In Germany and Europe, the number of singles is steadily increasing. Rosy prospects for providers of single trips: a market with a future.
Trending – the world discover for yourself
DW host Lukas Stege (35), who travels a lot for work and pleasure, appreciates the intensive experience of a solo trip. At the beginning of 2017 he spent almost 100 days alone in Central and South America. From Costa Rica to Argentina. “I love independence! I decide where I go and when. When do I get up? What do I look at? I don't have to ask anyone, coordinate with anyone. That's great. Also: you can get to know people, if that's the only thing gets boring – but you don't have to.”
Happy times: Lukas Stege as a solo traveler hitchhiking traveling in Costa Rica
As luck would have it, Lukas Stege met his future wife on this trip – an unforgettable trip for him.
Traveling solo is cool!
While Lukas Stege is no longer single, he is still a passionate solo traveler whenever possible. He prefers to go to South America. There have always been travel pioneers who set off on adventures in unknown countries alone. But they tended to be the exception. As a solo traveller, however, Lukas Stege is now in the best of company. In Germany, 2.41 million people traveled alone in 2021, of whom 60.5% were men and 29.5% were women, according to a travel analysis commissioned by DW from the Institute for Tourism and Spa Research in Kiel.
It can be assumed that this form of travel gained momentum with the rise of YouTube and Instagram about 15 years ago. With their personality cult, influencers made the image of the solo traveler suitable for the masses. It's not just the travel posts from influencers that inspire, but also their lifestyle: they often travel solo, or suggest that very convincingly and successfully. Those who travel alone today belong to a steadily growing group of like-minded people – and are considered cool.
Influencers like Polish vlogger Eva zu Beck has millions of followers
“Travelling without a partner is associated much more with freedom and autonomy and less with loneliness,” confirms psychologist Christina Miro to DW. She has been researching the effect of travel on people for years. “In contrast to couples and families, solo travelers experience the holiday more intensively. Because during their trip they are on their own and are therefore often confronted with feelings of insecurity and fear. Nevertheless, travelers who traveled alone report how enriching this experience is for she was.”
She also gives very practical reasons that have helped single travel from being a niche product to becoming a trend: “Today, traveling is part of the leisure activity for many people, it has become cheaper and safer. More people can afford at least one trip a year, including young people. There are also many more offers for single travelers than 20 years ago.”
Tailor-made offers from the travel industry
Whether it's an active holiday in the Balearic Islands, a study trip to Oman or a club holiday in Mykonos – the travel industry courts the soloists among holidaymakers with a wealth of tailor-made offers. These are primarily aimed at solo travelers who travel alone but have absolutely no objection to the company of other solo travelers on vacation. This clientele thus uses all the advantages of an organized trip: From the planned travel route, local transport, to organized excursions and hotel bookings. They see the group as an offer, but not a must. And go solo whenever you feel like it.
The most popular form of vacation, also for singles: relaxing and recovering in the sun
“Around one in ten TUI vacationers are traveling alone,” said German industry leader TUI when asked by DW. “Club holidays are particularly in demand due to the group principle and the relaxed atmosphere. For example Ibiza, Mykonos, Bodrum or Mallorca. Solo travelers can spend their holidays there among like-minded people and socialize with other guests through leisure activities.”
Alone but not lonely
Traveling alone and being relaxed is not something everyone can do. TUI has a solution for anyone who finds it difficult to make new acquaintances: These people can count on the help of the “Magic Angels” in selected clubs: “Specially trained service employees bring the guests together in a nice way Contact and fulfill their wishes. For example, they organize dinners, cocktail evenings or excursions together.”
No one is left alone, TUI's Magic Angels make sure of that
The outdoor specialist Wiking Reisen knows about the group dynamic upsets that a single trip can bring with it when customers misunderstand it as a dating site. On his website, he explicitly points out that it's about vacationing together – and not about finding a partner for life. The Hamburg tour operator Sunwave, which has specialized in single trips for many years, is also aware of these psychological shoals: it pays attention to a balanced gender ratio on every trip and couples are not even allowed to come along. Because solo travelers and singles do not want to be surrounded by couples and families.
Single trips are not bargains
The demands of single travelers are happily met, but have their price. Those who travel in pairs share the cost of a room and are in good hands. Solo travelers get off worse at this point. But there are options, they follow the principle: share and save, or live alone and pay more.
Single room occupancy makes single trips expensive fun
For example, Gadventures, one of the world's largest adventure travel companies, is offering to find a same-sex roommate so the cost can be cut in half. Problem solved. If you want to share your room with a stranger. If this is not the case, there is an option to “My Own Room”- at an additional cost. This can amount to several hundred euros.
Spacious apartments or double rooms that are used as single rooms are now the norm. Gone are the days when people traveling alone were assigned a room next to the elevator that was narrow with towels. No tour operator wants to spoil it with the wealthy clientele. More and more singles live in Germany, according to Statista there are currently 22.69 million, by 2030 every second person could be living alone. However, because very few want to travel all alone, organized single travel is a market segment with a future.
No longer single at the end of his solo journey in 2017: Lukas Stege with his partner in Argentina