Travel solo class
 

A friend is encouraging me to teach a 2 hr. class at a local community center based on traveling solo. Would you attend such a class? What would you consider a reasonable fee for this information? What information would you be seeking, and what kind of tips would you find most helpful? Thank you for any feedback or suggestions you can offer! BTW, I've traveled solo for the last 15 years to over 20 countries.

well, first, no, I wouldn't attend such a class because I've been traveling for a long time myself so it wouldn't appeal to me--but I'm guessing you want to know from other type people than me. I'm not sure I would have even done it when I was starting to travel because it isn't clear to me what kind of info would be special to traveling solo that I would need to find out from someone else. The only things I can think of that are unique to traveling solo are very minor, mostly psychological, which isn't something anyone can teach you about -- what I'm thinking is one's ability to plan and entertain oneself without feeling lonely, which IMO is a life skill not only related to travel. The very few true travel-related issues might be just a few facts such as that not many hotels have single-occupancy rooms and those rooms are often not very nice so may not be what you want, anyway, unless you are on an extremely tight budget as they aren't usually worth the minor savings. I think there are some people who might want such a class, probably older folks who haven't ever traveled very much, that's my speculation. Even if younger people (ie, 20s) might want some tips or information about traveling solo, I would guess they aren't going to sign up for a class in a community center, I just don't think they do. I think you need to figure out exactly who your target market is and gear the syllabus to that market or it could be all over the place and not that useful (and there is little information you can cover in 2 hrs). I'll bet you anything your market will be mainly females, age 40+, and perhaps especially age 55+. You also need to have a focus market to write an appealing abstract or summary description of the class that will attract registrants. I think there are several books on the market on this topic, some pointed to females, and even if I had some interest in the topic, I'd probably buy a book instead of taking a class. It is very possible registrants might take the class in hopes of meeting others in the same situation, I don't know. Most of the traveling solo books or discussion I've read and heard have simply focused on topics of safety, with a few common-sense tips thrown in that you would know anyway if you were used to doing things alone in your own country. For instance, dining alone is an issue for some people as I've seen a few posts on here about that, although they are almost always from women, I think--you might have some tips on that but for me, there's nothing unique about that issue regarding travel in comparison to my everyday life where I might dine alone in the city or on business trips, which I've been doing since age 22. But for some women who have never done things alone, it might offer insights. This is obviously an extensive topic and I can't summarize in a few sentences what I think such a class should offer, although I think I could develop a proposed syllabus and marketing plan for such a course. So, my main advice is, as I said, to first figure out who your target audience is and the rest will come from that. As for cost, I think that's easier--community center classes tend to have a limited price structure regardless of the course content; where I live a 2-hr class at such a place would probably run about $30-50. For suggestions, you might search this forum for posts regarding that subject and see what the concerns were of the people asking specifically about solo travel. The newspaper where I live (Wash Post) also recently had a good article where they did a comparison between several of the books on the market on this topic as to their utility, and that pointed out some good things regarding useful vs "duh" type tips.

Christina, the content of your response is great, but it would be SO much easier to read if you'd separate it into paragraphs.

Message: well, first, no, I wouldn't attend such a class because I've been traveling for a long time myself so it wouldn't appeal to me--but I'm guessing you want to know from other type people than me. <BR><BR>I'm not sure I would have even done it when I was starting to travel because it isn't clear to me what kind of info would be special to traveling solo that I would need to find out from someone else. <BR><BR>The only things I can think of that are unique to traveling solo are very minor, mostly psychological, which isn't something anyone can teach you about -- what I'm thinking is one's ability to plan and entertain oneself without feeling lonely, which IMO is a life skill not only related to travel. <BR><BR>The very few true travel-related issues might be just a few facts such as that not many hotels have single-occupancy rooms and those rooms are often not very nice so may not be what you want, anyway, unless you are on an extremely tight budget as they aren't usually worth the minor savings. <BR><BR>I think there are some people who might want such a class, probably older folks who haven't ever traveled very much, that's my speculation. <BR><BR>Even if younger people (ie, 20s) might want some tips or information about traveling solo, I would guess they aren't going to sign up for a class in a community center, I just don't think they do. <BR><BR>I think you need to figure out exactly who your target market is and gear the syllabus to that market or it could be all over the place and not that useful (and there is little information you can cover in 2 hrs). <BR><BR>I'll bet you anything your market will be mainly females, age 40+, and perhaps especially age 55+. You also need to have a focus market to write an appealing abstract or summary description of the class that will attract registrants. <BR><BR>I think there are several books on the market on this topic, some pointed to females, and even if I had some interest in the topic, I'd probably buy a book instead of taking a class. <BR><BR>It is very possible registrants might take the class in hopes of meeting others in the same situation, I don't know. <BR><BR>Most of the traveling solo books or discussion I've read and heard have simply focused on topics of safety, with a few common-sense tips thrown in that you would know anyway if you were used to doing things alone in your own country. <BR><BR>For instance, dining alone is an issue for some people as I've seen a few posts on here about that, although they are almost always from women, I think--you might have some tips on that but for me, there's nothing unique about that issue regarding travel in comparison to my everyday life where I might dine alone in the city or on business trips, which I've been doing since age 22. But for some women who have never done things alone, it might offer insights. <BR><BR>This is obviously an extensive topic and I can't summarize in a few sentences what I think such a class should offer, although I think I could develop a proposed syllabus and marketing plan for such a course. <BR><BR>So, my main advice is, as I said, to first figure out who your target audience is and the rest will come from that. <BR><BR>As for cost, I think that's easier--community center classes tend to have a limited price structure regardless of the course content; where I live a 2-hr class at such a place would probably run about $30-50. <BR><BR>For suggestions, you might search this forum for posts regarding that subject and see what the concerns were of the people asking specifically about solo travel. <BR><BR>The newspaper where I live (Wash Post) also recently had a good article where they did a comparison between several of the books on the market on this topic as to their utility, and that pointed out some good things regarding useful vs "duh" type tips.

