Will Single Travellers Take Over?

A recent Mintel report shows that over 5 million Britons travelled alone this year and this is expected to be one of the fastest growing travel sectors in future years. Although 70% of Wellbeing Escapes clients are single travellers, the sheer size of this figure surprised me, although given the fact that 39% of the adult British polulation live alone it shouldn't! This number is set to get even bigger with projections that by 2031 single households will represent 45% of the population in the UK.

This is largely about women driving the trend. We are talking about confident,professional and independent women who unlike previous generations don't think twice about going off to do their own thing and get what they want out of a holiday. Busy schedules and the desire not to have to satisfy other people's needs on holiday are a main factor - many of our clients have partners, and some even families but choose to have at least one holiday on their own. Some may call this selfish (my mother just can't understand why I would go away without my family!) but a wellbeing holiday is a perfect way to recharge your batteries and focus on yourself. What is so selfish about that?...surely if we are energised, calm and focused we can be a better friend, partner, parent or even employee.

The majority of holiday companies and hotels are still punishing the single traveller with hefty single supplements. The excuse/reason is that the room at a hotel can be filled with 2 people bringing double the income but lets get real - how many hotels are 100% full all year round with couples and families?...If the travel industry wants to take this sizeable sector of the market seriously they need to start catering to their needs. We work very hard to get lots of no single supplement deals for our clients as we don't see why they should be hit with extra costs for the room, especially since they are spending more on treatment packages than most clients. Long live the Single Traveller!

Stella