Solo Travel As a Business and Lifestyle Phenomenon

“The man who goes alone can start today but he who travels with another must wait until the other is ready.” – Henry David Thoreau

If statistics are any indication, many travelers agree with Thoreau. Growing number of people traveling alone rather than wait for others to join them.

Traveling alone in the recent past have totaled 21 million in just the United States and the United Kingdom combined. According to an article in the New York Times in November 2012, Internet searches for “travel packages solo” increased by 60% over the previous year. The Ministry of Tourism Industries Office (“OTTI”) of the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that a staggering 42% of the citizens / residents of the United States who went abroad in 2011, traveled alone. Individual travelers, 38% travel for business or visiting friends and relatives (“VFR”) and 66% for business. Similarly, solo travelers coming from abroad amounted to 36.2%. Of these, 23.6% were for pleasure and 62.2% and for the work. This business phenomenon and lifestyle has increased exponentially.

Who are the individuals?

Traveling alone is a lot more important than just the population group. They can be:

• Two couples on a business “DINK’S” (Dual Income No Kids) trip.

• Those who have relatives or friends abroad.

• The family members who exercise Sports / Leisure separate abroad.

Abercrombie & Kent Fawcett Jill described her solo travelers as “… often married or have partners, but women do not have the same interest … want to travel with like-minded people and the small group gives them a kind of interaction. then back to the privacy of your room … 25% of people who opt for our series of extreme adventures are (also) traveling alone, “he said.” People feel a little safer in a group if the destination is intimidating or there is a barrier the language. ” Travel is only growing at a rapid pace | Phil Hoffman Travel Blog, 10/25/11.

According to Grand Circle Corporation Chairman Alan Lewis, “Women are a growing force in the solo travel market … on the market has increased by only 20% to 25% of the world [Grand Circle] reserves during the last five years. “

Single travelers always play one active. Its growth is evident in Europe and North America where people marry later and America are divorced, widowed or never married. According to an article published March 19, 2013 entitled “The Only Culture Travel Market” http://tourismintelligence.ca, households with a total average person as follows:

• 35% of households in developed countries

• 40% in Finland and Norway (2011)

• 37% in the Netherlands (2011)

• 27% in the United States (2010), 29% in the UK (2011) and 28% in Canada (2011).

How to travel alone?

Solitude does not necessarily mean traveling as a “group of one.” People can choose

1. Visits accompanied groups

Two. Our travel

Three. Traveling alone and choose their own hotels / travel

What are the problems confronting those who travel alone?

There are two major challenges for individual travelers.

• Attractive price: Accommodation, tours and cruises are regularly assessed in double occupancy. Most cruises and tours require a supplement for single travelers. Although this is not necessarily 2X, the price difference can be substantial. This is more pronounced in the packages, cruises especially with “two for the price of one” advance booking of promotionals. As a result, individual travelers may pay couples / 3-4X partners.

• the quality of access and service: In a busy holiday and tourist season, travelers can unaccompanied less desirable accommodation and restaurant tables. In fact, even the 5 star hotels may not be ready to make a reservation for dinner at one, even if the traveler is a hotel guest. This is especially true on Saturday nights and holidays. The alternative may be sitting at the bar for dinner even though the dining room empty tables. On cruises / cruise tours on the river or else “be opened”, the tables are normally fixed for the numbers. The result? These travelers are faced with a buffet “standup” or participate in detective to find a place available.

What is the business opportunity?

This phenomenon is growing exponentially travel and still represent a niche neglected. The opportunity for the industry is important, the priority as follows:

Leisure travelers: This is the highest percentage of industry revenues. However, only a small percentage go for recreation. Beneficiaries: airlines, hotels, travel, concierge services and cars.

Business: Although a small part of the product, a percentage higher than business. On the other hand, may be more important that a person on vacation budget. The same segments of the industry would benefit except travel, except that the possible additions for international travel.

VFR: Visiting friends and family can be met at the airport and access to transport. While staying in a private residence, meals can be taken as often as guests. Therefore, this type of travelers continue to generate new revenue, mainly for the airlines, but it is unlikely to increase the existing market for travel services.

This sector represents an untapped market. Given the large number of professionals and successful business with the right combination of bids leaders, top quality at a good price, both parties benefit. The travel industry will increase existing income and single travelers achieve more competitive prices and access to better quality. It is a market whose time has come.

Solo Travel As a Business and Lifestyle Phenomenon

Business, lifestyle, travel solo, Solo, Travel

via Guide to Travel the World http://worldtraveltourism13.blogspot.com/2013/08/solo-travel-as-business-and-lifestyle.html