Christina, thanks for your feedback, and thank you to whoever put it into paragraphs; it read much easier.<BR><BR>Like you, traveling solo came second nature to me. It never occurred to me to me that others who were curious about travel wouldn't know how or didn't want to access the information themselves. <BR><BR>My friend has pointed out that there are people out there like her, who would only take a tour, because she didn't even know how to begin to plan & organize a trip. The thought of it overwhelmed her & she's always toured. So I think it's beyond safety & dining alone.<BR><BR>I too think the emphasis might be women.<BR>I've always wanted to empower women that they didn't have to wait for a friend or lover, that they could indeed plan & do the whole trip by themselves, and love it! This came from meeting many women who didn't think they could do what I've accomplished, yet I know they can.<BR><BR>You're right about the target audience; that's why I'm posting. To see where, if any, interest lies. The travelling on a budget, and traveling to Asia would be complete separate classes, although some 'tips' may overlap.<BR><BR>Your insights have been very helpful & I really appreciate the time you took. Thank you.<BR><BR><BR>

Ahhh...so much easier to read!

I write quickly according to the time I have, sorry if you don't like it but I don't have a lot of time to spend editing my posts on the internet. Regarding your comments on the itinerary etc planning, Andrea, I'm sure some people don't know how to do that but to me, that isn't an issue of solo travel, but any inexperienced traveler. A couple who hadn't traveled would have the some problem, so I think you are mixing the issues of solo travel and inexperienced travel.

Hhhhhmmmm.......I don't see where I mentioned couples traveling or being inexperienced. My reference is people, like my friend, or men, who would like to travel on thier, and not quite sure how to go about it. I'm not so sure it's a matter of being inexperienced, yet unsure if they could handle the whole process alone. My friend is one of many I know who have indeed travelled, either on a tour, or w/a partner and/or friend, yet have relied on another to take care of a myriad of tasks ranging from map reading, hotel selection, how to use local transport, etc. etc.<BR><BR>The community center near my home attracts a wide range of people of varying ages. Thier courses in yoga and african dance attract a 20-60 yr age group of both men & women. So I'm comfortable that locale would work out ok.<BR><BR>Or, perhaps someone has traveled often in Europe, yet is intimidated at the idea of going it alone in Asia. There are a number of angles; right now I'm in the preliminary stages of putting this together, and trying to figure out what would work out best.

Andrea, I think what you may want to do is to put up a notice at the community center to see if anyone is interested. Leave it up for a couple of weeks. You may want to have people sign at list, where they would only need to leave their first names if they wish. That way you could gage what the community interest is.<BR>As a person who easily travels solo when I don't have travel partners, I wonder if solo travelers tend to be independant types who find the information and resources without a class.<BR><BR>Still, I enjoy reading stories and hearing about women who travel solo. It is always affirming to me, since the travel industry seems to cater to couples and groups. <BR>Good luck with your endevor. Perhaps you will find that there is a lot more interest out there, from the many people who have thought about solo travel, yet have been too afraid to try it.

Suzanne, thanks, good idea! Open to more feedback. How about dropping the solo & just a basic travel prep & plan?