TAIPEI (TVBS News) —The number of solo travelers has increased in recent years, as many credit the feeling of independence and not having to wait for others as the main factors.
According to a survey from SoloTravelerWorld.com, more than a quarter of travelers (27%) said they plan to go solo on their next trip. This figure is double compared to previous years.
Solo travel hashtags have also seen an almost tenfold increase on TikTok in the last three years, marking a significant global trend.
However, experts suggest that for first-time solo travelers, taking a trip in their own country or to neighboring regions is a good way to start.
Servas International Co-Peace Secretary Mei Wang advised, “If you haven't started yet, and it’s your first time as a solo traveler, you can start with local trips and gain experience of what it's like.”
“Then, you can start your solo travel abroad, for example, Japan, Korea, and Singapore,” she added.
Data indicates that the trend is evident not only among young adults but also among older individuals.
Solo travelers aged 50 and above have increased, with travel agencies reporting that these globetrotters prefer more luxurious packages and high-priced tours.
Compared to the pre-pandemic period, 2023 saw the number of solo travelers aged 55 and above increase by 55%.
In particular, the survey saw more women than men among these independent travelers.
“Travelers between 50 and 60 years old have relatively good physical strength, so solo traveling is relatively easy and not a problem for them at all,” Lion Travel Service Co. PR Director Rene Shan said.
“We observed that they like to go to various unique travel destinations, with longer days spent abroad, higher prices, and higher quality.”
These destinations are often located in European and South American countries, and even cruise ships, where the packages often range between NT$300,000 and NT$1 million.
With the continuous drop in birth rates, and more people choosing to remain single, solo traveling is likely to become the norm soon as vacationers seek out time alone to replenish themselves and explore a new corner of the earth.
