More and more travellers are opting for a solo overnight stay

The proportion of solo bookings is rising across all HotelSpecials markets, with Germany standing out as the clear leader. In the Netherlands, the average spend per night rose by 15%.

A weekend break is increasingly becoming a conscious choice. At HotelSpecials The proportion of single-person bookings is growing in every market. In the Netherlands, the proportion rose from 7.9% to 8.6% within two years; in Belgium, from 6.1% to 7.4%; and in Germany, from 10.9% to 12.1%. Solo travel is thus definitively moving away from being considered taboo: from something reserved for emergencies to a conscious choice for relaxation and ‘me-time’. 

“Travelling alone is no longer a last resort. People no longer wait for their friends” and partners’ diaries to align, but consciously plan their own time out,” says Rick ten Cate, Marketing Manager at HotelSpecials.

Germany leads the way in strong growth in solo bookings

Germany stands out. There, the number of solo bookings is growing not only in relative terms but also in absolute terms: in the first half of 2026, the number of solo bookings was almost 30% higher than a year earlier, and well over 50% higher than in 2024. German travellers are therefore noticeably more likely to set off on their own.

Travel industry sees a shift in consumer behaviour

This trend is not an isolated phenomenon. Booking data from Airbnb shows that the number of solo stays rose sharply last year, by 53% in the Netherlands, and by as much as +76% in Belgium and +70% in Germany. The trade association ANVR also notes that travellers are increasingly opting for peace and relaxation, and are more likely to take several short trips than a single long holiday. Figures from HotelSpecials confirm this trend and show that this shift is now also taking hold in the hotel sector.

No single-person supplement for the new Single Special

With its new ‘Single Traveller Special’, HotelSpecials is targeting the growing number of travellers who go on holiday alone. The packages have been designed for one person, meaning solo travellers no longer have to pay the surcharge that often applies when accommodation is set up for two people. The new formula makes it possible to put together holidays that suit the preferences and budget of individual travellers.