Like to travel solo? You have company, but no one's a pair

Annapurna Maddi, 26, spent three years working as a software developer before stepping away from a conventional career path to travel solo in Colombia, instead of taking up a new job.

As she was preparing to return to work last year, she found out about travel fintech company Scapia’s ‘Leap Year’ initiative – a fully funded 12-month journey across four continents for two young Indian travellers.

Maddi qualified for the programme alongside 27-year-old Tanuka Agarwal from Siliguri, who made her first solo trip at a low point in her life “simply to breathe.”


“That journey changed everything,” Agarwal told ET. “Travel gave me the courage to unlearn, to choose experience over approval, and meaning over convention.”

Solo travellers such as Maddi and Agarwal are emerging as one of the fastest-growing and most promising segments for Indian travel companies such as Scapia, which are looking at newer ways to engage the segment further.

Travel platforms said they are seeing regional favourites like Vietnam and Sri Lanka alongside longer-haul destinations like the USA and Europe picking up among solo travellers, which suggests solo travel has evolved beyond just quick getaways.

The segment is driven largely by younger travellers, with nearly 60% in the 20–39 age group, said Jasmeet Singh, chief commercial officer for holidays and experiences at MakeMyTrip.

“What stands out is their premium oriented behaviour: solo travellers spend about 28% more than other cohorts and, despite choosing fewer activities, spend significantly more per experience, signalling a preference for curated and bundled offerings,” he added.

Visa applications by solo travellers at visa startup Atlys roughly tripled last year over 2024. The share of female solo travellers rose 3x last year over 2024.

BLS International, which processes visa applications for Spain, has seen a surge of 25-30% in solo applicants from India to Spain post the Covid-19 pandemic, its joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal said.

Nearly 40% of passengers booking flights and bus tickets on Scapia over the past year travelled solo, according to its founder and CEO Anil Goteti. “Within this, Gen Z’s share among solo travellers grew by over 10% year-on-year, reflecting a strong and accelerating preference for independent travel,” he said.

Ravi Gosain, president of Indian Association of Tour Operators, said within the country, solo travel bookings have grown by 25–30% year on year, particularly to destinations like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, and the Northeast.

“Solo travellers are pushing the boundaries of traditional travel and are keen to explore new destinations,” said Rajeev Kale, president and country head, holidays, MICE, and visa at Thomas Cook (India). “Their travel includes new experiences and locales, learning a new skill or pursuing their unique interests while safety remains an important criteria.”

The industry estimates that the solo segment could touch up to 5% of the total travel market in the due course. “It is a rapidly increasing segment both in India and overseas,” said Aashish Gupta, consultant CEO at the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH).

Data insights reveal that solo travel is increasingly defined by personalized, experience-led itineraries rather than conventional sightseeing, said S.D. Nandakumar, president and country head for holidays and corporate tours at SOTC Travel.

"Traveller segments—spanning young working professionals, CXOs, wellness seekers, adventure-lovers and luxury seekers are prioritising curated experiences," he said. "These include culinary immersions and certifications in Paris, Japan, and destination-specific recreations including Fado music and Flamenco dance classes, experiences in Spain and Portugal or kickboxing and wellness programmes in Thailand, Indonesia and Bali," he added.