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Earlier this month, Allianz published its travel forecast for 2024. Unsurprisingly, one trend continues to stand out the most.
Travelers have learned a lot in recent years, especially that all the fun can be taken away in an instant.
Now that we’re well past country entry requirements, travelers are doing their part to break tourism records across the map.
But one particular type of travel remains the biggest trend of all. That’s flying solo.
Packing your bags and exploring the unknown has become extremely popular. If we are completely honest with ourselves about how the world has been shaped, it is easy to understand why.
Focus on overall health
According to Allianzmore than half of travelers between the ages of 18 and 34 focus on self-care; 42% of travelers are planning a trip alone this year.
Self-care and solo travel go hand in hand these days. There are still some haters who give their two cents to solo travelers with unwanted input like, “Won’t you be lonely?”, “Don’t your friends want to come with you?”, and the classic, “What are you running from ?”.
Travelers turn a blind eye to the haters and come home lighter, refreshed and rejuvenated.
Whether it’s solitude in a cabin in the woods, a yoga retreat or getting lost in the hustle and bustle of cultural cities, personal growth is hot right now – whatever that means for you.
Not just backpackers anymore
“Backpacking” has been a common travel trend intertwined with “solo travel” for years, but the trend has evolved.
Solo travel is no longer stinking hippies cramming all their belongings into an obnoxiously sized backpack.
The trend is broad, full of people who simply want to explore the wonders of the world without having to rely on anyone else for company and without having to adhere to anyone else’s schedule.
How many times have we asked someone to go out or travel and received the response “Sorry, I’m busy”?
Does this mean we have to put our lives on pause? Travelers from all demographics are taking matters into their own hands and braving the world on their own.
Embracing individuality
According to a study conducted by Learned awaymore and more married women are traveling alone, without their husbands.
The reasons for this vary, but the bottom line is that solo travelers embrace their individuality. Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean you have to agree on everything, and that includes vacations.
One partner may prefer cruises, while the other wants a golf trip. The same goes for age. Why should a number stop us from achieving our dreams?
Society tends to tell us we’re ‘too this’ or ‘too that’, but those are usually the kind of people who stay in their bubble.
While the road can quickly age us, solo travel is no longer just for the younger generation. More and more travelers approaching the age to take advantage of social security benefits are also leaving on their own.
The digital nomad lifestyle
Remote workers have benefited from not having to report to a physical location. For frequent travelers, it’s a dream lifestyle where some sacrifice pays for overall happiness.
These digital nomads often adopt this lifestyle on their own, hopping around from destination to destination until their visas expire or they simply yearn for a new place to call their temporary home.
Much to the chagrin of many stubborn bosses, digital nomads are winning the battle for remote work.
Just look around for the “For Rent” signs at your local office buildings. If you can easily pack your basics, a laptop and a passport, who wouldn’t at least give it a try?
While there are certainly downsides to this lifestyle, those who give it their all and live it to the fullest see it as one of the most productive ways to see the world.
Basically, getting paid to travel doesn’t sound like a bad gig, right?
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
