WITH many references to “the holiday made it out of the group chat” on TikTok this year, Cardiff Airport wants to de-influence this trend and emphasise solo travel for those who may not get to experience travelling with groups of people or partners.
New research from Cardiff Airport has shown a huge spike in the term “solo travel holidays” over the past three months, increasing by 49% in Google searches.
However, the term “solo travel” generates, on average, 5,400 searches a month for those looking to get away to spend time with themselves.
Brad Williams Communications Officer from Cardiff Airport, discusses five ways to choose the perfect travel destination for your first solo trip:
Go somewhere that feels familiar
“If you’re planning your first solo trip, you don’t want to go anywhere that’s completely new to you. This doesn’t mean it can’t be a new city or country, but think about the infrastructure, language, food and culture, as long as something there is slightly familiar, then it won’t be too overwhelming.”
Look at forums for advice on safety
“As a solo traveller, you’re probably worrying about the safety aspects of the trip. Women, especially, have to think about where it’s safe to go by themselves, so it’s really important to research where you’re going before paying for the holiday.
Read up on areas that are known to be welcoming and well-suited to those travelling alone. If you know people who’ve been to locations that you’re looking at, then ask them if they would choose to go there alone, and whether they felt safe in that location. Speaking to people first-hand is going to be your best port-of-call!”
Consider what you actually want from this trip
“One of the biggest perks, if not THE biggest perk, of solo travel is that you can do exactly what you want to do. Rather than just picking somewhere that’s cheap or you’ve seen on TikTok, consider whether or not the location is actually what you want from your trip.
If you’re someone who loves checking out museums and tourist attractions, then find somewhere that you can pack with those activities.
Equally, if you’re someone who just needs a week away with a cocktail and a book, look at places that are known for this. Look at places that are offering what you’re taking this holiday for, whether this be walking, relaxing or art and culture.”
Pick somewhere that has good connectivity
“Especially if it’s your first solo trip, it really does help to pick somewhere that has reliable transport links, wifi, even if you’re planning on switching off and disconnecting.
It’ll help you stay in touch with people at home, especially mums and dads who might be worrying a bit because they’ve seen ‘Taken’ too many times.
You’ll also feel a lot more at ease being able to find your way around a strange location.”
Think about how long you want to go for
“For a first solo trip, it’s worth matching this to your comfort level. A shorter trip, or a long weekend, can be a nice and easy way to take the plunge and get rid of some fears you might be experiencing, such as flying alone, before committing to something longer.
Once you’ve done it once, you can always book future trips for a longer period of time, or further away, as your confidence grows!”
Whether it’s a long weekend exploring somewhere familiar or the first step towards a longer adventure further afield, solo travel is proving to be more than just a passing trend.
With more people choosing to prioritise their own company over the group chat getaway, taking the time to research, plan and choose the right destination can make all the difference between a daunting first trip and an empowering experience.
