20% of Taiwanese have traveled alone, and 70% want to do it again within a year

The rise of the solo economy has made traveling abroad alone increasingly common. A survey conducted by Expedia.com.tw among approximately 1,500 Taiwanese travelers shows that nearly 20% of Taiwanese have already traveled alone. A further "2018 Solo Travelers Survey" targeting around 300 Taiwanese travelers revealed that the main reasons for choosing solo travel are the desire to enjoy "a different journey and experience (57%)" and "freedom during the trip (56%)".

Nearly 70% of travelers opt for different accommodation arrangements and tend to reduce budgets for flights and lodging in favor of enjoying food, shopping, and relaxing experiences during the trip. If they feel lonely during the journey, they often choose to eat good food or meet new people, showing that people want to enjoy solitude and fresh experiences while traveling.

Currently, nearly 20% of Taiwanese have traveled alone, meaning one in five has had the experience of solo travel, with those aged 40-49 making up the highest proportion (31%), nearly 20% more than the 18-29 age group. The "2018 Solo Travelers Survey" of around 300 solo travelers showed that the main reasons for solo travel are the desire to enjoy "a different journey and experience (57%)" and "freedom during the trip (56%)". Through solo travel, respondents said their biggest gains were "achieving complete relaxation (34%)", "personal growth (24%)", and "developing the ability to solve problems alone (18%)".

Most people who enjoy solo travel believe the main factors driving its rise are "online information being readily available, making solo travel easier (73%)" and "the convenience of easily booking itineraries online anytime (67%)". This shows that technological advancement and internet accessibility have also made solo travel simpler and more convenient.

Compared to traveling with others, nearly 70% of travelers have different accommodation arrangements when traveling alone. Regarding trip planning, solo travelers tend to choose relaxed and spontaneous itineraries, mostly for short trips. 84% of solo travelers prefer arranging laid-back and leisurely schedules, 61% tend to plan their trips spontaneously, and 44% opt for short solo trips, usually no longer than four nights and five days.

In terms of flights and accommodation, nearly 50% of travelers choose "low-cost airlines", and over 80% opt for budget to moderately priced lodging. Additionally, nearly 70% of solo travelers are less concerned about spending on "food", while nearly 40% are willing to increase spending on "relaxation" and "shopping", clearly showing that solo travelers reduce budgets for flights and hotels and instead prioritize extra enjoyment during their personal journeys.