More than a quarter of Brits aged 40 to 65 in relationships confess they would rather holiday with friends than their partners. Almost half of women admit to having more fun with friends and nearly a third of men prefer the quality one-on-one time with mates that holidays offer.
The research commissioned by global hotel brand TUI BLUE, revealed the importance of friendship in mid-life with 63% of those polled stating their friendship group has helped them through the most difficult times of their lives. TUI BLUE has partnered with wellness advocate Davina McCall to highlight the importance of friendships, particularly at mid-life.
Last year Davina tested the brand's Wellness Menu, designing her perfect personal holiday itinerary in Turkey. This year, she went to Cyprus to explore the research findings, highlighting why friendships are so important at this life stage and why it's key to invest in them.
Davina said: "The way you make and catch up with friends changes as you get older, and by the time you hit midlife you really know who's important in your life. Good friends are SO important and can make us feel amazing, but nearly half of us have never been on a ‘mates’ holiday! I was amazed by this, so I joined three pairs of friends in Cyprus with TUI BLUE to understand why. The reasons are familiar... family commitments, distance, work, health problems… but what became clear is the importance of making the time. We had such a lovely week kayaking, doing Pilates and Aquafit classes, eating amazing food and just enjoying downtime in the sun. It made us all appreciate how doing things with best friends can make your life richer… and what better way to do this than on holiday?"
The research also discovered that more than a quarter of those polled met their current best friends back at school.
Managing Director of TUI BLUE, Louise Bates, said: "As part of the world’s leading travel company, we understand how holidays connect people and were surprised so many of us want to get away with our friends but don’t manage to. After working with Davina to launch our wellness menu last year we knew she was the perfect partner to explore why it is so important to invest in quality time with friends and what it means to escape the everyday and reconnect. We designed an itinerary that allowed Davina and her new friends to do just that, and hope their experiences inspire others to take the time to make new memories with their mates, at home or abroad.”
Davina and friends were guests of the TUI BLUE Aeneas Resort in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.
