At a time when travelling alone is becoming increasingly popular, eDreams has analysed travel trends among Europeans – and in particular Spaniards – to find out whether people prefer to travel alone or accompanied. Although this trend has been on the up and up in recent years, most (Spanish) domestic travellers prefer to have some company when travelling, especially when it comes to sharing experiences (32%), disconnecting from their daily routines with their partner, family or friends (25%), or simply because they believe travelling with others to be more fun (25%)
Spaniards also stand out for being the friendliest travellers, with 38% claiming to have struck up a friendship during their trip, ahead of Italians (32%) and exceeding the European average by 10 points. However, despite being very sociable when on holidays, 45% recognised having differences of opinion with their travel companions on certain occasions (the highest figure among Europeans), mainly due to their fellow travellers’ lack of adventurous spirit (19%) or because of poor organisation and planning (18%).
It also highlights the fact that Spaniards are the European travellers who argue most on holidays (41%). Additionally, 39% say they need to be friends with someone for at least one year before considering going on holidays with them. And when it comes to declining a group trip, the main excuse used by Spanish tourists is a lack of budget (27%).
Male and female travellers share the same interest in short breaks on their own
Although the number of solo male and female travellers increases every year, only 1% are drawn to this formula. If they travel with company, both men and women prefer to share the experience (33% vs 32%) or save money (9% in both cases). And if we look at other reasons, women travellers also mention feeling safer when they travel accompanied (9% vs 6%). By contrast, men value the idea of travelling in company for having fun more than women (27% vs 24%).
Men are also more honest and prefer to avoid making excuses, so they don’t have to travel with someone (32% vs 30%). When forced into the position of having to turn down a trip, women find it easier to argue a lack of budget (28% vs 25%) and men would use their health as an excuse (6% vs 5%). Male travellers also seem to be more sociable while on holidays: 39% of them have made friends during a trip, compared to 37% of female travellers.
Regarding conflicts with travel companions, women find the lack of desire to explore (22% vs 17%) or time differences (14% vs 12%) the most problematic, while male travellers tolerate laziness less (19% vs 15%).
Europeans are social travellers
29% of Europeans decide to travel with someone to share the experience. Other important reasons are that sharing the experience is more fun (23%) and that it’s a chance to disconnect from work and daily life with loved ones (23%). The main excuses for avoiding a group trip are not having enough money (24%), being extremely busy with work (15%) or not being able to take holidays (13%). 38% recognise that they feel incompatible with someone during their trip, especially when it comes to exploring the surroundings (21%), poor organisation (20%) and laziness (18%).
