studentsineurope

Dinner for One?

The Recession is Forcing Travellers to go Solo

Even though the recession has turned many peoples lives upside down, many are still finding the resources to enjoy the finer things in life. One particular joy that has seen a rise in numbers is to travel abroad.

Travelling abroad to a different country to experience a different culture and to meet different people is what makes travelling so exciting and invigorating.

It is also a time that many use to reflect, a time to break away from the system and to realise what it is that you want in life.

However, the way we travel and who we travel with is changing.

So much so that, thanks to the recession, it is not uncommon to see student travellers undertaking a solo holiday, due to their friends’ lack of funds.

According to a recent survey released by ebookers.com,  as much as 15 percent of travellers have taken a solo holiday in the last 12 months.

What is becoming known as ’solidays’ have grown in popularity because friends and family are finding it hard to raise the necessary funds due to the recession. However despite the fact that many do not have a travel companion with them shows that it is not affecting their sense of European adventure.

Ben Reynolds, head of marketing at ebookers.com, said that ”The recession is changing the way we travel, with people looking at new ways to ensure they can still jet off on a break this year. The soliday seems to be emerging as a trend for people who can still afford a break.”

Those who were questioned for the survey were aged between 18 and 25. However, despite the fact that solidays are rising, lone travellers prefer to keep their trips short, with the average solo holiday between five to seven days.

Ben Reynolds went on to say: ”Despite friends and family being impacted by the recession choosing to stay at home, soliday-makers have found a way to plan and book travel carefully to ensure they get a bargain break – even if it means going alone.”

Yet, if you find yourself without a travel companion as you enjoy dinner for one, just think about what you can do without feeling tied down with someone you may not get along with. After all, who hasn’t at least once experienced another side of their friends that they didn’t know existed before they decided to travel with them? Travelling seems to bring out the worst in people and could as a result ruin your holiday while putting a strain on your friendship.

Reasons why friends and family suddenly reveal their darker, annoying, picky side could be due to a number of reasons: you’re constantly together, the weight of the backpacks, a different country, the need to be in control, the complete freedom without the need to worry about parents, or even jealously.

And yet whatever the reason, a solo holiday could provide you with the freedom to choose where you want to go and what you want to do no matter how long or short your trip is.