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The number of Brits taking singles holidays is booming, with people spending more and visiting more exotic destinations.
The biggest growth area is women over 50, according to data by leading online guide, 101 Singles Holidays.
The analysis of 62,656 singles holidays taken in last year found that female travellers outnumbered male by almost two to one: 63 per cent of the solo holidays were taken by women, compared to 37 per cent by men.
In 2014, a similar study found the split was 58 per cent female and 42 per cent male.
The fastest growing destination for solo travellers was India, followed by Italy, then Sri Lanka, with tour operators crediting the TV series, “The Real Marigold Hotel”, for boosting bookings to India. Overall, the most popular destination was Italy, followed by Greece, then Spain.
The number of people booking solo holidays rose by 14 per cent, year on year, in 2017, and tour operators are predicting a further rise of 11 per cent in 2018, year on year.
The research found that the average age of a singles holidaymaker was 57, with a hefty 70 per cent aged 50 or over. In 2014, a similar study found it to be 54.
The average booking cost of a singles-only holiday was £1,374 (not including spending money), up 24 per cent since 2014. However, tour operators say this is a result of single travellers being more adventurous in their choice of destination, rather than prices rising.
According to the Office for National Statistics, people not in a relationship made up 34.5% of the population in 2015 compared to 29.6% in 2002. In the UK in 2017, there were 3.9 million people living alone aged 16 to 64 years, of which 58.5% were men. At the same time there were 3.8 million people aged 65 and over living alone, of which 66.5% were female.
