Solo Travel Surges for Australians *Top Wishlist Destinations Revealed*

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), today announced the findings of a commissioned survey on solo travelling. Commissioned by Scoot, YouGov conducted a survey with over 5,000 respondents across five countries within Asia-Pacific (APAC), including 1,017 respondents from Australia, to unpack the growing solo travel trend across the region.

By examining traveller demographics, travel motivations and considerations, planning behaviours, as well as cultural attitudes, Scoot’s first-ever white paper offers a window into the mindset of today’s self-directed explorer.

Solo Travel Emerges as Mainstream Travel Choice

Once seen as a niche pursuit, solo travel in Australia has increasingly become a common lifestyle choice. Eight in 10 (81%) of solo travellers in Australia embarked on solo trips in the past year, with more than half (54%) undertaking two or more. The interest in solo travel is expected to keep up, with close to nine in 10 (87%) Australians planning to take a solo trip in the next 12 months.

A large proportion of respondents from Australia (83%) are likely to recommend solo vacations to others. This growing trend is closely tied to broader lifestyle shifts, from increased demands at work and home to a rising emphasis on personal wellbeing. 56% of solo travellers from Australia cite freedom and flexibility to plan their own itineraries as their primary motivation, while 45% view solo travel as an opportunity to take a break and focus on themselves. Notably, another 44% value the opportunity to pursue activities and hobbies they enjoy.

In Australia, solo getaways have become a modern ritual for self-care and self-discovery, Scoot enables these journeys by connecting Australia to popular Southeast Asian destinations such as Indonesia and Thailand - renowned for their wellness and personal growth experiences. Research also shows solo travellers continue to favour Asia for its affordability and rich experiences.

Scoot’s findings dovetail the rise in mindfulness, health and wellness, highlighting how travel, especially solo travel has evolved from simply being a leisure activity to one that travellers growingly seek for reflection and self-discovery.

“For many Australians, it’s no longer just about ticking off bucket list destinations, it’s about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself, and embracing the destination. This white paper highlights the mindset shift towards solo travel. Australians are embracing solo trips not out of necessity, but out of choice. Whilst we still have amazing journeys with friends and family, solo travel sparks a sense of lone adventure where you can go your own way and choose a unique journey bespoke to you." Adam Kelly, General Manager, Scoot Australia.

Whether they are setting off for wellness, wanderlust, or a bit of both, Scoot’s extensive network to over 70 destinations, products and affordable fares allow travellers to explore the world confidently.” he added.

Research and Planning Are Key Priorities for Solo Travellers

While independence may be one of the core appeals, solo travellers in Australia today are far from impulsive. In fact, they are highly intentional in their approach with planning for their trips. Aside from booking flights, the main priorities for half or more of these travellers include accommodation selection (63%), budget management (53%), and safety considerations (45%). They rely heavily on online travel agencies (32%), hotel and airline websites or apps (54%), and recommendations from family and friends (34%) to help them make informed decisions with flight and accommodation bookings.

Japan, Singapore and Thailand Top Asia-Pacific Travel Wishlist, With Value Driving the Journey

The white paper also revealed a trend for easy-to-reach APAC hotspots, with the likes of Japan, Singapore and Thailand named as some of the top solo locations for Australians to visit within the Asia-Pacific region.

Top 10 Solo Travel Wishlist Destinations in APAC for Australians (excluding Australia/domestic travel):

1. New Zealand
2. Japan
3. Singapore
4. Thailand
5. China
6. Vietnam
7. Malaysia
8. Indonesia
9. Philippines
10. South Korea / India (tie)

These choices indicate a desire for personal connections, vibrant cultures and nature escapes, reflective of the most popular types of solo trips: reconnecting with loved ones, visiting friends and family (55%) beach holidays (39%), culture and history (39%) city breaks (34%), and visting countryside and rural areas (34%). This echoes the cultural shift towards experience-led holidays, where travel is seen as a form of informal education and cultural immersion, especially for those choosing to explore the world solo in pursuit of personal enrichment.

Overall, the white paper reveals a strong preference for destinations in UK, US and New Zealand as the top global destinations that Australian travellers would like to head to on a solo trip in the next 12 months.

Top Five Solo Travel Wishlist Destinations (Global) for Australians:

1. Australia (45%) (domestic travel)
2. UK (15%)
3. US (14%)
4. New Zealand (13%)
5. Canada (10%)

With so many Australians boasting family connections in the likes of UK, New Zealand and US, it is also no surprise that visiting friends and family surged to the top of the list as a driver for solo travellers.

To reach all of these destinations, solo travellers continue to prioritise affordable air travel options, with almost two-thirds (62%) opting for economy class and two in five (40%) considering affordability as a top factor when choosing an airline. This underscores the importance of value for those navigating the world on their own.

For more information or to download the full white paper, visit here.

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