No Single Supplement!

I think it’s worth noting that the “single supplement” is entirel an artifact of packaged travel (i.e., tours and cruises) that’s designed and priced for double occupancy. Therefore, it’s easily avoided by forgoing packaged travel and booking accommodations on your own. Yes, the main reason for the “supplement” is that (most) hotel rooms accommodate two people but cost the same when one person occupies them. The answer is to choose lower-priced accommodations, which may also offer better value and more character than hotels large enough to provide blocks of rooms to tour operators. The independent solo traveler doesn’t have to worry about the “single supplement.”

Of course, that’s not a solution for everyone. There are definite advantages to group travel, even though the “supplement” effectively eliminates the price advantage couples and families can often enjoy from packaged travel. The double-occupancy business model reflects the demographics that existed decades ago, when most people lived as couples and families. Travel company executives simply need to be convinced that their shareholders stand to gain by adapting to today’s demographics, where more people live alone than in “traditional families.” If someone can make a convincing business case in proper MBA-speak for marketing travel services to people they currently either ignore or actively discourage with an unaffordable “supplement,” they’ll find a way to do that. It all comes down to the bottom line.

Nothing bugs me more than the single supplement!! anything you can do can only help… A great section on your site would be No Single Supplements where you collect the bits that are in your news etc….