In brief
- 10%: growth in individual travel bookings at TUI France this year.
- 15% to 20%: proportion of solo travellers on Climats du Monde tours.
- 3%: share of the solo segment in TUI France’s overall sales.
- 2016: year the company Copines de Voyage was founded.
- 90%: proportion of solo clients who ultimately opt for a paid single room.
In brief
- Individual travel bookings show 10% growth at TUI France this year.
- At Climats du Monde, solo travellers account for between 15% and 20% of tour clientele.
- 90% of clients signing up via solo offers end up opting for a paid single room.
The tourism industry is undergoing a profound mutation driven by a clientele whose consumption patterns are shifting radically. Long perceived as a niche or a logistical constraint by traditional tour operators, the solo traveller is now establishing itself as a strategic growth driver. Attracting these travellers, who wish to set off alone without finding themselves isolated, requires a complete overhaul of tourist services. This transformation is not limited to a mere price list; it touches the very DNA of the travel product.
From group sizes to the very design of trips, taking in the complex management of accommodation, operators are moving beyond the simple question of the single supplement to adapt to a rapidly changing solo clientele. It is about responding to a need for autonomy while guaranteeing a reassuring and sociable environment. Tour operators must juggle the desire for individual freedom with group logistics, a delicate balance redefining industry standards, from high-mountain trekking to cultural tours in Asia or Africa.
A dynamic driven by new traveller profiles
The solo travel market is no longer confined to traditional clichés. Booking data analysis reveals a complex sociology. At Copines de Voyage, a company founded in 2016 on an innovative community concept, the model relies entirely on combining independence with group life. The original profile of these female travellers challenges received wisdom: clients are not necessarily single. There is a growing proportion of women in relationships or mothers who choose to travel alone when those around them are unavailable, or simply to enjoy a personal break focused on their own interests.
This trend is also evident among industry giants. At TUI France, momentum is particularly strong for the 2026 financial year. The solo segment now represents 3% of overall sales, excluding single-parent families, who constitute a category in their own right. This performance is backed by a 10% year-on-year increase in individual bookings, pointing to a structural shift in demand. The “Partez Solo” offer from the Nouvelles Frontières brand, iconic in adventure and discovery travel, precisely addresses this demand by waiving the supplement, provided travellers accept shared accommodation with another guest of the same gender.
Signing up alone without seeking isolation
An appetite for solo travel does not, however, mean a search for complete self-reliance. At Allibert Trekking, a historical specialist in hiking, travellers signing up alone on guided tours make up a major share of the numbers. It is not so much a desire for solitude that motivates these trips, but rather a wish to share a technical or cultural experience with peers who share the same passion for exertion and nature. This evolution mechanically reflects the demographic growth of single-person households in France, alongside travellers’ greater confidence in their ability to integrate into an ephemeral collective.
In parallel, technology acts as a major facilitator. Self-guided hiking, once reserved for orientation experts, is appealing to a new segment of solo clients. The latter are aided by the deployment of effective digital tools. Allibert Trekking thus offers electronic roadbooks with offline GPS navigation, removing psychological barriers related to safety and getting lost, allowing solo travellers to set off on marked trails with heightened peace of mind.
Tailored expectations depending on the itinerary
Market segmentation is becoming crucial, as expectations vary considerably depending on the type of itinerary and the geographical area concerned. On Allibert Trekking guided tours, the proportion of solo women is particularly high, confirming a global trend where women are often the pioneers of solo travel. Conversely, self-guided trips, which demand more autonomous logistical management on the ground, attract a younger audience accustomed to using mobile applications and solving problems in real time.
Group size is the second lever for personalisation. At Copines de Voyage, around 70% of participants are solo female travellers, with the remainder consisting of pairs of friends. To ensure the experience is not diluted by an overly large crowd, groups are deliberately capped at ten people. The average observed on the ground stands at eight participants, a figure considered optimal for fostering team cohesion and allowing the local guide or leader to devote time to every member. This “small group” approach turns the tour into a human adventure where bonds form quickly.
