Almost one in five solo trips set for March, new Thomas Cook data shows

Agadir tops the list for solo travel, beating European favourites

Benidorm crowned the UK’s go-to destination for group getaways

18% of solo trips depart in March, aligning with International Women’s Day

 

With International Women’s Day fast approaching, new booking data suggests holidaymakers are increasingly using the date as a moment to mark something personal - whether that’s independence, confidence, or time away with friends.

New insights from Thomas Cook show a spike in solo and group travel heading into March, with 18% of all independent trips due to depart during the month International Women’s Day falls. 

When it comes to solo travel, Agadir has emerged as the number one destination in 2026 so far, followed by Benidorm and Sliema in Malta, highlighting strong demand for affordable sunshine escapes.

Meanwhile, those choosing to celebrate with friends are savouring European city breaks. Benidorm tops the list however for group bookings without children, followed by Kraków and Dublin.

Jaime Thompson, Head of Inventory & Trading at Thomas Cook, said:

“International Women’s Day has become a natural moment for people to do something for themselves. We’re seeing customers use the occasion as a reason to book a solo escape or plan a group getaway - whether that’s about independence, friendship, or simply switching off.”

Customers booking with Thomas Cook can choose from over 20,000 hotels across 72 destinations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, and enjoy flexible travel options with more than 190 airline partners. All package holidays are ATOL protected, giving customers peace of mind and enhanced financial security, as well as the reassurance of ABTA's Code of Conduct.