Why solo travel at 'peak popularity' in Bangladesh
Solitude, in its true sense, is about enjoying your own company by choice.
Solo travel has hit peak search popularity on Google Trends in Bangladesh for the past two months, while the growing urge to travel alone in pursuit of self-discovery gains a name: "MeMooning", a honeymoon-inspired term for travelling solo.
Meanwhile, the global solo travel market is projected to expand significantly, from $489 billion in 2025 to $1 trillion by 2031, according to the global market research firm Research and Markets.
To explore why interest in solo travel is rising in Bangladesh, The Business Standard (TBS) spoke to four solo travellers.
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A female solo traveler, Shamsunnahar Leepi, a business system analyst at BRAC IT, said her first solo trip was unplanned after her travel companion cancelled. The solo experience boosted her confidence, pushed her out of her comfort zone and encouraged her to take more trips like that.
"I enjoy being more open to new people and places when I travel alone, something I do not get to do as much in a group," she said.
"You are never the same after a big adventurous solo trip. You return with a lot more courage. That is the beauty of it."
To point out the major qualities of a solo traveller, she suggested, "Research and flexibility are the most important qualities for a solo traveller, as one need to prepare well, stay calm when plans change and find solutions."
Solo travel is not new in Bangladesh, but it appears to be moving beyond a niche practice as interest grows among young travellers.
For a generation shaped by social media trends, travelling solo and posting curated pictures with relatable captions can add a touch of "main character energy" to the experience.
Another solo traveller, Shifat Rahman Susmoy, a bancassurance sales support officer at MetLife Bangladesh said, "Solo travel came from a desire to move beyond familiar circles and understand how different communities live. I would call it an anthropological curiosity."
"Safety can be an issue when travelling alone in remote areas, but it has made me more alert and adaptable. It has become a way of discovering not only new places and people, but also myself. For me, the ability to adapt, communicate and keep an open mind is what makes someone a good solo traveller," he added.
For many, solo travel is about self-exploration, with the freedom to decide where to go, what to do and how to spend quality time at their own pace.
UK-based video editor Sumit Majumder took up solo travel to break the monotony of everyday life. "I was tired of the same cycle every day – work, sleep, and repeat – so I wanted something different," he said.
"I have once missed a train and had to figure out on my own how to reach my destination. It taught me to be more self-aware and expect the unexpected. I value the freedom to make my own plans without any distractions and figuring things out as I go," he added.
Meanwhile, Muaz Abdur Rahim, a student at BRAC University, has travelled to 13 countries and all 64 districts of Bangladesh.
He said, "For solo travelling, one needs courage to live by oneself and handle all the upcoming challenges."
"Cost is one of the biggest challenges, as expenses cannot be divided among fellow travellers. Still, I enjoy having complete control over my schedule and choices while stepping away from the responsibilities and chaos of everyday life," he mentioned.
"It makes me feel free, clears my mind and give me the courage to face challenges on my own," he added.
The growing interest raises broader questions about the psychological aspects of solitude, shifting social attitudes towards being alone and how businesses are adapting to solo customers.
The psychology of solitude
Solitude, in its true sense, is about enjoying your own company by choice.
Being alone is a physical state; loneliness is an emotional one. These two can overlap, but they are not the same. Someone can sit alone with a coffee and feel perfectly content, while another person surrounded by friends can still feel disconnected.
Yet solo outings may feel uncomfortable because people often imagine they are being watched. Psychologists call this the 'spotlight effect'– where people overestimate how much others notice them.
A solo traveller checking into a hotel or dining alone may feel judged, while most people are likely too caught up in their own lives to notice.
Once people learn to be comfortable in their own company, being alone can feel less intimidating and offer a more rewarding chance to step outside their comfort zone, slow down and give their minds a much-needed break.
The Guardian, discussing the book "Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone", notes that solitude is neither inherently good nor bad, but its impact depends largely on the individual.
One of its authors, psychologist Thuy-vy T. Nguyen mentions solitude can provide rest and recovery from a biological perspective, while satisfying psychological needs such as freedom and autonomy.
Global businesses built around solo customers
The rise of solo travel is also exposing an old assumption in the consumer market that people usually arrive in pairs or groups. Hotels traditionally price rooms around double occupancy, while restaurants and entertainment venues often design experiences around two or more people.
This has contributed to a broader shift towards the idea of the "solo economy", a market built around people who live, spend and make decisions on their own.
For example, one of the world's luxurious hotel companies, Hilton is adapting its hotels for solo travellers by offering flexible seating and dining options.
The trend extends beyond travel, with The Washington Post highlighting how businesses are adapting to the idea of doing things alone.
In South Korea, the concept of "honjok", or the "alone tribe", has helped normalise products and services designed around solo living.
Meanwhile, Japan's Ichiran ramen chain uses private booths to encourage solo dining and reduce distractions.
In the United States, Disney theme parks and some of their competitors have used single-rider lines that offer solo visitors shorter waits.
According to Forbes, companies can leverage the solo economy by treating it as a distinct consumer segment and focusing on individual buying patterns and frequency rather than benchmarking single consumers against groups.
Is the peak here to stay?
Whether the current interest in solo travel becomes a lasting preference may ultimately depend on what people seek from the experience.
Some may choose solitude, others may prefer the company of others, while many enjoy a mix of both at different times.
Solo travel may be a part of this broader trend, but the appeal of going solo is not limited to trips.
From dining and watching movies to shopping and exploring cafes, people are increasingly embracing their own company in what social media has labelled "solo dates".
But going alone is not always about independence or self-care.
For some, being alone in public can trigger social anxiety, driven by the fear of being judged or pitied. Some travel for work, some have no one available to join them, while others simply prefer solitude.
For now, the rising interest suggests that solo travel has found a place in Bangladesh's changing travel culture. Whether it stays depends on how the market, social attitudes and travellers themselves evolve.
