# Solo Travel Matchmakers EF Ultimate Break's Travel BFF Matchmaker Program Connects Gen Z By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-02-06 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/travel-bff-matchmaker References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/match-maker-match-maker-make-me-a-match-ef-ultimate-break-helps-travelers-find-their-travel-bff-this-valentines-day-february-14-302370274.html) & [efultimatebreak](https://www.efultimatebreak.com/valentine-match)  At the same time solo travel is at an all-time high, there's a loneliness epidemic and guided experiential travel leader [EF Ultimate Break](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ef-ultimate-break) is fighting it with its [Travel BFF](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/memory-collection) MatchMaker program. According to a Sept 2024 Gen Z traveler study from EF Ultimate Break, 46% of young adults often felt bouts of loneliness when traveling the world. On the Travel BFF website, solo travelers can take a quiz for the potential to get matched to new forever friends. Additionally, all solo travelers who submit a profile are eligible for the chance to win a $500 EF Ultimate Break travel voucher. Although many initiatives leading up to Valentine's Day focus on romantic connections, this friend-connecting program celebrates other meaningful types of relationships. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 51% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 35% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Travel](https://www.trendhunter.com/travel) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Solo Travel Friend-matching:** The rising demand for solo travel companionship services reflects a shift towards social connection in travel experiences. - **Experiential Travel Personalization:** Customization of travel experiences through matchmaking offers travelers unique opportunities to form lasting friendships. - **Loneliness Alleviation Initiatives:** Programs targeting loneliness among travelers highlight a growing need for emotional support solutions in the travel industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Travel and Tourism:** The travel industry is increasingly incorporating social matchmaking services to cater to the demands of facilitated peer connections. - **Mental Health and Wellness:** The intersection of travel and mental wellness is emerging as a focus area where companionship services address loneliness issues. - **Technology Platforms:** Tech platforms are exploring innovative solutions to curate social experiences and interpersonal connections for solo travelers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Travel Buddy Finders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tripbff.md) - [International Experiential Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ef-ultimate-break.md) - [Solo Travel Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solo-travel-app1.md) - [Influencer Travel Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/influencerhosted-tour-program.md) - [Solo Traveler Planning Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ffaroh-app.md) - [Solo Travel Bundles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pricelines-solo-explorer.md) - [Immersive Women-Targeted Travel Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/women-only-solo-tours.md) - [Carbon-Mitigating Travel Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/andiamo-campaign.md) - [BookTok Travel Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ef-ultimate-break-1.md)