Group Tour Magazine - November 2023 - 7

open to meeting other people, " Berna says.
" We try to stay away from the term 'single
traveler,' too, because traveling solo doesn't
necessarily mean they're single. They might
have partners back home who couldn't travel
due to work schedules or even just differing
interests. Our tours make for a really safe environment
for people to go as a sole traveler. "
Berna says destinations like Southeast
Asia, Turkey, India, and Nepal tend to attract
more solo travelers, as do more active and
strenuous trips. " I also think people picked
up and perused more personal interests
in the pandemic, " he adds, " so what we're
seeing now with our trips, particularly with
solo travelers, is they're not just looking for
a region. They're searching our website for
activities first before the destination, and
that's a big switch for consumers. "
For Intrepid Travel, its North American solo
travelers are 75% women, and generally skew
toward more mature customers, with 64%
over the age of 40. But while demographics
play a role, Berna says Intrepid finds more
value in looking at traveler personas. " Our
travelers are considered curious, they're
culturally aware, they consider themselves
global citizens, and they are there to listen
and learn, " he explains. " I think the solo
travel profile very much fits into that, too. "
Traveling solo with a group allows for
alone time plus socialization with the group,
which could mean the best of both worlds
for tour customers. " I think you're more free
to be yourself when you travel solo-and not
just to be who you are as a person, but you
also have less concerns about your traveling
companion, " Berna says. " There's a real freedom
in traveling by yourself in that sense.
But with the group organization, of course,
you have the security, the safety, and the
camaraderie of the group as well. "
On Intrepid tours, flexibility is a key component
of itineraries, with free time built in
to allow travelers to explore as they wish-
whether that's alone or with newfound tour
companions. " I think the biggest misconception
is that you'll be by yourself the whole time,
which is absolutely not the case, " Berna says.
When creating itineraries, he adds that
Intrepid always has the solo traveler top-ofmind.
For example, rooming requirements
are an important consideration-making
sure there are enough beds for solo travelers.
Petra, Jordan
Intrepid doesn't have a forced single supplement
(an added cost for one individual
to stay in a hotel room meant for two) but
instead matches solo travelers of the same
sex to share a room (if all parties consent).
" In America, most hotels are double doubles,
but a lot of places we stay abroad include
home stays and small ships, and we have
to consider every configuration so we can
provide beds for solo travelers, " Berna says.
" We also pay close attention to all the activities
and how we cater to those travelers. "
Berna says that beyond the cost-savings
to customers and all the logistical perks
of joining a group, solo travel is really all
about the friendships made along the way.
" You might go in alone, but most likely
won't come out as a solo traveler in terms
of having those new friendships, " he says.
" It is a great environment to meet and
interact with other travelers. And just by
being open to those encounters and conversations
with the right attitude, you' ll
have a fantastic time. "
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Group Tour Magazine - November 2023

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