Travelling at a slower pace, stepping away from everyday digital life and taking holidays alone are gaining ground across Europe. This is one of the key findings of the third European Travel Trend Report by Dertour Group, with Germany recording the strongest interest in solo travel among the markets surveyed.
The study is based on a survey of 8,000 people across 13 European markets, alongside booking data and expert assessments. Its findings point to a broader change in travel priorities: more travellers are looking for less pressure, more time at their destination and experiences that reflect their personal interests.
More time, less rushing
Some 53.2% of Europeans say they are interested in Slow Travel, while almost 64% consciously want to slow down while on holiday. In Germany, the figure reaches 68%.
More than 58% prefer a small number of meaningful experiences rather than an itinerary packed with activities. At the same time, over 55% want to gain a better understanding of the people, nature and culture of the places they visit.
For 52% of travellers, a slower pace is associated with greater personal well-being and less stress. Around 23% also see Slow Travel as a way to reduce holiday costs.
The trend is also linked to the concept of JOMO - “Joy of Missing Out”: choosing not to fill every day of a holiday with sightseeing and activities, and instead leaving time for relaxation and spontaneous experiences.
Taking a break from digital life
Almost one in two European travellers (48.9%) see holidays as an opportunity to disconnect completely or significantly from their digital lives.
The trend is even stronger among people aged 25 to 44. In Germany, more than 53% of travellers aged 35 to 44 see their holidays as an opportunity to step away from social media and other digital activities.
Growing interest in solo travel
Family holidays remain the most popular form of travel, but solo travel is attracting a growing audience.
Almost 30% of Europeans say they are likely to travel alone within the next 12 months. Among singles, the figure approaches 38%, while around one in four people in a committed relationship are also considering travelling on their own.
Germany ranks first, with more than 36% of respondents considering a solo trip. It is followed by Sweden at 35%, France at 32.2%, the United Kingdom at 29.8% and Poland at 28.9%.
Solo travellers also have specific requirements. More than 38% would like single rooms without an additional surcharge, while around 28% are interested in meeting people with similar interests. Safety also remains important, with one in four wanting a designated contact person in case of an emergency.
What the new travel trends tell us
Dertour's findings suggest that, for a significant proportion of Europeans, holidays no longer necessarily mean fitting more activities into less time. Instead, there is growing interest in greater freedom, more personal choices and a more meaningful connection with the destination.
Slow Travel, Digital Detox and solo travel are different expressions of the same broader trend: less pressure to “see and do everything” and more time to genuinely experience the place you are visiting.
More information: https://www.dertour-group.com/
