The Rise of Solo Travel: How Travel Companies Are Meeting Unprecedented Demand

Solo travel isn't just trending—it's booming. And the travel industry is racing to keep up.

The global solo travel market, valued at $482.34 billion in 2024, is projected to more than double to $1.07 trillion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. That represents a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in the travel industry.

For context, the U.S. solo travel market alone generated approximately $95 billion in 2024, with projections suggesting that figure could exceed $190 billion by 2030, as reported in a recent analysis by Tourism and Society Think Tank citing Forbes data.

The question is no longer whether solo travel is here to stay—it's how travel companies are adapting to meet this massive and growing demand.

Who's Driving This Growth?

The data reveals a clear demographic shift. Over 75% of those who planned solo trips in 2024 are Millennials and Gen Z travelers, according to industry reports. But they're not alone.

Female travelers dominate the solo travel market, accounting for 54.4% of all solo travelers in 2024, per Grand View Research. According to Rezgo's analysis of Forbes reporting, 71% of solo travelers are women, with the trend accelerating so rapidly that Europe's largest hostel chain has added significant numbers of female-only dorms to meet demand.

"There has been a remarkable increase in solo travelers since last year across the portfolio," the hostel chain founder stated. "Notably, we've seen a significant bump in solo female travelers."

Baby Boomers are also increasingly embracing solo travel. Forbes reports this generation spends an estimated $157 billion on trips annually, with solo travel accounting for a growing portion of that spend.

What's Fueling the Trend?

Hilton's 2025 Annual Trends Report found that 47% of global respondents "often travel by themselves," coining the term "MeMooning" to describe travelers' desire for personal time focused on stress relief, self-discovery, and mental wellness.

According to Hotelbeds research citing Forbes, 78% of solo travelers prefer immersing themselves in local cultures rather than sticking to traditional tourist spots. American Express's 2024 survey revealed that 57% of respondents preferred quick solo weekend getaways, reflecting the appeal of solo travel for personal rejuvenation and exploration.

The post-pandemic era has also played a significant role. The rise of remote work and digital nomadism—with more than 15 million remote workers worldwide according to The Global Digital Nomad Report 2024—has made solo travel more accessible, allowing professionals to blend work and exploration seamlessly.

How Companies Are Responding

Travel companies across sectors are adapting their offerings to capture this lucrative market:

Hospitality Innovations

Expedia Group's 2025 Traveler Value Index reports that 88% of global consumers plan to take a leisure trip within the next year, with a growing share opting to travel solo. In response, Expedia has expanded safety-focused filters, verified guest reviews, and curated solo-friendly destination guides.

"I'm a firm believer in the benefits of solo travel, especially for women, and I have personally traveled alone to many countries including Hungary and Egypt," says Jess Watts, global Brand Director for Expedia, who has 13 years of travel, tourism and hospitality experience.

IHG Hotels & Resorts launched its "NOMO" (No More FOMO) initiative in Australia—short retreats designed specifically for Millennials seeking restorative time alone. Other hotel brands like Moxy (Marriott), The Hoxton, and Omni are investing in compact rooms, co-working spaces, and communal settings designed for low-pressure social interaction.

Tour Operators Adapt

Luxury safari company Discover Africa reported that solo travel inquiries doubled, with women making up 70% of those bookings, according to Citizen Femme's The Future of Female-Led Travel: 2025-2030 Report.

Road Scholar reports that nearly 30% of their tour participants now travel solo, with an impressive 85% of those being women, as cited by Forbes. Companies like Exodus Travels served over 50,000 solo travelers in 2023, while Intrepid Travel booked more than 35,000 solo adventure trips the same year.

Addressing the Single Supplement Challenge

Historically, the "single supplement"—extra charges for travelers not sharing accommodations—has been a pain point for solo travelers. Forward-thinking companies are now offering alternatives such as opportunities to "buddy up" solo travelers, providing booking flexibility, and offering value-adds to offset any extra costs.

Regional Growth Patterns

Europe continues to lead the solo travel market with a 37.4% share in 2024, according to Grand View Research, driven by its diverse offerings, safe destinations, and appeal during shoulder seasons when prices are lower and crowds thinner.

North America accounts for 26.9% of the market, with the U.S. solo travel market set to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2025 to 2030. International travel among U.S. travelers has grown by 22% in the past year, with 25% planning to take more leisure trips in 2025, according to the 2024 Internova Index: North American Traveler Insights survey.

What This Means for Solo Travelers

The numbers tell a compelling story: solo travel has evolved from a niche market to a mainstream movement, and the industry is investing heavily to accommodate it.

For solo travelers, this translates to more options, better safety features, improved accommodations, and experiences specifically designed for independent exploration. The dreaded single supplement is becoming less common. Social connection opportunities are being built into experiences. And destinations are recognizing that solo travelers aren't looking for "singles" experiences—they're looking for freedom, flexibility, and authentic cultural immersion.

According to Hotelbeds, 64% of recently surveyed travelers indicated that travel helps alleviate stress, making the therapeutic aspects of solo travel a key driver for continued growth.

Looking Ahead

With solo cultural and heritage travel expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.8% from 2025 to 2030, and international solo travel projected to grow at 15.0%, the momentum shows no signs of slowing.

As Forbes declared 2024 "the year of the solo traveler," the data suggests that solo travel has permanently shifted from alternative to mainstream—and the travel industry is betting big on its future.

Sources:

• Grand View Research: Solo Travel Market Report 2025-2030

• Expedia Group: Traveler Value Index 2025

• Hilton: Annual Trends Report 2025

• American Express: 2024 Traveler Survey

• Hotelbeds: Travel Trends Report 2025

• Tourism and Society Think Tank analysis

• Rezgo: Solo Travel Growing Trend Report

• The Global Digital Nomad Report 2024

• Citizen Femme: The Future of Female-Led Travel 2025-2030

• 2024 Internova Index: North American Traveler Insights