The shoulder season from September to October is usually a quiet time for travel, but this year it’s booming due to the growing popularity of solo travel. Skift Research’s Travel Health Index: Highlights for September 2024 shows a 7% year-over-year increase.
The ‘State of Travel’ report published earlier this year confirms the growing popularity of solo travel. Searches for “solo travel” on Google will double in 2023 compared to 2018.
Rising trends in European shoulder season
For the first time since the pandemic, hotel demand is increasing during Europe’s shoulder season. Hotel bookings this year increased by 5% over 2019 levels. This increase was primarily driven by personal travel, which accounted for 69% of all hotel bookings during the period.
The lure of avoiding the crowds, enjoying low prices and escaping the summer heat has led more solo travelers to explore Europe in the off-season.
Globally, hotel revenue from solo travelers has increased significantly over the past five years. Solo travelers are spending 20% more on hotel bookings compared to 2019.
Japan and Fiji are also benefiting from the growing solo travel trend. For more information, read the latest September 2024 highlights and Travel Health Index dashboard.
