tailor-made offering, hosted hotels, and cruises, has witnessed an increase of more than 20 pc in solo travellers booking holidays for 2024 versus 2023.
That growth, and the reasons behind it, formed part of Saga’s research into its customers’ 2024 travel habits, which showed that 20 pc of the nearly 3,000 of customers asked, plan to travel solo next year. And there is a significant split between the sexes, a trend consistent with last year’s findings, with 28 pc of women versus 12 pc of men travelling single.
It says that 82 pc of those solo travellers have already planned to travel outside of the UK in 2024, and of that, 68 pc are female. While 91 pc are experienced solo travellers, who have already enjoyed an average of five trips, and 9 pc are travelling on their own for the first time in 2024. The average age of the first solo trip is 47 years old.
Saga says that with women proving themselves more independent and adventurous, the solo travel trend is here to stay as 48 pc of females and 30 pc of males are saying they would rather travel now, than wait for someone to come with them and feeling ‘if not now, then when?’, as they use solo travel to explore who they are and expand their horizons.
Long-haul touring holidays are the most popular types of trips with 42 pc of respondents, while cruises are also a popular option particularly with women and those over 70.
The reasons are both social and practical, with having someone to chat to or simply have lunch with among the top desires for solo travellers. However, any concerns about loneliness appear to be unfounded as 47 pc of respondents who have travelled on their own told Saga that they had made friends they’ve stayed in touch with, and 11 pc had made a romantic connection.
John Constable
“Over 50s are an audience often ignored by many brands, including those in the travel industry, yet they make up 38 pc of the population and as our recent research shows, they are not to be under-estimated.
Their desire to travel is unabated with 56 pc already holding bookings and 39 pc expecting to travel more in 2024 than in previous years. And we’re seeing a rise in solo holidays because they feel ‘if not now, then when?’ and want to have new experiences. Not only will they see the world, but it’s also a great way to meet new people,’’ says John Constable, CEO of Saga Travel Group.
“They are also far more digitally savvy than they are given credit for through both their booking behaviours and whilst on holiday. A skill that will put them in good stead as the number of active retirees grow in coming years who are likely to choose to work as they travel,” adds Constable.
