New Hotels.com research* has uncovered that the lucky-in-love Irish
consider a romantic fling an essential part of the perfect holiday with 57%
admitting they have fallen for the charms of another whilst in a foreign
land.

The new research reveals that when holidaymakers are away from the drudgery
of their daily routines, they are more likely to let their inhibitions go
and seize the opportunity to find that special someone. Almost two thirds
of those surveyed admitted that when on holiday they were more likely to
let their guard down and give love a chance to blossom (61%).

According to the survey, for many a holiday romance isn’t just a two-week
fling. Two fifths of loved-up Irish holiday-makers (41%) try to keep the
flame burning once they return home.  However, statistics show the odds
are against them with only 7% of holiday romances lasting the distance with
33% slowly petering out. One in five (20%) holiday couples even call time
on their foreign romance before they embark on their homeward-bound
journey, believing that a holiday fling should not outlast the holiday.

Alison Couper, Communications Director for Hotels.com, said: “Our research
has shown that love often blossoms when people are on holiday away from
their daily routine. We have also found that the stereotypes seem to be
holding up: Irish and Brits are the most reserved about relationships on
holiday whereas Italians really set pulses racing.”

The survey, which polled holiday-goers from eight European countries,
showed the Italians to be Europe’s most romantic nation, with 79% admitting
to a holiday romance, followed by 76% of Spanish holiday-makers who keep an
eye out for romantic opportunities when abroad.

In fact, when compared with their more hot-blooded Latin counterparts, the
Irish (57%) are actually the least likely to embark on a far-flung fling,
followed closely by UK neighbours (60%).

When it comes to being open about their relationship status back at home,
10% of Irish holidaymakers admitted to lying to their love interest in
order to make a romance more likely.  The Danes are the most honest with
just 4% admitting to being economical with the truth. At the other end of
the spectrum, the French were found to be the least honest (18%) about the
presence of a significant other.

The research also reveals that the majority of Irish who embark on a
romance believe it is as a result of a ‘moment in time’ and holiday
circumstances rather than actual romance (83%), with the Irish among the
top sceptics of why a romance flourishes on holiday, on par with the UK
(83%) and just below the Swedes, who top the poll on this question
(85%). The Spanish are more romantic in their beliefs and the least likely
to blame it solely on their holiday surroundings (61%).