Many solos need ‘me’ time even in a friendly camp
A new study has confirmed what most grey nomads already knew …there are more female solo travellers out there than ever before.
And booking.com’s ‘Solo Travel Report’ concludes that the trend will continue to grow. It says 70% of women taking solo trips felt more energised and refreshed than when travelling with others.
The sheer numbers of solo grey nomads in our caravan parks and campsites is proof enough that there is no longer a ‘too daunting’ tag attached to women travelling alone. “Baby boomer women are an adventurous generation – and gender roles changed dramatically over their lifetime,” Professor Jo Lindsay, the President of The Australian Sociological Association told the GNT. “I find it quite inspiring that older women are taking these opportunities to travel and meet people.”
Women who may have been widowed or divorced are among those hitting the open road.
“What we find is that often people will pack up and leave after a tremendous upheaval in their life,” said university sociology lecturer, Dr Nick Osbaldiston. “It’s like a quest to find something else, to pursue a new challenge, and to follow that romantic dream.”
The rise of digital technology has also given solos more confidence.
“Travellers have phones, and computers and they can stay connected,” said Dr Osbaldiston. “And we are also finding that social media can give trends like solo travel a momentum of their own … people start telling others that it can be done and that it was fun and, before you know it, everybody is doing it.” Lynda H has been travelling alone for many years.
“It’s never occurred to me that I can’t do something on my own,” she said. “When I decided it was time to roam Australia I didn’t think twice – I bought a van that I thought I’d be comfortable in and could afford and off I went.”
Seventy-year-old Jennie M is another who had no reservations setting off on the Big Lap alone, except for her little dog Sam. “Fear never entered my mind because I can lock myself in and/or take off all from inside if it doesn’t feel right,” she said. “And I don’t camp alone … I always ask if anyone else is staying overnight as there is safety in numbers.”
Jennie says that if solos are friendly and outgoing, most travellers will respond in the same way. “The only thing I miss is someone to share some of the journeys and sights with,” she said. “But they’d have to be in their own rig as I have no intention of sharing mine … I enjoy ‘me time’ too much to share!”
