TRAVEL
Book now for the holidays and don’t wait on your friends, says solo travel expert
Book now for the holidays and don’t wait on your friends, says solo travel expert
Post-pandemic travel is at an all-time high and that’s why one travel expert is encouraging more people to book fast so they don’t miss out on their dream vacation.
Lee Thompson, the co-founder of solo adventure-travel company Flash Pack, warns many will lose the opportunity to explore new places because flaky friends and busy schedules too often disrupt plans. With the holiday season approaching, Thompson – who has himself traveled solo to more than 100 countries – reveals that now is not the time to sit back and wait for a companion before booking your next destination.
“We’re seeing travelers booking further in advance than ever this year, and that will only be amplified as we run towards the end of the year and into January – the travel industry’s biggest booking month,” Thompson tells Bon Voyaged.
@flashpacktravel Argentina awaits… 🇦🇷 #argentina #argentinatiktok #travel #southamerica #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound – Flash Pack
Flash Pack curates bucket list-worthy group travel itineraries for solo travelers in their 30s and 40s. The company’s mission is for people of all walks of life to explore new surroundings together, while establishing friendships the co-founders say can last a lifetime. A recent survey showed that 80 percent of past Flash Pack travelers have kept in touch and meet up regularly, Thompson said.
The company offers itineraries packed with excursions in popular destinations across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, and provides travelers with local guides who make the experience even more seamless.
But time is ticking. Thompson cautioned that this year’s Labor Day travel exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Flash Pack’s latest offering for a Moroccan adventure, which only launched last month, is already 50% booked through the end of the year.
@flashpacktravel Where will you choose? #traveltips #wheretogonext #travel #solotravel #fyp ♬ california dreamin – favsoundds
Thailand and Argentina have also emerged as the two most popular destinations for US travelers right now, according to the Flash Pack co-founder. Recently, the company has seen a 57% increase in bookings for Thailand over the past 90 days, while Argentina has seen a 33% uptick in bookings over the same period.
Thompson said it reflected new interest among American travelers in experiencing adventure and authentic experiences. Flash Pack’s Thailand itinerary, for example, includes jet ski safaris and private catamaran trips along Phuket’s coastline, as well as a sleepover on a floating raft house in Khao Sok National Park.
Meanwhile, those who prefer colder climates are opting for the Argentinian adventure, which features cave dining, a day-long trek through the wilds of Patagonia, and ice-hiking on an 18,000-year-old glacier.
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Thompson said solo passengers embarking on group trips are seeing it as a new method of self-care especially during the holiday season which can be filled with family obligations.
“Perhaps surprisingly, solo travel especially is very popular around the holiday months as people seek out a season of self-care to start the new year in style, feeling refreshed and fulfilled,” Lee adds.
