Lonely Planet calls on travel industry to support solo travellers

Rear view shot of a woman sitting and relaxing on canal at Venice while looking gondolas.

People’s sentiments about travelling alone are somewhat similar to tequila, you either love it or you hate it.

But how supported are solo travellers by the industry?

With so many programs dedicated to groups and families, it makes sense solo travellers can sometimes feel a little, well, solo.

In a recent study from Lonely Planet, the travel giant found that one in three Aussies say they have felt disadvantaged while travelling alone.

As well as this, the research shows the growing number of solo travellers face higher costs than those travelling with family or friends, including an average of nearly 20 per cent on travel insurance and over 50 per cent on accommodation.

Surveying members of their online global community, Lonely Planet found that despite the dsiadvantages solo travellers has been faced with, 85 per cent of those asked having taken or planning to take a solo trip in the future.

Examples given in the survey by solo travellers of poor service from the industry included lack of choice in organised excursions and poor service in restaurants and bars.

According to the results, one in two Australian travellers said that they have had to pay a single person supplement when travelling alone, and 90 per cent of those surveyed said they would look more positively on a company that did not charge this.

Restaurants were also particularly criticised by respondents to the survey, with typical comments involving poor service from staff, being seated in the worst places and even being refused bookings.

Lonely Planet Spokesperson Chris Zeiher said of the results: “Travelling solo can be one of the most rewarding ways of experiencing any destination, and most travellers will find themselves alone on the road at some point in their travelling lives.

“Sadly, a significant number of travellers cite a lack of choice or increased cost as a barrier to this type of travel.

“The profile of the solo traveller has changed substantially over the last few years and is now spread across age groups, diverse backgrounds and, interestingly, evenly balanced across gender.

“Over the coming years we expect the desire to travel alone to continue its growth, setting the challenge for tourism providers to better serve this popular and lucrative travel trend.”

In September of last year, Travel Weekly reported that roughly 37 per cent of you would be interested in spending some time with numero uno.

The YouGov research looked into exactly what single people will and won’t do alone, from going on a walk to travelling the world.

According to the research, 27 per cent of people would go on a local holiday alone, and 58 per cent have already done it.

YouGov also found 41 per cent of people have gone on a holiday abroad alone, and 37 per cent said they would be willing to go overseas alone, but almost 20 per cent of people said they haven’t, and wouldn’t be willing to.

Do you have something to say on this issue? Get in touch with Travel Weekly Editor Daisy Doctor here to share your thoughts.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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