Warning - Holidaying with friends can ruin your friendship

You expect to lose something on holiday – your sunglasses, your camera, your innocence – but 10 million Brits have lost a good friendship; due to the fatal mistake of not testing ‘holiday friendship compatibility’ before embarking on a seven or fourteen days break together.

New research by Travelodge has revealed one in five Brits have experienced a ‘friends holiday from hell’ because they did not invest in a short break together first; to see whether they were well-matched to go on a long trip together. Seven per cent of these holidaymakers even terminated their holiday within the first few days because they could not bare to spend another minute in their friend’s company.

The report also found 55% of Brits holidaying with friends have two serious arguments. Listed below are the top five main causes for the disagreements:

- Clash of personality (finding out what your friend is really like to live with)

- Not having the same interests regarding activities and choice of food

- Experiencing your friends annoying habits that you did not know such as: snoring, being untidy and borrowing things without asking

- Fancying the same person, not approving of friends holiday romance or vice versa

- Money, who has paid for what and how the kitty is spent

To further the budget chain’s analysis of its ‘friends holiday from hell’ research, Travelodge also conducted an independent study amongst its 330 Hotel Managers, to find out if they had experienced friction between customers who were sharing a room with friends. Findings revealed that 35% of hotel managers regularly get asked by customers who are sharing with their friend’s if they can book a separate room after the first night. The main reason for the additional room is predominantly down to one party snoring and talking in their sleep.

Paul Anstey, Travelodge Operations Director said: “Around 60% of our customers stay for leisure. A large proportion of these consumers are friends who are travelling or holidaying together. Our findings illustrate you can know someone for many years but it’s only when you share a room together for the first time, that you really get to know that person. This experience can be true test of a friendship”

Anjula Mutanda, Psychologist and Life Coach said: “It’s a very common issue - friendships breaking up on holiday. The idea of going away with someone you know and trust sounds good in theory but it’s so easy for it to go wrong. Never underestimate just because you’re good friends, going away together for a one or two weeks break will be easy. It’s a big risk holidaying with someone for the first time; this is when you will discover what they are really like.

“I would suggest, before committing to a friend’s holiday, first go for trial run such as a weekend break to access your compatibility. This will be beneficial for both parties and will not just save you money and heartache but most importantly your friendship”.

See below for Anjula Mutanda’s five steps ‘Holiday Friendship Compatibility’ plan:

1. Ensure the friends you go away with, have similar interests

2. Do a trial run first and go away on a short break before investing on a one/two week holiday

3. Decide on holiday arrangements beforehand such as: are you having a kitty, sleeping arrangements and what type of activities you would like to do

4. Give each other space, you don’t have to live in each pockets during the whole holiday

5. Be extra considerate to your friend’s needs when holidaying together

The Travelodge poll of 3400 adults also investigated the nation’s views on holidaying with friends and findings revealed:

Brits feel three is the maximum number of friends to go away with
65% of Brits prefer to go away with a mixed group of friends rather than the same sex

Tempers are more likely to flare on a friends holiday on the third and fourth day

69% of Brits will take one holiday a year with friends

13% of Brits have constantly argued with friends on holiday

A beach holiday is the most popular type of holiday to go away with friends

30% of Brits have regretted going away with friends and vowed not to do it again

50% of Brits said you should always invest in a short break with friends before investing in a one/two holiday to ensure you are compatible

For more information, visit Travelodge.co.uk.