Go it alone: solo trip on the rise as travellers opt for “me time”

More Britons are choosing to travel on their own, using apps and social media, as it means a holiday without compromises.

Solo travel is on the rise as a growing number of holidaymakers opt for trips that allow them to “do what they want”. Around 15% of travellers took a trip on their own in the last year, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta). The figure is up from 12% last year.

The age range that showed the biggest increase was that of 35-44 year olds, with more than 16% taking a trip alone: the figure for 2017 was just 5%. Having the opportunity to do whatever they wanted was the most common reason given by three-quarters of people surveyed in all age groups, while taking time out and meeting new people have become less important, according to the report.

The upward trend over the last decade is attributed to improved technology and a growing number of apps (alongside social media) that enable travellers to navigate the world with more ease and confidence alone: from instant language translation, free global messaging and other roaming options, to apps that connect people with other solo travellers or local hosts for dinner, tours or a bed for the night.

Travel companies have responded to demand by offering a range of options for people booking by themselves. Tour operators, such as Intrepid Travel, have doubled its offering of independent trips this year and says “solos” now represent 50% of its customers. Its small group tours for solo travellers aim to offer a “ready-made group of friends”

Abta reported that, overall, the number of British people taking a holiday remained high, with 86% of respondents taking a holiday at home or abroad in the 12 months to August 2018. Package holidays remain a popular choice for holidays abroad and city breaks were still the most popular type of trip: 48% of those surveyed having taken one this year, closely followed by beach holidays (40%).

Despite the positive figures from Abta, the British tourist authority chairman Steve Ridgway’s response had a note of caution, in light of Brexit: “We face a number of significant challenges, the most important, the UK’s departure from the European Union. We want to ensure that the future relationship keeps our borders as frictionless as possible for visitors, our aviation as connected as ever and our economic stability on track, because tourism depends on this.”

Adapted from The Guardian 9^th October 2018

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

1. More and more travellers want to feel free when choosing their holiday activities.
2. Agents have had no reaction to solo travelling.
3. British people no longer choose holidays which include everything they need to travel.
4. Future political changes may affect the tourist industry.

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

1. Why are more and more people taking a holiday on their own?
2. How does technology help solo travelers?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

1. to choose (par.2)
2. chance (par.3)
3. ascending (par.4)
4. variety (par.5)
5. to confront (par.7)

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose and write the most suitable answer (a, b, c or d) according to the text and write the sentence onto your worksheet

1. The British tourist authority is cautious...

a) although the positive figures from Abta.

b) however, Abta gave positive figures.

c) even though Abta gave positive figures.

d) due to the positive figures from Abta.

2. Solo travellers would not feel so confident...

a) unless they have apps to help them.

b) if they used apps to help them.

c) whether they used apps to help them.

d) if they did not have apps to help them.

3. Social media and apps help solo travellers...

a) to contact their local agent.

b) talk to their group partners.

c) help them with the language barrier in foreign countries.

d) book a table at a restaurant.

Question 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:

Advantages and disadvantages of package holidays.

KEY

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

1. TRUE “Solo travel is on the rise as a growing number of holidaymakers opt for trips that allow them to “do what they want” OR “Having the opportunity to do whatever they wanted was the most common reason given”
2. FALSE “Travel companies have responded to demand by offering a range of options for people booking by themselves”
3. FALSE “Package holidays remain a popular choice for holidays abroad”
4. TRUE “Despite the positive figures from Abta, the British tourist authority chairman Steve Ridgway’s response had a note of caution, in light of Brexit”

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

1. There is a growing number of people travelling alone since this way of travelling offers them the freedom to choose what they can do; whereas before they wanted to have time for themselves or just meet new friends.
2. Technology helps solo travellers as they feel they can rely on it if they have problems with the language and can communicate easily with other people travelling on their own; what’s more, they can even contact locals, who they can meet for dinner or for accommodation.

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

1. to opt for
2. opportunity
3. upward
4. range
5. to face

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose the most suitable answer (a, b or c) according to the text.

1. c) ...even though Abta gave positive figures.

2. d) if they did not have apps to help them.

3. c) help them with the language barrier in foreign countries.