Laidback holiday companions highly sought after

As millions of Britons prepare to get away today for the bank holiday weekend, new research by Abbey Reward Bank Account reveals that while two thirds of people (65 per cent) would choose their partner as their ideal holiday companion, one million Britons would choose their favourite celebrity and nearly half a million (477,880) would choose a work colleague.

The research found that nearly one in five Britons (19 per cent) would choose a friend as their ideal holiday companion, followed by a son/daughter (seven per cent), sibling (two per cent) or parent (one per cent).

The most desirable trait in a holiday companion is a laidback attitude (56 per cent), while the biggest irritant is a holiday companion who's always moaning (79 per cent) or argumentative (70 per cent).

Only 32 per cent of Britons consider the attractiveness of a holiday companion to be important, although twice as many men (43 per cent) as women (22 per cent) deem it so. Overall however, a holiday companion that's funny (54 per cent), entertaining (50 per cent) and intelligent (50 per cent) is valued more highly by Britons than someone who's good-looking, organised (32 per cent) or adventurous (31 per cent).

Just six per cent of Britons say they would want to go on holiday with a party animal, a figure which increases to 13 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 but falls to one per cent of the over 55s. Holidaymakers from the South West, East Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humberside (three per cent) are least likely to want to go away with a party animal, while those from Wales are the most likely (14 per cent).

When it comes to irritating traits in a holiday companion, other top pet hates include being mean with money (57 per cent), being unsociable (55 per cent), and laziness (48 per cent), followed by someone who's always worrying (42 per cent), and a late riser (34 per cent).

Emma Walkley, Abbey Reward Bank Account Manager, says: "With people spending so much of their lives at work, it's perhaps not as surprising as it may first seem that nearly half a million Britons would choose a work colleague as their ideal holiday companion. What's less surprising is that laidback holiday companions are the most highly sought after, with the majority of Britons rating personality above more transient traits.

"As many Britons prepare to get away to enjoy the last bank holiday weekend before Christmas, they should make sure not only that they're spending it with the right people but that if they are going abroad, they are spending their money wisely. For those taking a break with their family, the travel insurance which is included in the Abbey Reward Bank Account will give them excellent cover wherever they are travelling in the world, and they could be earning 6% AER on their money while they are relaxing on the beach or exploring somewhere new.

The Abbey Reward Bank Account will offer the following for a monthly fee of £10:

Credit interest rate of 6.00% AER fixed for 12 months on balances up to £2,500 for new and existing bank account customers

£100 interest free overdraft, thereafter an overdraft rate of 12.9% EAR

Annual Worldwide family travel insurance for two adults and up to four children, including winter sports and golf cover

Green Flag motoring assistance with both UK roadside assistance and home call included

Identity protection providing up to £50,000 of legal cover

Card loss assistance

Commission free travel money

Key protection

Leisure benefits with great savings on days out, dining experiences and hotel accommodation