‘Give solo travellers better deal’

THE travel industry should do more for solo travellers who are not only hit with higher accommodation and insurance costs, but also receive poorer service, a guide book firm has said.

A Lonely Planet survey of 4,000 travellers found 36 per cent have felt disadvantaged when on holiday alone.

More than half have had to pay a single person supplement for accommodation, with average price hikes about 50 per cent.

Solo travellers also pay 20 per cent extra on travel insurance.

Typical criticisms of restaurants include poor service, seats in the worst places and even being refused bookings.

Speaking ahead of the launch of Lonely Planet's new specialist guide, The Solo Travel Handbook, editorial director Tom Hall said: “We expect solo travel to continue to be a growth area and urge firms to consider how to better serve solo travellers.”