The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE HIGH COST OF GOING ALONE
It’s no secret that many cruise lines, tour operators, all-inclusive resorts and even hotels charge considerably lower prices to those who travel in twos. And even if a single traveler is willing to take a chance and bunk with a stranger, most travel companies don’t offer any help in finding a partner.
But the scene is changing as more travel companies try to tap into the growing single-traveler market. Solo travelers made up 24 percent of travelers in 2015, up from 15 percent in 2013, according to the 2015 Visa Global Intentions Study of 13,603 travelers across 25 countries.
This sampling of travel companies offering incentives to those going it alone is not exhaustive. Even for those companies that don’t advertise any deals for singles, it’s never a bad idea to pick up the phone and ask: Prices can often be negotiated, especially for trips outside of high season.
SOLO WOMEN
Serendipity Traveler, with trips including the Best of South Africa to Historic Charleston and Savannah, offers private rooms with no additional fees. Info: 800975-2357, serendipitytraveler.com. The Women’s Travel Group offers several tours and cruises each year featuring “guaranteed shares,” meaning that it promises to match you with a roommate or, if unsuccessful, cover the supplement. Info: 646-309-5607, thewomenstravelgroup.com.
Gutsy Women Travel, with trips around the globe, has no single supplement for solo travelers on its land tours. If single accommodations are sold out, the company offers to match solo travelers with a roommate and will provide an additional $100 savings to those who are willing to share. Info: 866-464-8879, gutsywomentravel.com. SENIORS
Overseas Adventure Travel has free single supplements on all its land tours and either free or low-cost single supplements on its small-ship adventures. Info: 800-955-1925, oattravel.com.
ElderTreks, which specializes in “exotic adventures” for those 50 and older, offers trips worldwide. Info: 800-741-7956, eldertreks. com. Road Scholar, which specializes in learning adventures, has designated trips that offer the same price for solo travelers as for those traveling in pairs. Info: 800454-5768, roadscholar.org.
GENERAL TOUR OPERATORS
Intrepid Travel has four itineraries in 2018 — Beautiful Bali, Best of Morocco, Golden Triangle and Vietnam Express Southbound — earmarked just for solo travelers. They are paired with roommates at no cost on all trips, and those who can’t be paired are not charged a single
supplement. Info: 800-970-7299, intrepidtravel.com.
G Adventures. Single travelers can opt to be matched with a roommate to avoid any single supplement, and no supplement is charged if a share can’t be arranged. The company also offers the “My Own Room” option on most tours, which guarantees participants that amenity for a modest additional fee. Info: 888-800-4100, gadventures.com.
Wendy Wu Tours, a company that specializes in travel to Asia, recently announced that it will waive single-supplement charges on select Classic and Discovery escorted tours that are booked directly with the company for travel through Dec. 31. The company also always offers a “willing to share policy” that promises to “pair you with another member of your tour group of the same gender — and even if we’re unable to match you up, you won’t be charged a single supplement.” Premium tours are excluded. Info: 877-993-6399, wendywutours.com.