Women are increasingly taking solo trips to get a break away from the stress of work and family life.
Travel firms are seeing a surge in women, mostly older, booking holidays alone.
Overall, solo bookings have increased by 20 per cent over the past two years for Intrepid Travel and Explore Worldwide.
But females are taking the lead, with 62 per cent of Intrepid Travel’s solo trips being booked by women.
Joanna Reeve, UK director of the company, explained that the women booking Intrepid trips are often between 45 and 60 years old and ‘now want to take time for themselves’ after decades working or raising their family.
She told The Guardian: ‘They tend to opt for destinations where they can soak up different cultures like Morocco, India and Peru, but they also enjoy active walking or cycling trips in Europe.’
The trips are often booked according to their own tastes and don’t have to cater to their friends or family, according to the travel boss.
Another company, Jules Verne, which offers tour packages around the world, also reported an increase.
Women are increasingly taking solo trips to get a break away from the stress of work and family life (stock)
Some 46 per cent of next year’s bookings are solo travellers, a 40 per cent increase from last year, and just shy of 70 per cent of its current trips are women travelling alone.
Jules Verne boss Debbie O’Neill explained how women now want to venture ‘on their own terms’.
She said: ‘Many of our travellers have families, partners and full social lives, but they also value the freedom to explore on their own terms.
‘Joining a small group tour gives them the best of both worlds: the joy of shared moments and the space to follow their own curiosity.’
Independent travel agent network Advantage Travel Partnership has also seen an increase in solo trips.
Chief executive, Julia Lo Bue-Said, told PA: ‘We are seeing more and more people who are comfortable in the decision to travel in a group but on their own, not with families.’
River cruises and adventure trips are increasingly attracting female solo travellers, too, agency Barrhead Travel told the Independent.
Managing director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell explained it is ‘quite common’ for people to head away on their own, ‘because perhaps it’s something that they’ve always wanted to do’.
Joanna Reeve, UK director of Intrepid Travel, explained that the women booking onto trips are often between 45 and 60 years old and ‘now want to take time for themselves’ after decades working or raising their family (stock)
She added: “Women in particular are a growing market for solo travel.
‘Some of the drivers of this trend are the increase in options for group touring with like-minded individuals, as well as the world becoming more accessible.”
Solo bookings for river cruises have increased by 31 per cent for the travel agency.
Meanwhile, solo adventure holidays have increased by 20 per cent compared to last year.
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More women than ever are booking solo trips – to take a break from their family
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