Romance has blossomed for more nearly a quarter (23%) of holidaymakers, according to new research from AA Travel Insurance.
Those aged between 25 and 34 are most likely to have enjoyed a holiday ‘fling’ (25%) although such romantic encounters seem rarely to stand the test of time.
In fact, more than two-thirds (68%) of those who did experience a holiday romance never met their partner again, even though some kept in touch for a time. Of them, half described their relationship as a ‘five-minute wonder’ and the other half said it was ‘fantastic’ to have a ‘no-strings’ affair.
Some (13%) said they fell ‘madly in love’ and met did meet again, but still the relationship didn’t develop further.
Teresa Brewer, manager of AA Travel Insurance, suggests that for many, it’s not just the pressures of home and work that are left behind, but inhibitions too: opening the doors to a romantic encounter.
“It’s clear that most holiday romances are just that – they don’t go any further because things you might share when on holiday just wouldn’t or couldn’t work when you get home.
“But occasionally a spark is struck that turns into the long-term flame of love – in fact, nearly a fifth (18%) went on to form a long-term relationship while a surprisingly high number (7%) say they met their lifetime partner while on holiday.”
In fact, older respondents are most likely to have made the most of a holiday romance when younger, with just over 11% of those aged 60 or over saying they had met their lifetime partner during a holiday.
Says Teresa Brewer: “I believe that is a reflection of changing opportunities to develop a romance. When those aged 60 were young, they didn’t have the benefit of social websites or the club scene that we have today so a holiday presented a good opportunity to meet someone special.”
However, things don’t always turn out so well with a few (3%), mostly women, saying that it was the ‘worst thing that could have happened’.
“Holidays really can throw up the unexpected – including the possibility of meeting your perfect partner. But whether that happens or you just enjoy a short holiday encounter, you’ll want to be sure you can enjoy your hard-earned leisure time and make the most of the opportunities that come along. For most, that will be simply enjoying new experiences and seeing new sights.
“However, it really is important to make sure you have decent travel insurance because sometimes the unexpected may be less welcome: and that’s when insurance can make a real difference.”
Key findings
– 3,000 interviews were carried out by One Poll for AA Travel Insurance in December, 2010.
– 22% of respondents had experienced a ‘holiday romance’, the 25-34 age group (25%) most likely to have done so.
– 39% said it was a ‘five minute wonder’ and went no further
– 29% had a ‘fantastic’ fling and kept in touch for a time but didn’t meet their partner again
– 13% ‘fell madly in love’ but it didn’t last
– 9% ‘fell madly in love’ and went on to form a long-term relationship
– 7% met their lifetime partner on holiday
– 11% said it was ‘the best thing that could have happened’
– 3% said it was ‘the worst thing that could have happened’
– 2% had property or money stolen off them by the person they met
Differences between men and women
– Men (24%) are more likely to have enjoyed a holiday romance than women (20%)
– Women (8%) are more likely to have met their lifetime partner while on holiday than men (5%)
– Women (4%) are twice as likely to admit that a holiday romance was ‘the worst thing that could have happened) than men (2%)
– Men are more likely to have had property or money stolen off them (2% against 0.3%)
Age differences
– Those aged 55-59 (49%) are most likely to have enjoyed a ‘five-minute wonder’
– Those aged over 60 (31%) are overwhelmingly likely to say their holiday romance was the ‘best thing that could have happened’ and are also most likely to have had a ‘no-strings fling’ and kept in touch, but never met again (19%). This age group is also most likely to have met their lifetime partner (11%) while on holiday
– The 18-24 age group are most likely to have fallen in love and formed a longer-term relationship
– The youngest respondents, aged between 18 and 34, are most likely to have regretted their holiday romance (4%), almost twice as many as any other age group. This age group exclusively had property or money stolen off them.
Source : The AA
