Fewer couples take holidays by themselves

Many couples are happy to go away together just as long as family or friends come too, the poll by travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk found.

Only 16 per cent of those surveyed said they had booked a trip this year “just with my partner”.

In contrast, 32 per cent were going away with their partner and with family, while 26 per cent were having a break with friends and partner.

The poll also showed 14 per cent of the 1,726 people questioned were taking trips just with friends and six per cent were going with family, but not with their partner.

Those polled were in relationships and had already booked a holiday for 2011.

The survey was conducted after sunshine.co.uk found there had been a 12 per cent rise in family holiday bookings over the past year as well as a 26 per cent increase in group holiday bookings. Couples’ holidays were down seven per cent.

Sunshine.co.uk co-founder Chris Brown said: “Many people in relationships think that a holiday with just the two of them is their idea of paradise, but you’d be surprised at the number of couples who actively choose not to go away with each other.”