Welcome An introduction to this issue of Solus at a di cult time for the travel industry

WELCOME

ISSUE EIGHT

This, of course, is not the welcome note we were expecting to write you. In previous issues of Solus magazine, we have used this space to talk about the wonderful world of solo travel, how it continues to grow exponentially and how attitudes and operators are changing around it. But, as

Why travel matters

Celebrating the travel industry during these difficult times

the Covid-19 pandemic has seen airlines ground entire fl eets, companies suspend

tours and the Foreign O ce do the once unthinkable, advising against all but essential travel indefi nitely, it’s di cult to write confi dently about the future of the industry or the holiday in general. No one really knows what the world will look like after the lockdown fi nally ends and the coronavirus pandemic fi nally abates – but one thing is for sure: we will travel again. It’s important during this period when we can’t travel that we remind ourselves why we do and how you, as travel agents, bring joy to so many. This issue of Solus, therefore, is about the di culties we face, but it’s also a celebration of the solo holiday. If you’ll indulge us for one moment, we’ll quote Hilaire Belloc, the Anglo-French writer and historian, who said: “We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfi llment.”

Take care of yourselves and we’ll see you all soon.

How we are helping you during the pandemic Across Waterfront Publishing titles, which include Solus, Cruise Adviser and ABTA Magazine, our aim is to report, reassure and rebuild. That is: report news as it happens, reassure the trade, and help to rebuild confi dence in the industry.

We will be inviting industry leaders to share their thoughts on what the future of tourism looks like, to pressure the government to take urgent measures to protect the travel industry, and to educate and reassure agents. As the government now advises those who can to work remotely, we have produced this special digital-only version of Solus magazine to ensure it is not landing in empty shops.

Solusis brought to you by Waterfront Publishing

Publisher Sam Ballard sam@cruise-adviser.com

Publisher Anthony Pearce anthony@cruise-adviser.com

Senior sales manager Bryan Johnson bryan@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9338

Sales manager Rory Collins rory@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 4815

Graphic design Matthew Coles

Sub-editor Nathaniel Cramp

Waterfront Publishing 12-18 Hoxton Street

London N1 6NG info@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9360

Waterfront Publishing is an award-winning independent magazine publisher based in central London. It creates print, mobile and online media and provides editorial, design, proofreading and marketing.

Trade magazines Waterfront has two in-house magazines:

Cruise Adviser, a multi-award winning cruise magazine, and Solus, the only travel trade publication dedicated to solo travel, both of which are aimed at travel agents. Waterfront also produces ABTA Magazine on behalf of ABTA, the Travel Association. The magazine forms the centrepiece of a range of ABTA publications including an ABTA Magazine World Travel Market special edition; a series of ABTA Magazine destination and trend supplements; ABTA Golf and the ABTA Country Guides.

In October 2019, ABTA Magazine won Trade Publication of the Year at the Travel Media Awards.

Contract publishing

Waterfront offers contract publishing services and has produced magazines for Travelzoo; Emerald Waterways, the Cruise

Lines International Association, UK and Ireland (Clia); Cruise & Maritime Voyages; The Travel Village, JV Pastor Groupe and

Advantage Travel Partnership.

The Studio In September 2018, Waterfront launched a new creative agency. The Studio by Waterfront specialises in design solutions across print, web and social media. The Studio offers a tailored approach for all clients, with copywriting, proofreading and design elements available.

Trend forecasting

In summer 2019, Waterfront Publishing formed a joint venture with Globetrender, a trend forecasting agency dedicated to the future of travel. It specialises in forward-looking, consumer-facing editorial, as well as trend reports, research and consulting services for the travel industry. See Globetrender.com

Contents

Check-in

03 Welcome An introduction to this issue of Solus at a di cult time for the travel industry

05 News ABTA urges government change

07 Experience Each issue we chat to a solo traveller about their experience going it alone, this time Leah Stockford shares her thoughts a er heading to the Arctic with Aurora Expeditions

Explore

09 Immersive Tavel Kim Benjamin looks at the rise of immersive travel and investigates some of the best new experiences for solos

13 Technology and solos Gadgets and apps can help solo travellers stay in touch and keep healthy. eful trends 16 Havana club Heidi Fuller-love dons her dancing shoes in the Cuban capital

18 Cruise Sam Ballard looks at some of the options for solo travellers now that cruise is no longer just the preserve of couples