Sun, sea and sand - but no sex - for singles

Leading singles holiday specialist, Friendship Travel, reveals -  following a recent on-line survey  -  the things that singles like doing best on holiday and that looking for love is low on the agenda. 

When asked what worried them about holidaying alone, eating by yourself tops the list, while having company – someone to chat to and sightsee with - is also very important.

The top five things that put people off taking a holiday alone are as follows:

1. Eating on your own, especially in restaurants
2. Lack of company
3. Cost – are there hefty single room supplements?
4. The idea that a singles holiday is a ‘dating agency’
5. Confidence and security (worry about travelling alone)

Said Friendship’s managing director, Colum McLornan:  “Asking for a ‘table for one’ is no fun when on holiday and meals usually end up being eaten in haste and behind the safety of a book.

“A third of respondents said they were – or had been worried – that singles holidays were all about dating, and that put them off booking” said McLornan.  The reality is that people – especially our guests - don’t go looking for love on holiday, they just want  company and a fun holiday.”

The survey also asked ‘’What is your idea of a good holiday.”  The results show that just like families and couples, single people want to relax and chill in the sun by the pool or on the beach.

The top five requirements for a good singles holiday are as follows:

54% - Total relaxation (sun, sand, sleep and read)
30% - Stimulating sightseeing
8% -   Activities and sporty pursuits
5% - Good nightlife
3% - Special interest/hobby holidays

“Sun, sea and sand may sound obvious, but many singles holidays are escorted sightseeing tours – or special interest holidays.   However, the results show that singles want to relax in the sun or by the pool, or on the beach, rather than constant sightseeing or getting active, said McLornan.

He added: “Our approach has always been to offer laid-back unstructured holidays and our Mediterranean house party holidays have always been the most popular.  I had been thinking about introducing more sporty – or cultural trips – but the survey suggests we’ve got the balance just about right.

“In fact, the following comment from one of our clients – typical of so many that were received -  sums up what a Friendship holiday is about:

“On a Friendship Travel holiday you have company when you want it – especially at meal times.   There’s company there whenever you choose, but you don’t feel antisocial if all you want to do is sit by the pool and read.   No pressure…”

As to single room supplements, all Friendship Travel guests enjoy sole occupancy of their own room without incurring single room supplements.

When it comes to booking a holiday itself, just under half of participants revealed that their preferred way of making a reservation was to research and book online at a time to suit themselves.  

Said managing director, Colum McLornan:  “This was good news for us as we have just invested in on-line booking – operational from Easter onwards.  However, our knowledgeable reservations team will still be on hand for the large percentage of our guests who still prefer to discuss their holiday requirements with a member of the team.”

For more information, visit friendshiptravel.com.