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Rising Pattern of Solo Journey Amongst Elders, Particularly Throughout Christmas and New 12 months Boosts Tourism Market in Canada, Czech Republic, Mexico
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Because the pattern of older adults touring solo continues to extend, notably throughout the vacation season, Highway Scholar—a not-for-profit world chief in instructional journey for older adults—has seen a surge in demand for its packages. With a rising variety of Child Boomers experiencing life adjustments similar to divorce or widowhood, solo journey throughout the winter holidays has emerged as a possibility for connection, cultural discovery, and celebration.
Highway Scholar’s worldwide vacation packages have turn into more and more standard amongst solo vacationers, providing a singular mix of companionship, security, and cultural immersion in locations like Italy, Mexico, Canada, and the Czech Republic. With itineraries designed to create a way of group, these packages present an inclusive atmosphere the place solo vacationers can benefit from the vacation season with out feeling remoted.
In an unique interview with Journey And Tour World, Maeve Hartney, Chief Applications Officer at Highway Scholar, sheds gentle on the components driving this pattern, how the group is adapting to fulfill the rising demand, and the distinctive experiences awaiting solo vacationers throughout the holidays.
The Components Driving Solo Journey Amongst Older Adults
The growing variety of older adults selecting to journey solo, particularly throughout the holidays, will be attributed to a number of components. Based on Maeve Hartney, one vital purpose is the rising divorce price amongst Child Boomers, resulting in a better variety of single and widowed people looking for alternative routes to spend the vacations.
As extra older adults discover themselves with out speedy household throughout this time of 12 months, the attraction of group journey has grown. As an alternative of spending the vacations alone, many are opting to affix Highway Scholar’s well-structured packages, which supply not simply journey however a possibility to attach with like-minded people.
“Our return travelers often mention how the holidays are particularly hard if they are alone, and our programs offer them a way to connect with others, explore new cultures, and create lasting memories,” Hartney explains. “Traveling during the holidays gives them something to look forward to.”
Adapting to the Rise in Solo Journey: Eliminating Single Dietary supplements
One of many major challenges that solo vacationers face when reserving journeys is the one complement price—a price utilized to these touring alone to cowl lodging designed for 2. Highway Scholar acknowledges this barrier and has made vital strides to barter with associate resorts to both remove or cut back these charges, making journey extra accessible for solo adventurers.
“We are always working to secure more solo-friendly accommodations and eliminate single supplements wherever possible,” Hartney says. “We also offer a unique roommate matching option, which allows solo travelers to share accommodations and avoid paying the supplement altogether.”
These efforts are a part of a broader technique to make sure that solo vacationers really feel welcomed and may take part in Highway Scholar’s packages with out monetary constraints. This method has contributed to the growing variety of solo vacationers throughout the group’s vacation packages.
Locations Widespread Amongst Solo Vacationers: Distinctive Experiences Await
Solo vacationers collaborating in Highway Scholar’s vacation packages search a wide range of experiences, from cultural immersion to historic exploration. Listed here are a number of the hottest worldwide locations for solo vacationers throughout the holidays:
1. Czech Republic: Christmas Markets and New 12 months’s Festivities
Within the Czech Republic, Highway Scholar members are handled to the colourful vacation environment of Christmas markets in Previous City and Wenceslas Squares. These iconic markets function dwell musical performances, seasonal treats like mulled wine, chestnuts, and potato pancakes, and a possibility to expertise conventional Czech tradition.
For New 12 months’s Eve, vacationers take pleasure in a festive celebration in a conventional Bohemian restaurant, full with Czech folklore, music, dancing, and a feast to welcome the brand new 12 months.
2. Mexico: Oaxaca’s Vacation Ceremonies and Festivities
In Mexico, the vacation season comes alive with wealthy cultural traditions, particularly in Oaxaca, Puebla, and Mexico Metropolis. Contributors witness Oaxaca’s cycle of vacation ceremonies, which culminate in a lavish Christmas pageant and a festive New 12 months’s Eve dinner. The colourful environment, coupled with the area’s historic richness, gives solo vacationers an unforgettable vacation expertise.
