Traveling
Penalised for Traveling Alone:A Solution
Single Supplements for Lone Travellers
As an active "Travel Blogger", I regularly hear from people regarding the way that single travellers are penalised by the imposition of the various single supplements that tour operators and hoteliers add.
Here's a recent comment I have seen:
"From an outsider looking in, I think that travel agents are realising that holidaymakers are becoming bored of traditional holidays, and this has meant that travel agents are moving towards marketing different niches. One travel niche that has never really taken off is for holidays for people who love travelling but, for whatever reason, must travel alone".
Unfortunately, such travelers are hit by quite substantial "single person supplements" at most hotel accommodations, which can often take the final price of the planned holiday to almost twice that charged for a person able to share.
As a working, web-based travel agent I have disappointed so many potential customers over the years because the prices they have seen bore no resemblance to the final price that they, as a single traveller, would pay.
In fact I have read many comments on the main travel blogs and forums where people have complained about this very problem.
However, there are now a number of ?travel companions? websites that have sprung up to help single travelers team up with potential travel companions. These sites allow you to partner up with suitable traveling companions, with the same ideas as yourself. Hopefully, you can then travel together so allowing you both to avoid the heavy "single supplements" that would otherwise be levied.
Now I know this is not the perfect answer as some peoplemay not take to this idea at all but I think it shows how big a problem this really is if such sites are now in existence and flourishing.
I have been a travel agent for over 30 years and I have to say its? always been the same. At least the web allows some kind of solution with these types of websites.
It will be interesting to see if I anyone can come up with any other sort of long term solutions.
Until then, if you are a "single traveler" you should explore the Web for the best of these "companion" sites. This will surely save you a lot of money and you may well end up with some great new friends.
Colin and Barbara Maddocks own and operate several successful "niche" travel websites including http://www.nilecruises4u.co.uk They have been travel agents for over 25 years. Colin is also a musician, video-maker, writer and podcaster. |
Colin Maddocks
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