January 24, 2018

Solo travel taking off in the Philippines

agoda, one of the world’s fastest-growing online travel booking platforms, has found travelers in the Philippines are increasingly traveling solo. agoda’s booking data shows there was a 45% increase in one-person bookings since 2016.

IMG_7127-watermarked

The growth of solo travel in the Philippines can be equally attributed to domestic (45%) and international bookings (44%), which grew at a similar rate in 2017.

Angeles, in particular, was identified as a popular domestic destination for solo travel, growing by 55% in 2017 amongst Filipino solo travelers.

Japan was a top international destination for Filipino solo travelers. Solo bookings to Japan accounted for 21% of all international solo bookings, and grew by 46% year-on-year in 2017.

Also read: Follow the hidden history of Christianity in Japan!

agoda’s Global Director for Brand and Communications, Andrew Edwards, explains: “With food and accommodation options for every budget, hospitable locals, and diverse experiences on offer, Japan is the perfect solo travel destination. In recent years, we’ve seen the rising popularity of capsule hotels, catering for solo travelers who want a budget-friendly way to explore the rich tradition and unique eccentricities of Japan.”

Also read: Travel Guide to Nagano, Japan

These markets were identified as the fastest growing international destinations for solo travelers – Taiwan (177%), South Korea (90%) and Indonesia (65%).

On a domestic front, other top growth destinations included the island paradise of Palawan (46%) and the historical Batangas (41%).

IMG_7191-watermarked

Also read:
Where to Stay in Coron, Palawan: A Travel Guide
Welcome to Boracay Island

The increasing number of solo travelers reflects the undeniable shift occurring in the travel industry. Google Trends reports solid growth in interest in solo travel over the past 10 years, with July 2017 seeing the most searches for ‘solo travel’ ever on Google.

“As the far-flung corners of the world are becoming easier to reach, travelers are more willing to experience destinations with the freedom that comes from traveling alone, allowing them to fully immerse themselves amongst a new culture. Solo travelers can completely absorb the culture of their chosen destination and make choices based on their own preferred experiences, creating a whole new sense of freedom,” said Edwards.

Also read: 7 Tried-and-Tested Tips for Traveling Solo

This is a press release from agoda with minor edits made.