Until recently, solo travel would have been a daunting concept for many people – a style of travel more often reserved for seasoned executives, uninhibited backpackers and intrepid researchers.

Eric Gnock Fah, COO and co-founder of Klook, shares his thoughts on the market promise that’s offered by the rise of solo travel.

Eric Gnock Fah: Different reasons are prompting travellers of all ages to go it alone.

As humans, we have an inherent desire to connect with others and be part of a community, which is why some people harbored doubts about exploring alone. But the tide is turning – and fast.

We commissioned a global Solo Travel survey this October which returned fascinating results. Of the nearly 21,000 people we surveyed around the globe, 76% indicated that they have either traveled alone already or are considering it – regardless of age, gender and nationality.

Yes, you read that right: The vast majority of people are interested in traveling solo.

And with this evolving trend comes promising business opportunities. To make the most of them, it’s important to first understand the reasons behind the modern travelers’ behavior.

As you might anticipate, motivations vary notably by age group: More than half (53%) of Generation Z respondents said the most important reason for solo travel was to have more “me-time” for self-care or to reward themselves and, amongst the younger group, 40% of both Generation Z and Millennials said they were keen to “meet or date new people.” By contrast, 41% of Generation X and 37% of Baby Boomers said they are drawn to the “flexibility of traveling alone.”

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