Forget the annoying travel buddies, almost a third (32%) of Australians are planning to travel solo in 2015, according to a survey of 4100+ people by leading travel and lifestyle site lastminute.com.au.
The research revealed a real appetite for travelling alone, with 61% of the 4100+ respondents stating they have travelled solo previously, while a quarter (25%) of people who haven’t travelled solo would like to ‘at some point’.
According to lastminute.com.au spokesperson, Louise Ryan, both men and women travel solo for many reasons, and not just because they are single or lacking travel companions.
“From wanting to celebrate ‘me time’, to the desire to unapologetically pursue a personal interest such as yoga, surfing, shopping or cooking classes; the research revealed both sexes are equally likely to enjoy a solo holiday adventure”
Louise Ryan, lastminute.com.au spokesperson
Regardless of their reason to travel, the survey revealed that ‘freedom and the ability to do what I want to do, when I want to do it’ was overwhelmingly the number one reason for Australians to travel alone”.
According to the survey, the top five best reasons to travel solo are:
- Freedom: doing exactly what I want to do, when I want to do it – 53%
- I can be spontaneous and change my plans – 17%
- Meeting new people – 15%
- Getting to know myself better – 5%
- Total cultural immersion – 4%
Of those who haven’t travelled solo, a quarter of people (25%) admit they’d like to travel solo at some point, however there are certain doubts which are currently turning them off, including:
- I wouldn’t feel safe on my own – 29%
- I’d get bored on my own – 25%
- I wouldn’t want to offend my partner – 25%
- It is too expensive – 18%
- My kids tie me down (not literally, of course) – 13%
“My advice to those who are a little hesitant, but would like to try travelling solo, is to perhaps ease yourself into it by spending a night or two away in Australia to make sure it’s your type of thing! For example, take a trip to Byron Bay, or shop till you drop in Melbourne for the weekend. That way, if you end up enjoying it, you can plan an overseas independent adventure, with the added assurance that you’ll enjoy a solo escape” said Louse Ryan, Lastminute.com.au ‘s spokesperson.
Top five destinations for solo travellers in 2015:
1.Melbourne
The perfect Australian destination to spend days getting lost in the laneways, sipping coffee, browsing galleries and shopping without any disruptions or places to be. Retreat in the evening to any of Melbourne’s cute CBD boutique hotels.
2. Bali, Indonesia
The Island of The Gods is an incredibly popular solo destination thanks to Julia Roberts’s solo adventure in movie Eat, Pray, Love. Whether you are after a yoga style retreat, surfing escapade, or a flop ’n’ drop style resort holiday, Bali is an accessible, affordable and relaxing escape for solo travellers.
3.New York, USA
Avoid having to compromise with a travel buddy and do what you want when you want in the city that doesn’t sleep. Explore an art museum, people watch in Central Park, nab spare of the moment tickets to the theatre, have a drink at a neighbourhood bar, cross the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York to-do-list is endless.
4.Byron Bay, NSW:
If you haven’t travelled solo before, Byron is the perfect place to start. The friendly locals of this northern NSW beach town are sure to put you at ease. The local mantra is all about relaxation and rejuvenation so you can enjoy long coastal walks, beachside cafes and refreshing dips in the ocean.
5. Ireland:
Visit the national home to some of the friendliest people on earth and you are bound to be taken in by the locals just by sitting at a pub and striking up a conversation. Keep costs down by staying in cozy countryside hotels.