Solo travellers spent an estimated £11.6 billion on holidays in 2023, according to a recent study. The travel trend saw a surge in spending of 80% from the previous year, leading to a financial boom for the travel and tourism industry. New research suggests this £5.1 billion increase can be attributed to solo breaks becoming more popular among travellers.
Solo travel is taking the UK by storm, as nearly two-thirds (63%) of Brits say they would consider jetting off alone. In fact, 16% of travellers went on holiday by themselves in 2023 – a 5% rise from 2022.
The study by Go.Compare looked at the growing popularity of solo travel and compared the results to UK travel spending in 2023 to uncover how much single jet-setters contribute to the industry.
Young adults are the most interested in solo travel, with 67% of Brits aged 18 to 24 keen to go it alone.Despite this, solo travellers within this age group spent an estimated £811 million on solo travel in 2023 – just 7% of the total travel spend.
Adults who spent the most on travel were aged between 34 and 44, making up 19% of the total yearly spend. Yet, only 16% of this age group claimed to be interested in solo travel, suggesting a lack of means or funds among those most drawn to lone adventures.
A third (32%) of travellers who typically fly on budget airlines for their holidays would consider a solo travel holiday, according to the insurance comparison site, making this the most likely travel method for future solo breaks. Road trips may also become a popular solo travel method, as 31% of those who usually use their own car for a holiday say they would also consider a solo getaway.
Unsurprisingly, air travel had the largest contribution to the industry last year, with flyers spending over £62.6 billion on holidays in 2023. This suggests that more than £10bn was spent on flights last year for solo travel trips alone.
Rhys Jones, travel expert at Go.Compare, said: “Solo travel can be an excellent opportunity for self-discovery and it appears that more people are looking to experience these personal moments. But, travelling solo can come with unique challenges – from safety concerns to handling unexpected situations alone.
“When it comes to insurance, solo travellers should look for a policy that suits their needs and budget while providing enough cover to allow them to jet off without worry. Whether they’re backpacking across Europe or living it up in New York, having the right cover can bring peace of mind to an exciting solo holiday.”
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