Traveling is a way to discover new corners of the world, cultures and foods very different from ours, incredible beauties that we would never have dreamed of. But it’s also a way to open the mind: and what’s better than leaving alone or in the company of unknown people, to live a different and much deeper experience? More and more Italians decide to take this type of holiday, driven by desire to try something new and enjoy the journey without worrying about satisfying the needs of others other than your own.
Traveling, a priority for Italians
After the pandemic, traveling has become a priority again for many Italians. According to the study ofEy Future Travel Behaviors Observatory, as many as 9 out of 10 (i.e. 96%) intend to take at least one trip during 2024 – and many will leave during the summer. But the real surprise is the new trend that is literally becoming popular in Italy too: it is “solo travel”, which consists of leaving alone to experience an adventure. L’Hilton Travel Trend Report 2024 interviewed thousands of Italians and 6 out of 10 said they were ready to travel alone.
The new travel trend
The “solo travel” trend has now become a real habit for Italians too. Confirmation also comes from the web: an analysis conducted by the BBC revealed that the search key “solo trips” it has doubled in the last 12 months, compared to 2018. On social media, it is a trend that has no rivals. Suffice it to say that the hashtag #solotravel has increased tenfold on TikTok in the last 3 years, while on Instagram there are over 7.9 million posts that include it in the description. Why choose this travel mode? Many people set out on their own because, once they have dispelled what was a real taboo for a long time, they have discovered the pleasure of following your own rhythms and indulge only your own desires.
There is also another travel trend that is becoming increasingly popular in Italy. This is the holiday in the company of perfect strangers: according to the analysis conducted by WeRoad, in partnership with Skipper, there are many reasons why you can have fun together with people you’ve never met before. 50% of travelers do so out of a desire for all-round freedom, while 37% are driven by a spirit of adventure and discovery and 31% by interest in local cuisine. What is the identikit of the tourist who prefers to leave with strangers? These are young professionalsaged between 25 and 49 yearswithout a partner, with a demanding job that prevents them from having time to cultivate friendships.
Indeed, traveling in the company of unknown people can have numerous advantages. Research conducted by the Center for the promotion of imports from developing countries (CBI) reveals them to us: the majority of tourists choose to travel with strangers to meet new adventure companions (80% of those interviewed). 56% instead declared they do it because this way there is the possibility of reach unusual destinations, while 46% because they don’t like having to organize their own holiday and prefer to leave in peace. Finally, 38% opt for this travel sharing so as not to feel limited by language barriers.
