Solo traveller holiday experiences
Many scholars in the tourism area have commented on the
importance of motivations in leisure travel (Uysal & Hagan,
1993). In tourism research, customers travel because of push
or pull factors (Dann, 1977). Push motivations are related to
internal or emotional aspects of the traveller, such as the desire
to escape, rest and relax; prestige; adventure; social interaction;
family togetherness; and excitement (Crompton,
1979). On the other hand, pull motivations are linked to situational
or cognitive attributes of the destination choices,
such as beaches, recreation facilities, cultural attractions, entertainment,
natural scenery, shopping, accommodation and
dining (Uysal & Hagan, 1993).
Exploring a destination on their own seems to appeal to
many travellers (Kirkwood, 2011). According to previous research,
the main motivations for solo travellers are curious
hedonism (desire to experience something new without really
abstaining from comfort and convenience) and social
motives (the need to foster and develop social networks)
(Laesser et al., 2009). For example, Mehmetoglu et al.
(2001) examined why people travel on their own and found
several motivators, such as ease, flexibility, freedom, exploration,
absence of travel companion, prestige, spontaneity
and solitude. Hyde and Lawson (2003) demonstrated that
the independent traveller has an evolving itinerary, is willing
to take risks in selecting vacation elements and possesses a
desire to experience the unplanned.
Nevertheless, most knowledge on solo travellers is generated
from the perspective of gender-related studies (Wilson,
2004; Chiang & Jongaratnam, 2006; Wilson & Little,
2008) or from a tourism-type approach (mainly adventure
or backpacking tourism). This research suggests that
women’s motivation for travelling alone relates to their desire
to challenge themselves, find a sense of autonomy and
self-determination, meet new people and/or extend themselves
out of their comfort zon