Drinking and sex are some of the unsurprising activities the British get up to when on holiday, a new survey confirms.
The report from Kuoni says Brits lose their inhibitions when on holiday and eat less healthily, exercise less, drink more, dress more provocatively, expect more sex and in more adventurous places, soak up beautiful locations and spend more money.
More than half do things out of character – such as drink more alcohol – and feel liberated by the fact that no-one knows who they are, according to the Kuoni Holiday Report 2011.
Most want to see beautiful places (60%), see another country (53%), enjoy a new experience (52%), have fun (52%) and escape (45%), although age divides these priorities.
Older holidaymakers opt for culture (68% of 55-65 year olds) and younger people seek out fun (62%). Rest and relaxation is by far the priority from a holiday (71%), particularly for women (75%) and parents (74%).
More men (35%) maintain their exercise regime abroad than women (26%) but 21% of holidaymakers do nothing at all. Women prepare more elaborately for holidays than men, with 62% buying new clothes, 36% dieting and 30% exercising.
More than four in ten (43%) drink more alcohol, particularly child-free holidaymakers, with women being partial to exotic drinks.
Some 40% of younger travellers (25-34 year-olds) wish to protect the planet and predict an increase in sustainability over the next decade, but this desire goes hand in hand with saying that luxury will be important (28%). This group is also the least likely to say they will stop flying (6%).
Psychotherapist and health writer Christine Webber, commenting on the findings, said: “Times are really tough for most people in the UK at the moment, so it’s small wonder that people want to let off steam on holiday.
“I’m also delighted to learn that most of us have more sex on holidays with our partners. Holidays are great times to reconnect with the person we love, and to remind each other of the importance of romance and closeness.
“Many of us have no option but to work flat-out these days if we are to hold onto our jobs. But this can turn us into dull, stressed-out, irritable and terribly tired individuals.
“By taking a holiday, we restore balance and sanity into our lives. We have time to think. And we have time to just chill.”