The World Tourism Fair 2025 ended in mid-March in Paris. According to a recent study by the Protourism firm, the number of French people planning to go on vacation this summer should decrease compared to 2024. Those who maintain their travel projects adjust their budget by reducing certain daily expenses. If the choice of destination remains a major concern, another question arises more and more: with whom to leave? Solo tourism appeals to an increasing number of travelers. Who are they? What are the advantages of leaving alone?
Travel agencies, offices of tourismequipment sellers … The World Tourism Fair is full of ideas for travelers. In his modest stand, Didier Jehannot is one of the solo tourism specialists. He works at the Aventure Association at the end of the world. Its 1,200 members share tips and good addresses:
“” I think there are more and more people who think about leaving differently. Young people before 30 years old, many women also go solo because they are less afraid … And when we go independently and independent, individually if you want, it also makes it possible to make your trip concretize, to prepare it. When you don’t know who to go with, the best is to get started on your own. »»
Maria is 22 years old. Backpack on her shoulders, she comes back from her first solo trip: ” It was too good. I would like to repeat. I went just two days. I went to Milan. I left just to visit the city and there is nobody to tell me what I have to do, because I am all alone. »»
Outside the marked circuits, the trend of the solo travel may seem to be daredevil. Not for this dynamic fifties and her 32 years of solo experience: ” We don’t flirt, we don’t smoke and we don’t drink. And there, already, it’s better. When you are in its mindfulness, you also appreciate everything around us. We are in observation all the time, and at the same time, when there are meetings, we let go completely and it’s great. »»
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Cultural meetings and exchanges
Meetings, for example in youth hostel or during a night with the locals when you are not sleeping under the stars, are all solutions to spare your budget. And it’s easier solo. “” It costs nothing. I went to Ladakh, which is a country at 5 000 meters north of India, and it cost me, with the plane ticket, less than 2 000 € for a month and a half for example, while for some, this same destination will cost them between 4 500-5 000 € for 15 days “, Continues the experienced vacationer.
Philippe Mélul is an expert in the matter. He visited the 197 independent states of the world, often solo. He particularly appreciates the cultural exchanges that these conditions allow: ” As we are alone, we soak up contacts with the population. We are looking for contact, so we go to people. But people come more to you too. When they see a couple, they say they are ”We’re not going to bother them”. While if it is a single person, contact is easier. »»
According to a study by the World Tourism Fair, nearly one in four travelers plans to leave alone this year.
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