At its core, the single supplement is about cost recovery. Most travel and accommodation pricing is based on double occupancy – one hotel room, two guests, costs shared. When only one person occupies a room, the hotel or tour operator doesn’t automatically reduce its pricing by half because their costs haven’t been halved. The room still needs to be cleaned. Utilities are still used. And in many cases, an empty bed means lost revenue.

For tour companies, pricing structures are often tightly balanced. A group tour costed for 20 travellers in 10 twin-share rooms becomes less profitable – or even unworkable – if multiple guests opt to room solo without compensating for that unused bed. So yes, the supplement exists for a reason, but that doesn’t make it less frustrating for those on the paying end of it.

From a solo traveller’s point of view, the message is disheartening – ‘Yes, you’re welcome, but it will cost you more’. For someone already taking the leap to travel independently – navigating logistics, facing uncertainty, and embracing solitude – the financial premium can feel like a punishment for not having a companion. It’s not just about money, it’s about recognition. Solo travellers don’t want special treatment – they want to be seen as a valid and valued part of the travel community, and they want options that reflect the way they choose to experience the world.

The good news? The tide is beginning to turn. Some tour companies, cruise lines, and travel platforms are recognising the value of the solo market and the opportunity it presents. We're seeing tours designed specifically for solo travellers, often with no single supplement at all, accommodation options offering ‘single-friendly’ pricing, and flexible rooming policies, including matching solo travellers to share (if they choose). And as more people travel solo, whether by choice or circumstance, the demand for equitable pricing is becoming harder to ignore.

The goal isn’t to eliminate the supplement entirely, but to offer options that respect different styles of solo travel, and as solo travellers, we can use our collective power to push the change forward. Here’s how:
1. Support businesses that support you. Seek out companies that offer fair pricing for solo guests.
2. Be vocal (but kind). Let travel providers know that the single supplement affects your choices, and your willingness to book.
3. Share your finds. Spread the word when you discover solo-friendly operators, deals, or destinations.
4. Advocate for choice. Not all solo travellers want to share accommodation with strangers.

The single supplement isn’t going to disappear overnight, but it can evolve, especially as the solo travel movement continues to grow. By choosing where we spend our money and raising our voices when needed, we can shape an industry that recognises solo travellers not as an exception, but as an integral part of the global travel community. Solo doesn’t mean second-class, and it certainly shouldn’t mean paying extra just to take the journey on your own terms.