Emirates flight attendants share tips for solo travel
To celebrate the unofficial "Plan a Solo Vacation Day" holiday on March 1, Emirates is providing targeted tips to help increase the excitement, freedom and adventure of travelling alone.
Solo travel has been steadily gaining momentum since the pandemic. In a 2023 survey conducted by Solo Travel World in the United States, 68 percent of participants identified themselves as independent travelers, Cyprus Mail writes.
Solo travel allows you to explore the world on your own terms, without having to manage the whims and desires of others. Whether you've been travelling solo for years or are planning your first solo trip, the advice of Emirates' multicultural crew members will be helpful anyway.
Booking hotels
Alessandra Piper from the UK, who has been flying with Emirates for over nine years, shares her tips, "I make sure to take two solo trips a year. Book hotels with flexible booking policies as you may decide to stay in certain places longer. A flexible cancellation policy makes this process easier."
Culinary options
Eabha Sloyan from Ireland let her inner foodie loose, "Food markets are great. On my last trip, I visited the famous Tsukiji market in Tokyo. Spending an evening at the market, eating a large amount of sushi, enjoying the energy, fresh produce and wonderful flavours was a culinary experience I could only dream of. It is a place I would like to visit again and again."
Safety and local culture
Shamiso Guvava from the UK, who has been part of the Emirates team for over a year, said, "My training as a crew member has changed the way I look at travelling alone. It has taught me to be constantly vigilant. Safety comes first. Thanks to the training, I feel more confident in communicating with people from different countries and in getting advice from locals and fellow travellers."
Study
Irfan Huseinovic, a Bosnian who has also been a member of the Emirates programme for over a year, said, "My trick is that I walk everywhere because it makes it easier to see and explore the city. My longest independent vacation was in Malta when I spent 25 days on the beautiful island. It was an incredible journey full of self-discovery, adventure, and incredible experiences. From exploring ancient monuments to breathtaking sunny beaches, every moment was magical."
Micaela Olivieri, an Emirates crew member from Argentina who has been working for more than two years, listed three main things to do while travelling, "First of all, always take care of yourself and your personal belongings. When you are walking in a crowded place, make sure your bag is in front of you and not behind you. Secondly, learn the local culture and respect it. And finally, always trust your intuition and rely on past experience."
Alessandra Piper adds, "The best thing I learned is not to get attached to your phone! Keep it in a safe place so you're not tempted to check it all the time. Look around, enjoy the sights and views!"
TravelWise wrote about the top 5 tips that will make your car trip easy and enjoyable.
