A new study by KAYAK.co.uk has revealed that three quarters of UK adults say that they act differently on holiday. So, what exactly do they get up to?
- A quarter of couples say that they get along better on holiday
- 41% have had a holiday romance
- A third drink alcohol in the morning
London, 26 April 2017- Holidays are a chance to relax and unwind, but perhaps surprisingly, new research from travel search engine KAYAK.co.uk has found that 77% of UK adults say that they ‘act differently’ on holiday.
Indeed 28% say that they are more adventurous, 22% say they act younger, and one in five (19%) think that they are more fun. But in practice, what does this mean?
Couples
Holidays are good for relationships, according to the research, which was conducted amongst those who have been on holiday abroad in the past two years. Nearly a quarter (24%) say that they get on better with their partner whilst they are away and almost one in ten (8%) say that holidays are the only time they have ‘deep and meaningful’ conversations with their significant other.
And for 4% of those in a relationship, holidays are the only time they ever have sex with their partner. But for those who are single, there is always the chance for a holiday romance – something 41% of Brits have experienced.
Purchases
A third of Brits (33%) say that they are more free-spending on holiday and worry less about money. But what is this money being spent on? Well half of Brits (46%) say that they buy fridge magnets whilst away, while 24% go for t-shirts with the destination’s name on it. Nearly a quarter (23%) say they buy oversized bars or bags of chocolate at the airport, while 15% opt to bring home a local liqueur.
Alcohol consumption
Brits have a bit of a reputation for liking a drink on holiday – and the research backs this up. Eighty-five per cent of Brits drink whilst away, and knock back an average of seven units of alcohol per day, with three per cent saying they drink over 30 units a day.
A third (32%) say that they drink in the morning whilst away, nearly half (45%) say they drink cocktails, and 29% have a ‘holiday drink’ – a drink they can get in the UK but choose to only ever drink on holiday.
What else do we do?
It seems Brits do like to let their hair down when they’re on holiday. Eighteen per cent have been for a midnight swim at least once, 13% have been thrown in a swimming pool and 10% have danced on a bar. There are lots of other things Brits get up to only whilst away too. The research found that 15% have stayed up all night to watch the sun rise when on holiday, 10% have had a one night stand, 8% have gone skinny-dipping, and 3% have even gotten a tattoo.
There were also interesting findings for things Brits have not done whilst away. For example, a third of men (33%) claim to have never worn shorts on holiday whilst 89% of women have never bared all and sunbathed topless.
And the age when we have the most fun on holiday? According to the research, Brits have the best holidays on average aged 32.
Suzanne Perry – travel expert at KAYAK, comments: “The new research really drives home the transformative effects that a nice holiday can have. Whether you simply want to relax, party hard, or take on a slightly different persona, a change really is as good as a rest.”
