The single market

When one partner likes to lazily “fly and flop” by the pool, it seems, the other very often wants an action-packed break which includes a tough physical challenge.

Glenyce Johnson, managing director of Peregrine Adventures and Gecko Adventures says: “Many people can only afford long-haul adventure holidays when they get older and then they often can’t agree on what they should do.

“Our tours are essentially grass roots travel adventures, including cultural trips across China, foodie tours in Vietnam, wine tours in France and trekking in Peru.

“About 70 per cent of our travellers are female and of that total, about 40 per cent are single, while 60 per cent leave their husband or partner at home.”

Stella Blackwell, spokesperson for specialist adventure operator Explore, says: “At least 50 per cent of our customers travel solo because they enjoy different holiday experiences from their partner, husband or wife. Holiday allowances are pretty precious, so why spend hard-earned time off doing something that doesn’t interest you?”

New research by travel agency Sunshine.co.uk claims that couples’ holidays could be a dying trend as a majority of people in relationships around the UK claim to find it preferable to holiday with a group, rather than just with their partner.

Nearly 1,900 adults took part in the study, all of them in established relationships and all of whom had been on holiday with just their partner previously. When asked their thoughts on couples’ holidays, some 51 per cent said they found it “boring” when just the two of them went away.

The survey found that 37 per cent preferred a holiday with friends 
 (partner present), while 25 per cent like holidays with friends but without their other half.

Chris Clarkson, co-founder of Sunshine.co.uk, says: “Clearly, you need to make sure you’re doing things you both enjoy on holiday, rather than just lazing about by the pool if that’s your partner’s idea of hell. There must be a balance.

“The other thing about couples’ holidays is that you always end up with pictures of just you or your partner, unless you pester someone to take a snap of you both!”