Backup Buddy: Solo travel is booming - but new research reveals a worrying safety gap

The solo travel market is booming, projected to grow to £1229.22 billion by 2033^[1], with our research suggesting around 59% of Brits have travelled solo.

But our data has uncovered a worrying travel safety gap. Many backpackers and holidaymakers are willing to take more risks abroad, but aren’t always prepared for what happens when things go wrong. And, many aren’t sharing the key details someone back at home might need if they suddenly need help.

That’s why we’re encouraging people to assign themselves a ‘Backup Buddy‘. Someone at home who knows where you are, where you’re staying and what you’re planning to do.

Do holiday-goers take more risks when travelling abroad?

Getting away from home can mean getting away from the usual rules and routines too.

Our survey of 1,000 Brits revealed that 30% of holiday-goers take more risks when travelling than they would at home. This rises to 34% among solo travellers and 41% among those aged 18–24.

So why are we more adventurous when we travel?

According to Dr Nicola Cann, an educational psychologist, being away from our usual routines and stresses can make us feel free to take risks. New experiences can also trigger the release of dopamine, while a sense of freedom from social norms and FOMO (fear of missing out) can encourage us to push our boundaries^[2].

Of course, taking a few risks can be part of the fun. But it pays to know what to do if your adventure doesn’t quite go to plan. 

Almost half of Brits aren't planning ahead for travel safety 

A little preparation before you travel can make a big difference if something goes wrong, but we found that many basic travel safety checks are being overlooked. 

Less than half (45%) of holiday-goers research local laws, customs and safety risks before travelling. Just 48% know how to contact emergency services in the country they’re visiting, while only half (50%) know what to do if their passport or other important documents are lost or stolen.

For younger travellers, only 39% of 18–24-year-olds know what to do if their passport or important documents are lost or stolen. And although 57% of holiday-goers say they feel safe travelling abroad, feeling safe doesn’t necessarily mean being prepared for an emergency.

Why should you have a Backup Buddy?

When you are travelling alone, having someone back at home who knows your plans can give you an extra layer of reassurance if something goes wrong.  

However, one in five aren’t sharing their live location with someone at home when travelling solo and they aren’t sharing copies of important travel documents either - such as their passport or travel insurance details.

One in six also don’t share their itinerary, including activities or excursions and  one in 10 wouldn’t tell a loved one if their plans changed, rising to 17% among 25–34-year-olds.

That’s why having a Backup Buddy is so important. They don’t need to know your every move, they just need enough information to know how to support you if something goes wrong.

Does sharing your travel plans reduce your independence?

For some travellers, being able to switch off is one of the biggest attractions of going away with our research revealing that 43% would pay more for destinations or accommodation offering limited or no connectivity^[3].

Twelve per cent told us they don’t share their location or travel plans because they prefer the freedom of being unreachable. Another 20% simply assume someone would be able to find or contact them if something went wrong.

How to stay safe when solo-travelling

You don’t need to plan for every possible thing that could go wrong. But there are a few simple steps worth taking before you set off.

Alicia Hempsted, our Travel Insurance Expert here at MoneySuperMarket, shares what every traveller should know: 

• Choose your Backup Buddy: “Pick someone you trust and agree how you’ll keep in touch while you’re away. Make sure they know when you’re travelling and what they should do if they can’t reach you as expected.”

• Research your destination: “Check the latest UK Government foreign travel advice before you leave, including information on local laws, customs and potential safety risks. Share anything important with your Backup Buddy so they know what to expect from your trip.”

• Know how to get help: “Find out the emergency services number for your destination before you travel and save it somewhere you can access offline. Your Backup Buddy should also have the key contact details they might need if they ever have to help you from home.” 

• Share the essentials: “Give your Backup Buddy your itinerary, accommodation details and planned activities. It’s also worth sharing copies of your passport, travel insurance documents and other important information, so they can access them if you lose your phone or documents.”

• Plan for being offline: “Don’t rely entirely on your phone. Save important information offline and consider keeping key details somewhere other than your phone. That way, you’ll still have access to essential information if your battery dies, you lose signal or your phone is lost or stolen.”

• Make sure you’re covered: “Travel insurance can provide valuable protection if you face an emergency abroad. Depending on your policy, this could include cover for medical treatment, lost or stolen belongings, cancellations and other unexpected costs.”

Destinations where internet speeds are slower

Your Backup Buddy can be particularly useful when you’re travelling somewhere with unreliable connectivity.

Even in countries with strong mobile networks, you can encounter dead zones, network outages and roaming issues. Head somewhere more remote and you may find yourself without a reliable signal altogether.

Our data highlights some of the countries where median internet speeds are slower, including Bolivia at 16.5 Mbps, Afghanistan at 18.96 Mbps and Libya at 20.06 Mbps^[4].

If you’re heading somewhere with patchy connectivity, a Backup Buddy could be even more important. Because if you can’t get a signal, they’ll still know where you’re supposed to be.

Countries with slower median internet speeds

Stay safe, stay covered

Your trip is yours. Your plans are yours. But having a Backup Buddy means you don’t have to go it completely alone.

Before you jet off, choose someone you trust, share your plans and make sure they have the information they’d need if something went wrong.

And don’t forget to get appropriate travel insurance too. It can give you extra protection against the unexpected, so you can get on with enjoying the adventure.