{"id":14540,"date":"2025-09-16T17:28:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T15:28:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/?p=14540"},"modified":"2025-10-02T11:34:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T09:34:34","slug":"september-belongs-to-couples-and-solo-travellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/september-belongs-to-couples-and-solo-travellers\/","title":{"rendered":"September Belongs to Couples and Solo Travellers"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=\"in_container\" full_screen_row_position=\"middle\" column_margin=\"default\" column_direction=\"default\" column_direction_tablet=\"default\" column_direction_phone=\"default\" scene_position=\"center\" text_color=\"dark\" text_align=\"left\" row_border_radius=\"none\" row_border_radius_applies=\"bg\" overflow=\"visible\" overlay_strength=\"0.3\" gradient_direction=\"left_to_right\" shape_divider_position=\"bottom\" bg_image_animation=\"none\"][vc_column column_padding=\"no-extra-padding\" column_padding_tablet=\"inherit\" column_padding_phone=\"inherit\" column_padding_position=\"all\" column_element_direction_desktop=\"default\" column_element_spacing=\"default\" desktop_text_alignment=\"default\" tablet_text_alignment=\"default\" phone_text_alignment=\"default\" background_color_opacity=\"1\" background_hover_color_opacity=\"1\" column_backdrop_filter=\"none\" column_shadow=\"none\" column_border_radius=\"none\" column_link_target=\"_self\" column_position=\"default\" gradient_direction=\"left_to_right\" overlay_strength=\"0.3\" width=\"1\/1\" tablet_width_inherit=\"default\" animation_type=\"default\" bg_image_animation=\"none\" border_type=\"simple\" column_border_width=\"none\" column_border_style=\"solid\"][vc_column_text css=\"\" text_direction=\"default\"]As the summer draws to a close, travel patterns shift \u2014 and with them, the opportunities for destinations to attract visitor segments. ForwardKeys data reveals an interesting seasonal trend: while August is dominated by family travel, September increasingly belongs to couples and solo travellers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In August, families take advantage of the school holidays, making up 26% of all international flight bookings for groups of three to five passengers. By September, that share drops sharply to just 15%. In their place, itineraries booked by couples and solo travellers surge, representing 73% of all bookings compared with 64% in August.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For destinations, this shift is more than a curiosity \u2014 it\u2019s a commercial opportunity. Couples and solo travellers often seek very different experiences to families: quieter escapes, immersive cultural activities, wellness, gastronomy, or city breaks. <\/span>With school holidays over, September offers the perfect conditions to attract these segments \u2014 more competitive prices, greater availability, and a calmer travel experience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=\"in_container\" full_screen_row_position=\"middle\" column_margin=\"default\" column_direction=\"default\" column_direction_tablet=\"default\" column_direction_phone=\"default\" scene_position=\"center\" text_color=\"dark\" text_align=\"left\" row_border_radius=\"none\" row_border_radius_applies=\"bg\" overflow=\"visible\" overlay_strength=\"0.3\" gradient_direction=\"left_to_right\" shape_divider_position=\"bottom\" bg_image_animation=\"none\"][vc_column column_padding=\"no-extra-padding\" column_padding_tablet=\"inherit\" column_padding_phone=\"inherit\" column_padding_position=\"all\" column_element_direction_desktop=\"default\" column_element_spacing=\"default\" desktop_text_alignment=\"default\" tablet_text_alignment=\"default\" phone_text_alignment=\"default\" background_color_opacity=\"1\" background_hover_color_opacity=\"1\" column_backdrop_filter=\"none\" column_shadow=\"none\" column_border_radius=\"none\" column_link_target=\"_self\" column_position=\"default\" gradient_direction=\"left_to_right\" overlay_strength=\"0.3\" width=\"1\/1\" tablet_width_inherit=\"default\" animation_type=\"default\" bg_image_animation=\"none\" border_type=\"simple\" column_border_width=\"none\" column_border_style=\"solid\"][vc_raw_html css=\"\"]JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJibG9nLWZvcm0lMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=\"in_container\" full_screen_row_position=\"middle\" column_margin=\"default\" column_direction=\"default\" column_direction_tablet=\"default\" column_direction_phone=\"default\" scene_position=\"center\" text_color=\"dark\" text_align=\"left\" row_border_radius=\"none\" row_border_radius_applies=\"bg\" overflow=\"visible\" id=\"hidden-content\" overlay_strength=\"0.3\" gradient_direction=\"left_to_right\" shape_divider_position=\"bottom\" bg_image_animation=\"none\" gradient_type=\"default\" shape_type=\"\"][vc_column top_padding_desktop=\"0\" bottom_padding_desktop=\"0\" left_padding_desktop=\"0\" right_padding_desktop=\"0\" column_element_direction_desktop=\"default\" column_element_spacing=\"default\" desktop_text_alignment=\"default\" tablet_text_alignment=\"default\" phone_text_alignment=\"default\" background_color_opacity=\"1\" background_hover_color_opacity=\"1\" column_backdrop_filter=\"none\" column_shadow=\"none\" column_border_radius=\"10px\" column_link_target=\"_self\" column_position=\"default\" gradient_direction=\"left_to_right\" overlay_strength=\"0.3\" width=\"1\/1\" tablet_width_inherit=\"default\" animation_type=\"default\" bg_image_animation=\"none\" border_type=\"simple\" column_border_width=\"none\" column_border_style=\"solid\" column_padding_type=\"advanced\" gradient_type=\"default\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1758182790499{padding-top: 24px !important;}\" text_direction=\"default\"]\n

