# Exploration Independence Brands in the travel space debut offerings to support solo travelers. By [Courtney Scharf](https://www.trendhunter.com/Courtney), Chief Client Officer | Published Sep 25, 2018 | Category: [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/global-trends-and-hip-travel) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/exploration-independence ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Exploration Independence trend? **Exploration Independence:** As travel becomes more accessible thanks to decreased prices and technology to make things easier to navigate, more travelers are going taking trips on their own. To help support this shift, companies from across the travel space, including those in hospitality as well as those in tech, are creating products to help solo travelers have a more positive, social experience. ## The consumer insight behind the Exploration Independence trend Young consumers, and young women, in particular, have dramatically reframed what travel means to them and what they want out of those experiences. Thanks to advances in technology and a general increase in accessibility when it comes to travel, many more consumers are comfortable with -- and in some cases even prefer -- traveling on their own. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Nov 28, 2017 to Sep 25, 2018 - Published: Sep 25, 2018 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Exploration Independence trend ### Rise of Solo Travelers Companies across the travel space are creating products to help solo travelers have a more positive, social experience. ### Empowering Women to Travel Solo Young women have reframed what travel means to them, leading to the creation of communities and campaigns catering to the specific needs of female solo travelers. ### Digital Solutions for Connecting Travelers New digital solutions like social networks, pairing platforms, and apps are emerging as a means to connect solo travelers with other travelers and locals. ## What the Exploration Independence trend means for industry ### For Hospitality Hospitality businesses can create services that make solo travel more accessible and comfortable, like dedicated solo concierge services and welcome packs tailored to one's adventure. ### For Travel Technology Travel technology companies can create digital solutions that connect solo travelers with other travelers and locals for a more social experience, like social networks, pairing platforms, and apps. ### For Tourism Tourism industry professionals can create campaigns and platforms that cater to the specific needs of solo travelers, particularly women, such as solo travel deals and female-only communities. ## Workshop question What is your brand doing to connect consumers to one another? ## Trend signals for Exploration Independence Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 42%, activity 38%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 42% - Activity: 38% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Exploration Independence trend 5 featured examples from Nov 28, 2017 to Sep 25, 2018. - [Traveler-Connecting Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flyptrip): 'FlypTrip' Lets You Meet Up with Other Travelers and Citizens (Category: World) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize technology to enhance the travel experience and cater to the evolving needs of modern travelers. - [Solo Female Traveler Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solocal): The 'Solocal' Community Connects Traveling Women Together (Category: Tech) Implication: The travel and hospitality industry can create specialized offerings for solo female travelers, including women-only tours and accommodations with enhanced safety features. - [Adventurous Travel Socialization Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paired-app): The 'Paired' App Connects Travelers with Savvy Locals (Category: Tech) Implication: The travel and tourism industry can use these types of apps to engage travelers and create enhanced travel experiences. - [Traveler-Pairing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tripi): 'Tripi' Connects Solo Travelers Going to the Same Places (Category: World) Implication: Tripi is part of the travel networking industry, connecting solo travelers for shared travel experiences. - [Solo Travel Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/st-giles-hotels): St Giles Hotels' 'GO SOLO, GO ST GILES' Champions Solo Travel (Category: World) Implication: The hospitality industry can benefit from the increasing trend of solo travel by offering personalized services and packages to attract more solo travelers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Layered Getaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/short-trip-leisure) (World) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in World - [Electrically Powered Airline Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-economy-seat) - [Family Rave Vacations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/family-rave) - [Free In-Flight Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-in-flight-internet) - [Flexible Luxury Motorhomes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flexible-luxury-motorhomes) All articles: [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world)