KAYAK has revealed that 42% of Brits are planning to travel solo within the next 12 months.
The company has also revealed that 72% of Brits plan to dine solo in the next year with solo diners spending 32% more per person than the average diner.
Younger generations are also leading the shift with 80% planning to dine solo in the next 12 months and 90% either already desiring or planning a solo trip.
Berlin, Paris and Dublin ranked top three destinations for those looking to experience solo travel and dining.
KAYAK has partnered with restaurant discovery and booking platform, OpenTable to launch the ultimate guide to solo travel and dining.
The guide offers an insight into the hottest travel destinations, must-visit restaurants and expert tips.
Millennials and Gen Z revealed as solo ambassadors
New consumer data, conducted by both brands supports this seen trend, with 72% of Brits planning to dine solo in the next year and nearly half (42%) are going on a solo trip.
The younger generations are no longer waiting around for a plus one to be available before booking their dream trip or eating in their favourite restaurant and are embracing solo experiences instead.
Approximately 80% of Gen Zs and Millennials are planning to dine solo in the next 12 months, compared to 68% of Gen X and 57% of Boomers.
While on the travel side, about 90% of Millennials and Gen Zs are either already planning or desiring taking a solo trip in their lifetime, while older generations showed more modest interest (77% of Gen X’s and 73% of Boomers).
Solo travel and dining = self-care
Solo travel has become the perfect opportunity for travellers to challenge themselves and experience something outside of their comfort zone.
Among the reasons people appreciate jetting off without a plus one, 54% of respondents say they love the freedom to explore new places on their own terms and in their own time and over two in five (44%) enjoy the fact they don’t have to align their plans with someone else.
Solo travel also offers over one in four (28%) people a chance to disconnect, recharge and focus on self-care.
Nearly two in five Brits (39%) would choose to dine solo when they need a break from socialising, with over a quarter (28%) revealing that their number one reason they appreciate dining alone is because they enjoy their ‘me time’.
Additionally, 21% view solo dining as a part of their regular self-care routine.
Solo doesn’t mean lonely
More than half (58%) of solo travellers have formed lasting relationships – whether friendly or romantic – on previous trips, and 44% say they are open to a holiday romance.
This may explain why nearly a quarter (24%) of Brits book a double room when travelling solo.
Top destinations for solo travellers and diners according to KAYAK and OpenTable3
The survey data shows the most common types of trips that appeal to solo travellers are city breaks (71%), outdoor vacations such as hiking (49%) and beach resorts (47%).
Top destinations include Berlin, Paris, Dublin, Dubai and Sydney, Australia.
Agents can access the Solo Travel and Dining Guide here: https://www.kayak.co.uk/c/
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