toedtoes- Believe me I appreciate efforts to breathe life into this branch. I promise to say only kind things from now on. Other travel sites have active solo boards possibly this one has that potential.

Suze - thanks for the positive outlook. I won't hold you to always saying something positive though - sometimes a negative comment is just as important and your opinions, whether they agree with mine or not, are of value. I do agree that this topic is more of a "I'm a solo traveler looking for assistance" rather than a "I don't want to go alone and am looking for a companion traveler" topic.

I think if we can get this topic built up into something of value that it can be successful. We definitely have a good group of people here who have great advice and knowledge to share. I suggest that if someone notices that nothing has been posted on a thread, that they make an effort - even if they don't have an answer - even just a "the Europe board will be able to answer your question" is acceptable. Nothing wrong with directing them to a place or site where they can get help. Perhaps adding afterwards "Please share with us a summary of any advice you get as we are interested in the subject also." That might show folks that we're not sending them away, but just trying to help them get an answer. It could also entice folks into coming back.

I like Catbert's idea: post in more than one area.

Suze,

We tried, and the Editors didn't read it or didn't care. I suspect the later - these Forums mean something to us, but not much to them.

After forgetting about this Forum (because there was so rarely anything of interest) several times, and finally revisiting and finding the same thing; I posted this thread.

But it is a lost cause. I finally gave up and never visit the solo traveler forum. Only saw this because it comes up on a search for my threads.

But I still feel for the first time Fodors visitors that come to this Forum, post and never get a response. Or get one that comes days or weeks after they gave up.

Keith

Keith,

I do agree with you. I was quite daunted to try posting here because of the lack of responses. But, going through the posts, and seeing which ones got responses and which ones didn't, I started to think that the problem isn't the topic, but the way it's being used.

As I mentioned before, I think that posts requesting an answer for a question as specific as "travelling alone, where should I stay in Venice? is better answered in the Europe topic. But, a question like "travelling alone, how do I stay safe in my hotel room?" will get fewer but more applicable responses in this topic.

I also think that if those who still read this topic would throw out a question or two of their own (even if you know the answer - just to hear other ideas), then it will become more active and newcomers will be more likely to ask their own questions.

At least I think it's worth the effort to try.