3. Italy: From Rome to Sorrento, A Festive Cultural Journey
Italy has lengthy been a favourite vacation spot for solo vacationers. Highway Scholar gives 5 distinct vacation packages throughout the nation. In Rome, vacationers can attend a Christmas live performance by an area choir, take part in midnight mass, and discover the festive stalls of Piazza Navona. In Sorrento, solo vacationers can be part of a conventional Umbrian Christmas Eve household dinner and expertise the heat of Italian vacation celebrations.
4. Canada: Victorian Christmas in Quebec and Banff
Canada’s charming vacation traditions appeal to solo vacationers searching for a mix of historic and fashionable festivities. In Quebec, Highway Scholar members discover the native Christmas markets, take pleasure in Québécois specialties, and have a good time with a grand night of dinner, dancing, and dwell music on the Chateau Frontenac.
In the meantime, in Banff, vacationers benefit from the magical winter panorama as they sip afternoon tea on the luxurious Banff Springs Resort and embark on a horse-drawn sleigh journey by means of the Bow River Valley. The spotlight is a spectacular Christmas feast in a non-public room on the Rimrock Resort, making for an unforgettable vacation celebration.
Guaranteeing Security, Connection, and Engagement for Solo Vacationers
Security and connection are prime priorities for Highway Scholar, particularly for solo vacationers. To make sure members really feel safe and engaged, Highway Scholar vacation packages all the time embrace group vacation meals, permitting vacationers to assemble collectively throughout this celebratory time of 12 months.
“Our holiday programs are designed to be inclusive of solo travelers,” Hartney notes. “From early in the week, we organize group meals to foster connections. By the time on-your-own meals are introduced later in the program, solo travelers have usually formed friendships and have people to join if they wish.”
This considerate method ensures that solo vacationers by no means really feel remoted, even throughout what could be a delicate time of the 12 months for some.
Fostering a Sense of Group: The Highway Scholar Tradition
Highway Scholar has cultivated a welcoming tradition the place solo vacationers can simply kind bonds with different members. With at the least 25-30% of Highway Scholar’s vacationers being solo, members are nearly all the time assured to fulfill others touring alone.
“We hear from solo travelers time and again about how welcome they feel—not just by fellow solo travelers, but by couples as well,” says Hartney. “It’s part of the Road Scholar culture. Our focus on international education attracts friendly, open-minded individuals who form quick connections.”
Contributors like Beth Benoit and Emily Teague have shared suggestions about their experiences, typically highlighting the friendships they’ve fashioned on Highway Scholar packages. For a lot of solo vacationers, these journeys are a gateway to lifelong friendships and future travels collectively.
Journey’s Position in Bringing Pleasure and Companionship Throughout the Holidays
For older adults, particularly those that are widowed or with out household, vacation journey could be a transformative expertise. By connecting with native cultures and fellow vacationers, solo adventurers typically discover pleasure and companionship that they may not have skilled at house.
“Travel has a way of making us feel connected with the world,” Hartney displays. “Our participants find joy in learning, discovery, and camaraderie with like-minded individuals, proving that they may be solo, but they’re not alone.”
Widespread Locations for Solo Vacationers in Current Years
A number of Highway Scholar vacation packages have seen a very excessive improve in solo vacationers lately. Among the many hottest packages from 2022-2024 are:
Victorian Christmas on the Grand Empress (53% solo vacationers)
Christmas and New 12 months’s in Oaxaca and Puebla (49% solo vacationers)
Christmas in Rome (45% solo vacationers)
Christmas in Sorrento (45% solo vacationers)
These packages mirror the rising attraction of vacation journey for solo adventurers and Highway Scholar’s capacity to cater to their distinctive wants.
Tags: christmas, Christmas journey, cultural immersion journey, instructional journey, vacation journey, worldwide vacation packages, new 12 months, Highway Scholar, senior solo vacationers, single dietary supplements, solo journey for older adults, solo journey security, journey for Boomers
