Solomoons: The Quiet Rise of the Solo Traveller

When 34-year-old Chennai-based architect Divya Krishnan booked a solo trip to Hampi for her birthday, her family was confused. “Who will take your photos?” her mother asked. “Why waste money on a room for one person?” Divya went anyway. She spent three days exploring ruins at her own pace, eating when she was hungry, sleeping when she was tired, and answering to nobody. “It was the first time in my adult life I felt completely free,” she says. She has since taken solo trips to Pondicherry, Mysore, and — next month — Bhutan.

The Data

More than 76% of summer travellers in 2026 are travelling alone, compared with nearly 70% last year, according to Policybazaar’s summer trends report. In sharp contrast, family travel has fallen to 4.67% from 7.75% in 2025. This indicates a “growing preference for flexible and independent travel plans, especially among younger travellers.” Solo travel “typically allows greater control over budgets and itinerary changes during periods of uncertainty.” The EY-FICCI report further highlights “women-centric tourism, driven by the rise of solo women travellers seeking safe and inclusive travel experiences” as a key emerging segment with massive upside.

The Story Behind the Number

The solo traveller is not lonely they are liberated. The term “solomoons” captures this perfectly: solo travel as a celebration of self, often tied to personal milestones like birthdays, promotions, or even divorces. For Indian women especially, solo travel represents a quiet rebellion against decades of “travel only with family” conditioning. The data does not lie: nearly eight out of ten summer travellers are flying alone. The industry that ignores this does so at its own peril.

B2B Takeaway

Solo travellers spend 25-40% more per person on guided experiences and single supplements. DMCs must create safe, social, structured solo packages — group tours for singles, female-only departures, and milestone celebration add-ons. Train guides in solo traveller psychology. Partner with safety-tech providers. This segment is growing at 22% annually. Act now.