You've probably heard more and more people are taking solo trips in the U.S. and around the world.
YouGov RealTime wanted to take a closer look at this phenomenon, and its newest research found that 57 percent of Americans would be interested in taking a solo trip to another U.S. city. In fact, 66 percent of Americans have either done a solo trip or would consider taking one.
It seems that people are interested in solo traveling because they want the freedom to make their own itinerary and not be swayed by the whims of others, or at least that's what 47 percent surveyed said. Another 37 percent said that traveling alone makes it easier for them to unwind and enjoy their vacation.
Solo travel is also a big confidence booster for Americans. Thirty-two percent said it improves their sense of self-confidence and independence, which is why it has become a more common practice for women.
Forty-one percent of millennial women and 39 percent of Gen X women say that confidence is one of the main reasons they want to travel solo. Of those surveyed, it seems that millennial women (23 percent) are more likely to solo travel than Gen X women (15 percent) or Baby Boomer women (10 percent). They even outpace millennial men, 16 percent of whom are open to the idea of traveling alone.
An interest in solo travel is directly related to destinations. Over half of Americans would take a trip to a U.S. city alone, while only 37 percent would visit a foreign city solo. One in five millennial women has traveled internationally alone, followed by 16 percent of Gen X women and 13 percent of female Baby Boomers. Twenty-one percent of millennial men have traveled alone overseas.
In terms of types of vacations, camping was the solo trip that received the least interest with only 25 percent of Americans saying they would consider it. Forty percent would be open to taking a beach vacation alone.
For those not interested in solo travel, it comes down to safety and a fear of loneliness. Over half of those surveyed say that feeling unsafe and being lonely are the biggest detractors to solo travel, with 23 percent saying that friends or family don't want them to travel alone.
Women are more concerned with solo travel safety (76 percent) and have higher rates of concerned families compared to men (30 percent).
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