‘Si thi later...’ surge in travellers leaving their other half behind

In the past year as many as 27 per cent of those in a relationship went away without their partner.

Ten years ago, just 10 per cent admitted having a holiday without their partner.

Based on responses by 1,000 people in live-together relationships, the survey from LV= travel insurance found that the top reason for holidaying apart was to have time with friends, followed by wanting “me time” or to take part in a hobby in which a partner was not interested.

Around 13 per cent took trips at different times from their partner due to work or other commitments, while around the same number holidayed separately as they had different leave patterns. Failing to agree on a choice of a destination was also a cause of solo trips.

Somewhat unromantically, four per cent said it was cheaper to go away without their partner, while three per cent left a partner behind to look after the children or pets.

The solo holiday is slightly more popular with women, who took 52 per cent of the apart-from-partner trips in 2013.

The poll also showed that women tended to prefer going away with friends for city breaks, spas and short-haul beach tips, while men opted for activity-based trips including golf and fishing.

LV= travel insurance managing director Selwyn Fernandes said: “The way we travel has fundamentally changed in recent years with people going away more frequently and taking part in a wider range of activities.”