Nobody dies from love nowadays. Gone are the stories of star-crossed lovers who overcame all kinds of obstacles to be with their loved one. Immediacy, social networks and impatience have turned the stable couple into something almost vintage.
Faced with this situation, more and more people find themselves in this so-called single status sooner or later. Far from being taboo, it offers singles with a feeling of freedom and independence that’s very often envied by others.
The tourism sector is more than aware of these sociological changes and has decided to exploit this very profitable niche area. Regardless of whether single life is something chosen or circumstantial, the goal of companies catering to this type of clientele is the same: ensure they have fun, expand their social circle and maybe, just maybe, meet someone special.
One example of this type of business is viajarsolo.com, which claims to “bring single people together in search of unforgettable experiences”. It was one of the first Spanish websites to focus on this sector back in 2002.
Its founder, Hellen Faus, came up with the idea while chatting with a small group of friends about the realities of daily life. She says that she “has been travelling alone” since she was very young, not because she was antisocial, but because she never happened to agree with anyone about where to go and what to do, which is why when faced with the decision “between staying at home or seeing the world, I always chose the second option”.
When the company started, the term ‘single’ still felt weird in Spain, fast-forward to today and it’s now a trendy lifestyle concept.
solteros de viaje.com offers similar services with trips, short getaways, cruises and adventures for single parents, including activities for children.
Vacaciones en Gredos offers something different with a wide range of activities in the same setting, Sierra de Gredos. They describe their trips as “alternative” and claim to create a friendly atmosphere “where it’s very easy to connect and mingle with others in the same situation”.
The company believes the customer profile must be people linked by a common factor, those who want to feel better about themselves, enjoy more inner balance and are ready and willing to open up to a healthier and more harmonious relationship.
Figures
According to a survey carried out by Wimdu, Spain currently has 8-9 million single people, and has emerged as the second European country “exporting” singles, second only to Germany.
This platform also points out the fact that people travelling alone spend an average of €304 more on accommodation (38% more than those who travel as a couple), and also opt for longer holidays, spending an average of 7.2 nights away from home compared to 5.7 for couples.
The different companies who took part in the survey all agree that cruises have become the most popular trips for singles, helping the urban legend of “the love boat”. Some companies have even incorporated the idea into their name viajayliga.com (travel and flirt), although they also say that many young people simply want to make new friends.
Women seem to be braver and more independent and are the ones who most often decide to travel alone, a trend that is taking hold globally according to studies carried out by the Hilton chain.
