Over the past few months at Pendara Academy I’ve been noticing something fascinating – almost a quiet revolution. More and more people are booking experiences just for themselves and setting off on trips alone as solo travelers. Not because they have no one to go with, but because they want to travel on their own terms, at their own pace, and in their own mood.
And the most beautiful part is what happens next. From these individual bookings, small and warm communities have started to emerge – almost like little clubs of solo travelers finding each other through shared interests. Some connected because they were single and shared the same culinary passions. Others formed a micro-community almost naturally: they set off as solo travelers to the same gastronomic destination and along the way discovered that their tastes matched more than they had expected. A third group gathered around the desire to be part of a professional gastronomic community.
What I observe inside Pendara Academy is actually a reflection of a much wider trend. While solo travelers here are forming their own small communities, the data across Europe shows the same phenomenon on a much larger scale. And suddenly the idea of traveling alone no longer sounds eccentric or unusual. Some trips you take with friends… and others reveal that sometimes the best company you can have is yourself.
If you look at the market data in Europe, you’ll see that this is one of the fastest-growing trends in tourism. According to official data from CBI Netherlands, 37% of Britons now prefer to travel alone. Globally, the numbers are even more striking: the solo travel market was valued at nearly $500 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
“Solo” does not mean “single”
It’s important to clarify that “solo” and “single” are not necessarily the same thing. The Guardian reported in October 2025 that most solo travelers actually have partners, families, and quite active social lives. They simply need a breath of air – a space where they can hear their own thoughts, which are otherwise drowned out by the daily noise of home, work, and responsibilities.
Women over 45 are currently leading the trend. Nearly 70% of solo bookings for 2025 come from this group. Tour operators like Explore Worldwide report growth of over 20% in just the past two years. If you ask me – yes, ladies, our time for traveling has arrived. And the feeling is like pouring yourself a glass of freedom after a long day.
Men are going solo too
But don’t rush to label this as purely a female phenomenon. Men are also stepping onto the solo travel dance floor with growing confidence. According to Green Travel Blog, solo trips by men are increasing more gradually but steadily. Their style, however, tends to be different.
There’s less of the dramatic “I’m heading into the wilderness!” energy and more focus on personal reset and independent exploration. Men often approach solo travel pragmatically: it’s a way to change rhythm, simplify the pace, and concentrate on clear, structured activities.
European institutions are also recognizing this wave as a serious economic factor. The Netherlands considers solo travel one of the most dynamic tourism segments today – so large that the word “niche” no longer fits. The European Travel Commission adds in its analysis of intra-European travel that individual tourists – those who plan independently and seek high value and flexibility – are among the most active travelers since the pandemic.
With a taste of Calmcations
While we talk about solo travel as a form of personal freedom, it’s impossible not to mention its newest evolution: calmcations.
These are journeys where you’re not rushing to tick off landmarks but allowing yourself the luxury of breathing more deeply. Gentle mountain hikes, quiet coastal routes, weekends where mindfulness and culture blend together like the perfect recipe for inner renewal.
These are the solo escapes you return from not exhausted, but reset – because you remind yourself that caring for your own wellbeing comes most naturally when you spend time alone with yourself.
But why do people travel alone?
The reasons are surprisingly simple. Many people say they’ve waited too long for someone to have the same vacation days, the same budget, or the same mood. One person wants the sea, another a monastery. One dreams of silence, another of rhythm and music.
And so solo travel appears as the elegant solution:
“I’m going. Anyone who wants to join can follow.”
This shift is also creating new travel formats. Organized group trips designed specifically for solo travelers are becoming extremely popular, with single rooms as the default. Many companies now offer group journeys for solo travelers: you set off alone, meet like-minded people along the way, share the journey without sacrificing your personal space. It’s a blend of freedom and social connection.
What does this boom mean for Bulgaria?
Quite simply: one of our greatest opportunities.
Bulgaria has all the natural and cultural conditions to become a dream destination for solo travelers – tranquility, authentic places, welcoming hosts, and food that tells stories.
There is, however, one small challenge that may soon slow us down. A significant part of the accommodation base in small hotels and guesthouses – the very places solo travelers love – is designed primarily for couples and families.
The new wave of independent travelers will require more flexible solutions:
rooms that do not automatically assume a “couple,” clearer policies for single occupancy, communal dining formats, programs for meeting locals, or small groups of fellow solo guests.
This shouldn’t be a burden for local entrepreneurs. On the contrary – it’s an opportunity. A chance for the tourism industry to adapt and build models that serve the new traveler.
The world is changing. And for the first time in a long while, this change is quiet, personal, and deeply meaningful. Travel is no longer a checklist of sights you “must see,” but an experience searching for meaning, space, and inner rhythm.
People set off alone not to escape the world, but to meet themselves more clearly.
And the most beautiful thing is that the most meaningful adventures often begin at the exact moment when you stop waiting for someone to come along.
If this journey – outward and inward – inspires you, there is a place where you can continue it. At Pendara Academy, we train people who want to grow professionally in gastronomic tourism and create their own signature experiences. With our knowledge, you can design solo travel programs, plan routes for the new generation of travelers, and become part of a professional gastronomic community where taste and culture are a mission.
Written by Gergana Kabaivanova