Travelzoo is spearheading a new campaign urging the industry to do more for solo travellers.
On the back of exclusive research, the deals publisher has launched ‘Solo September’ and issued a rallying call to the trade to support the initiative.
UK general manager Joel Brandon-Bravo said: “The number of people travelling solo every year has doubled since 2010. Surprisingly, 60% of people travelling alone are in relationships and 38% have already travelled solo.
“It’s not just young backpackers or older widowed people, but customers who are choosing to do something that interests them. It’s a growing market – yet the biggest frustration is single supplements.”
Brandon-Bravo said he received a groundswell of support when he presented his research at Abta’s Solo Travel Conference in June.
“There were about 50 suppliers in the room. When I asked for a show of hands for support for a campaign, 49 did so,” he said.
Travelzoo will launch a website, Soloseptember.com, on September 1 and has designed a logo for supporters to use to support the campaign.
The site will feature solo travel deals with no or very low single supplements that can be booked in September. They will range from late deals for this year through to 2019 holidays.
Participating companies so far are Caribtours, Collette, Cox & Kings, On The Go Tours, Riviera Travel, STA Travel and Travel Club Elite. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Premier Holidays and Titan are close to joining, Brandon-Bravo said.
As well as curated solo traveller deals, Travelzoo’s site will explain to consumers what #SoloSeptember is about through video blogs and include a list of supporting partners and suppliers.
Brandon-Bravo stressed: “This is bigger than Travelzoo. Our members are everyone else’s customers, so we want to rally the travel industry to see solo travel as an opportunity. It will only get momentum if everyone is on board – a rising tide lifts all ships.”
Those interested in participating in the initiative should contact Marisa McCloskey MMcCloskey@travelzoo.com