Hotspots for September <\/span>travellers<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The world\u2019s <\/span>favourite<\/span> urban icons \u2014 London, Tokyo, Paris, <\/span>Rome<\/span> and New York \u2014 continue to shine. But looking at year-on-year growth, the stars of the season are Shanghai (+35%), Tokyo (+20%), Osaka (+18%) and Paris (+5%). These cities are capturing the momentum of <\/span>solo and couple <\/span>travellers<\/span> eager to make the most of the post-summer lull.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=\"No Line\" custom_height=\"32px\"][image_with_animation image_url=\"14544\" image_size=\"full\" animation_type=\"entrance\" animation=\"None\" animation_movement_type=\"transform_y\" hover_animation=\"none\" alignment=\"\" border_radius=\"10px\" box_shadow=\"none\" image_loading=\"default\" max_width=\"100%\" max_width_mobile=\"default\"][divider line_type=\"No Line\" custom_height=\"32px\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1758182805680{padding-top: 24px !important;}\" text_direction=\"default\"]\n

Who\u2019s<\/span> driving the surge?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

Origin markets are shifting too. The United Kingdom ranks second globally for outbound solo and couple travel in September, posting +4% growth year-on-year. Strong increases are also seen from Japan (+14%), Argentina (+8%), Taiwan (+4%), Italy (+4%) and Australia (+3%).<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=\"No Line\" custom_height=\"32px\"][image_with_animation image_url=\"14542\" image_size=\"full\" animation_type=\"entrance\" animation=\"None\" animation_movement_type=\"transform_y\" hover_animation=\"none\" alignment=\"\" border_radius=\"10px\" box_shadow=\"none\" image_loading=\"default\" max_width=\"100%\" max_width_mobile=\"default\"][divider line_type=\"No Line\" custom_height=\"32px\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1758182828049{padding-top: 24px !important;}\" text_direction=\"default\"]But <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> not only leisure fuelling September\u2019s wave. <\/span>Business profiles now account for 22% of all solo and couple bookings, up from 17% in August<\/span> \u2014 a five-percentage-point increase that reflects the return of corporate itineraries after the summer pause. Leisure still dominates, however, making up 67% of bookings in this segment, underlining September\u2019s appeal for short breaks, city <\/span>trips<\/span> and cultural getaways.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why it matters for destinations\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Understanding and <\/span>anticipating<\/span> such seasonal variations is vital. Families might drive higher spend per trip in August, but couples and solo <\/span>travellers<\/span> can fill the September gap, <\/span>supporting<\/span> year-round sustainability and reducing the strain of peak-season seasonality. This shift highlights why destinations and travel businesses need <\/span>accurate<\/span>, predictive data: it empowers them to adapt offers, target campaigns, and refine experiences with precision.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=\"No Line\" custom_height=\"32px\"][vc_row_inner column_margin=\"default\" column_direction=\"default\" column_direction_tablet=\"default\" column_direction_phone=\"default\" top_padding=\"24\" bottom_padding=\"24\" left_padding_desktop=\"24\" right_padding_desktop=\"24\" text_align=\"left\" row_position=\"default\" row_position_tablet=\"inherit\" row_position_phone=\"inherit\" overflow=\"visible\" pointer_events=\"all\" css=\".vc_custom_1753089095434{background-color: #f2faff !important;}\"][vc_column_inner column_padding=\"no-extra-padding\" column_padding_tablet=\"inherit\" column_padding_phone=\"inherit\" column_padding_position=\"all\" constrain_group_1=\"yes\" constrain_group_2=\"yes\" column_element_direction_desktop=\"default\" column_element_spacing=\"default\" desktop_text_alignment=\"default\" tablet_text_alignment=\"default\" phone_text_alignment=\"default\" background_color_opacity=\"1\" background_hover_color_opacity=\"1\" column_backdrop_filter=\"none\" column_shadow=\"none\" column_border_radius=\"none\" column_link_target=\"_self\" overflow=\"visible\" gradient_direction=\"left_to_right\" overlay_strength=\"0.3\" width=\"1\/1\" tablet_width_inherit=\"default\" animation_type=\"default\" bg_image_animation=\"none\" border_type=\"simple\" column_border_width=\"none\" column_border_style=\"solid\" column_padding_type=\"default\" gradient_type=\"default\"][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=\"small_modern\" image=\"2278\" color=\"Default\" quote=\"\u201cForwardKeys\u2019 insights reveal the nuances of global travel behaviour. By analysing real-time air bookings and applying predictive intelligence, we help destinations and brands stay ahead \u2014 spotting trends, identifying growth markets, and turning insights into action. Having access to this intelligence can be the difference between reacting and leading.\u201d\" name=\"Olivier Ponti\" subtitle=\"Director of Intelligence & Marketing at ForwardKeys\"][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=\u00bbin_container\u00bb full_screen_row_position=\u00bbmiddle\u00bb column_margin=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_tablet=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_phone=\u00bbdefault\u00bb scene_position=\u00bbcenter\u00bb text_color=\u00bbdark\u00bb text_align=\u00bbleft\u00bb row_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb row_border_radius_applies=\u00bbbg\u00bb overflow=\u00bbvisible\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3″ gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb shape_divider_position=\u00bbbottom\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb][vc_column column_padding=\u00bbno-extra-padding\u00bb column_padding_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_position=\u00bball\u00bb column_element_direction_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_element_spacing=\u00bbdefault\u00bb desktop_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb tablet_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb phone_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb background_color_opacity=\u00bb1″ background_hover_color_opacity=\u00bb1″ column_backdrop_filter=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_shadow=\u00bbnone\u00bb…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":14548,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[623,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-our-insights","category-destinations"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14540"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14540\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14552,"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14540\/revisions\/14552"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardkeys.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}