Following the recent earthquakes on Santorini, global travel insurance experts, World Nomads, share their safety tips on what to do if you find yourself in an earthquake-impacted area
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- Searches for the term ‘solo holiday’ have been at an all-time high, with an average of 12.1k searches per month
- Data reveals the best destinations for solo travellers in 2025, with Thailand, United States and Australia topping the list
- Jonathan Frankham, travel expert at World Nomads, shares his top tips on how to stay safe whilst travelling alone
London (February 26, 2025) - Searches for the term ‘solo holiday’ have been at an all-time high over the past year, with the term seeing an average of 12.1k1 searches each month.
New data from global travel insurance experts, World Nomads, indicates that the solo travel market will continue to grow in 2025, with solo travel policies accounting for 85%2 of all UK policy sales since 2022, making solo travel the fastest growing segment. ABTA also reported a year-on-year rise in solo travellers in 2024.
Staying safe on your trip
Jonathan Frankham, General Manager at World Nomads UK & EU, shares his advice on how to plan and prepare for a solo travel trip in 2025.
Travelling alone can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding, but ensuring you stay safe throughout your trip must be a top priority. There are a number of steps you can take to look after yourself before and during your holiday:
- Make sure you have properly researched your destination and the local area, including any local customs or laws and cultural traditions. Also take into consideration traveller reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor, Instagram or TikTok for a real-life viewpoint. You could also check the government website for the most up-to-date safety information about the destination.
- Buy travel insurance from the day you book your trip. Travel insurance can be a safety net in case anything goes wrong, before or during your trip. For example, it can provide support should your trip be delayed or cancelled, reimburse you for stolen items (up to the benefit limits), or allow you to get sufficient care should you get sick or injured during your holiday, through services such as Air Doctor, which is available to World Nomads policyholders3 in the UK and specific EU countries.
- Whilst going ‘off-grid’ and staying away from social media can be really beneficial from a wellbeing perspective, it’s important to stay connected with at least a few friends or family members at home. If needed, consider purchasing a global eSIM so you can regularly check in and share your travel agenda.
- Always look at the reviews and ratings of hotels and accommodation providers. Wherever you stay, your accommodation should have a secure lock, and ideally a safe for valuable possessions and 24/7 front desk security (where applicable).
- Rather than carrying cash around, a credit card is a much safer alternative and offers fraud protection. You can also get a replacement card in case your card is lost or stolen.
- Socialise, but don’t overshare. Travel provides a great opportunity to connect with others, but try to refrain from sharing personal details or information about your itinerary and never hand over your passport, particularly if pressured.
- No matter where you go, take extra care to stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid displaying any expensive items and make sure you carry items in a zipped bag. Always use official taxi services or public transport when travelling around your destination.
The best destinations for solo travellers
Some destinations are increasing in popularity amongst solo travellers, making them a great choice for others looking to take their first independent adventure and meet like-minded people.
World Nomads has revealed the top 104 best destinations for solo travellers, based on the below being the most popular with other solo travellers since 2022:
- Thailand
- United States
- Australia
- France
- Spain
- Italy
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Cambodia
- Germany
Activities for solo travellers
One of the best things about travelling alone is that it allows you to try new experiences and learn new skills. Jonathan shares his thoughts on some of the best activities for solo travellers, including:
- Try a cooking class: Learning how to make local dishes is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and meet new people in a relaxed and friendly environment. This hands-on activity will encourage you to try new ingredients and learn new culinary techniques.
- Join a hiking or walking tour: Guided tours are a fantastic way to learn about the history of a destination. As you’ll often have a local tour guide, it provides an opportunity to ask plenty of questions and learn about local customs and traditions. Walking tours are also a great place to meet fellow travellers.
- Book a yoga or meditation experience: Trying a yoga or meditation experience at the beginning of your trip will really help you to relax and appreciate your surroundings. For those who live busy lives, this kind of relaxation experience can help to quieten your mind and enjoy a moment of reflection in a new environment.
- Visit a local market: Local markets provide a great opportunity to support the economy of your destination whilst learning about the culture. Spend some time tasting authentic local food, appreciating handcrafted goods and taking in the atmosphere.
- Contribute through volunteering programmes: There is no better way to give back to the local community than through signing up to a volunteer programme. There are usually plenty of opportunities to get involved in local workshops or programmes where you’ll learn new skills, meet new people, connect to your destination and experience the culture with a new perspective and sense of fulfillment.
Make sure you have the right travel insurance
When buying travel insurance, it is extremely important to check the policy wording and purchase the correct and most appropriate coverage for your destination and the activities you are planning to do.
Jonathan advises: "Travelling solo is a liberating experience. It offers the chance to do what and go where you want, on your own terms. It also makes you more likely to branch out, forge deeper connections with others and even discover more about oneself.
“To ensure that solo travellers can make the most out of their experience, we’d always advise to strike a balance between wanderlust and being prepared. Each destination brings a wealth of opportunity, but staying safe is key.
“Our main advice would be to exercise common sense and vigilance throughout your trip. It’s important to plan routes, book accommodations and excursions in advance, and familiarise yourself with local etiquette. Taking out a comprehensive insurance policy can also act as an important safety net when travelling alone.
“By staying prepared, respectful, and vigilant, you can make the most of your solo adventure while prioritising your safety."
For more information on travel insurance policies and what’s covered, please visit: www.worldnomads.com/uk/travel-insurance
ABOUT WORLD NOMADS
Since 2002, World Nomads has been protecting, connecting and inspiring adventurous and independent travelers by offering specialized travel insurance and safety advice.
Our travel insurance products cover travelers from more than 100 countries. World Nomads focuses on what we believe is important to travelers: emergency medical and evacuation costs, baggage cover, trip cancellation, trip delay and trip interruption costs. We offer cover for more than 250 adventure sports and activities, plus tech and gear. We believe travelers have the responsibility to give back, and through our Footprints program, customers can add a small donation to the price of their plan to help fund a community development project with one of World Nomads’ global nonprofit and charity partners.
We are part of a suite of global specialist travel insurers owned by nib Group, Australia’s third-largest provider of travel insurance and a leading global distributor of travel insurance through nib Travel. nib Group also provides health and medical insurance to more than 1.6 million Australian and New Zealand residents and more than 200,000 international students and workers in Australia.
Media Contacts:
World Nomads
Graham Lynch, World Nomads, UK & Europe
+353 876 831 784