The adventure specialist has designed this new type of group tour exclusively for solo travellers, with more than 50% of G Adventures’ travellers globally opting to join its small group adventures as solos.
It will initially offer 25 trips across 13 destinations. These include short-haul options such as Portugal, Greece and Italy, as well as long-haul adventure favourites like Costa Rica, India, China and South Korea.
G Adventures said all Solo-ish trips would embrace the power of community tourism and feature local interactions to maximise the benefit to local people and ensure money stays in destinations.
Brian Young, G Adventures managing director EMEA, told TTG the new touring style had been created to take advantage of the “huge momentum” in the growth of solo travel following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We’ve always had a lot of solo travellers on a variety of different styles of itineraries,” said Young. “This is the first time we’ve segregated it out by creating a new travel style for like-minded solo travellers who are seeking meaningful connections.
“There’s a lot of growth with people wanting to do things in the here and now. It may be that their partners don’t want to go, or they can’t find the right timing to travel with friends.”
Solo-ish Adventures will feature several exclusive elements within each itinerary, including a food-related experience and dinner party on the first day to allow the travellers to meet and get to know each other.
The second day will include a community-based experience in the destination, followed on the third day by an “incredible experience”, which is designed to be a surprise for guests and will not be detailed on the itinerary.
“Those three days have been constructed to create community and build connections within the group,” explained Young.
Other elements within Solo-ish trips include a scheduled “Me Day”, which will allow travellers to do “whatever they want” on one specified day during the trip, although the operator will offer some activity options to the travellers on this day.
Young also revealed all Solo-ish tours, which be limited to 15 participants, will be led by female chief experience officers, owing to G Adventures’ “high propensity” of female solo travellers.
Other features of the Solo-ish range include free transfers from guests’ arrival airport, no single supplements and a discounted price for travellers wanting their own room rather than sharing.
The tours will be promoted to all ages group from 18 upwards, with the first trips due to depart in spring 2025.
To promote the Solo-ish itineraries, G Adventures has created a range of assets for agents to use including social media and window displays.
G Adventures has already put 13 of the Solo-ish tours on sale, with another 12 itineraries due to be added in November. The operator also plans to expand the programme over the next 12 months.
G’s 12-day Solo-ish India itinerary leads in from £1,099pp features visits to a wildlife reserve and national park, a Chambal river cruise, visits to the Amber Fort and Taj Mahal, an optional Me Day balloon ride over Jaipur, the pink city, and opportunities to visit local temples.
