Increase in reservations for vacation rentals for adult travelers observed in tourism sector
The trend of group vacation trips for solo travelers is on the rise, as more individuals seek a balance between independence and social connection. This shift in travel preferences is driven by various factors, including technological advancements, changing work habits, and a growing interest in thematic travels.
Group Trips for Solo Travelers: Examples and Benefits
Many travel companies now offer group tours specifically designed for solo travelers, allowing individuals to join a planned itinerary with like-minded travelers without the need for a travel companion. Examples include themed group trips like culinary tours, adventure excursions, or cultural explorations, popular among millennials and solo female travelers.
Digital platforms and apps facilitate connections among solo travelers, helping them form informal travel groups or join organized trips, reducing the sense of isolation often felt on solo journeys.
The Rise of Group Vacations: Reasons and Statistics
The freedom and empowerment offered by solo travel, coupled with the social connection and shared experiences provided by group trips, make them increasingly appealing. Safety and logistical ease, particularly for solo female travelers, are also significant factors in the growing popularity of group vacations.
Technological advancements, such as apps and online communities, make it easier for solo travelers to find and join group trips, access real-time information, and feel more secure in unfamiliar environments. With remote/hybrid work trends, travelers can extend stays and choose group travel to balance work and social experiences.
The U.S. solo travel market was valued at approximately $94.88 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow 12.4% annually through 2030. In the UK, 24% of people plan solo trips in 2025, with a 30% rise in searches for solo travel deals or destinations.
Case Studies: Group Vacations in Action
In Fuerteventura, Spain, an adult surf camp offers a unique opportunity for solo travelers to bond and learn to surf in a group setting. Raphael Terwagne, a deputy director of a supermarket, chose the camp to avoid being alone on vacation, as scheduling with friends proved complicated.
Regina Panfilova, a hiker, chose the date for her trip as it was her birthday and expressed joy about the group. The camp accommodates the surfers in a house with separate living quarters for women upstairs and men downstairs.
Meanwhile, a group of 12 female hikers embarked on a seven-day loop around Mont Blanc in Le Fayet, Haute-Savoie. The hikers, aged between 25 and 33, set up camp and shared tents each evening. Some hikers in the group came with friends, while others attended alone, hoping to form connections.
Virginie Bourgois, 46, has participated in several trips organized by the agency and appreciates the reassuring framework. The experience feels like a journey back in time for some participants. The hikers traverse three alpine countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland, with the agency providing essentials such as water and picnic for the journey.
Bookings for such trips offered by the agency have increased by 82% in the last two years, reflecting the growing demand for group vacation trips for solo travelers. The hikers' group in Le Fayet and the surfers in Fuerteventura are prime examples of this trend.
[1] Solo Travel Market Report 2025, Solo Traveler Magazine [2] Solo Travel Trends 2025, Travel + Leisure [3] Solo Travel Statistics 2025, Booking.com [4] Women's Solo Travel Market Report 2025, Travel Girls [5] Millennial Solo Travel Market Report 2025, Forbes Travel Guide
- The rising trend of group vacations for solo travelers is also evident in health-and-wellness pursuits such as the adult surf camp in Fuerteventura, Spain, where individuals connect and learn new skills like surfing.
- In the realm of science and technology, digital platforms and apps now facilitate connections among solo travelers, fostering the formation of informal travel groups or the joining of organized trips.
- Coupled with the growing popularity of thematic travels, lifestyle preferences are increasingly leaning towards fitness-and-exercise activities, as demonstrated by the group of 12 female hikers who embarked on a seven-day loop around Mont Blanc.
