After almost two years of Zoom meet-ups and social distancing, it’s no surprise that adults are hungry for human contact.
According to new research by Hotels.com, it seems searches for ‘social getaways’ are on the rise - with guests prioritising amenities such as pools, spas, bars, gyms and communal workspaces, when searching the site, in the hope of sparking interactions.
More than half of those polled for Hotels.com have seen their social circle shrink post-pandemic and a similar amount agree that hotels are the perfect place to connect with like-minded people and make new friends.
Almost 40 per cent of global travellers admit they will go on holiday solely to meet new people. Romance is clearly on the minds of guests, with 15 per cent admitting they yearn for a holiday romance.
It’s clear this strategy works, with 40 per cent of British travellers having had at least one previous holiday affair and nine per cent still enjoying a relationship with someone they met on holiday.
The hotel platform has also reported an increase in searches for solo staycations in the UK, and almost half of those surveyed admitted that travelling with friends can inhibit making new connections.
Emma Tagg, of Hotels.com, said: “The pandemic has been as tough on personal relationships as it has on travel plans. For future travel, holiday-goers are looking more than ever to make connections with others and pick a sociable hotel as their base.
"Whether it’s to unwind poolside with a cocktail, make small chat while they downward dog, or have someone to get lost with while exploring a new city - travellers are more open than ever to strangers becoming friends.”
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