It’s no secret that Millennials have a strong wanderlust. As an avid traveler, I can attest that there is nothing better than jetting off to an exotic destination. The world changes you for the better, and when you experience something outside of your comfort zone, you feel alive, truly alive, and it stays with you forever. But that's when you're traveling alone. It's a completely different game when you're traveling with your partner; one that's sometimes less romantic and more fraught.
Travel comparison tool Liligo.com has partnered with YouGov to publish findings on travel and relationships from its Travel Trends Report. Among other things, research has found that traveling with a partner can cause stress and drama before you even board the plane. Although a week in the Swiss Alps, drinking hot toddies and cuddling by the fire sounds like the ultimate romantic getaway, the mere process of planning the trip is enough to drive a couple crazy, or at least, almost crazy. This is bound to happen if partners don't see eye to eye when it comes to travel. If one person thinks a 2 star hotel is "tough" and another thinks being on a safari in Kenya without a proper toilet for hundreds of miles in both directions is "tough", then we might have some problems.
Here are seven findings from the Travel Trends Report.
1. Nearly a quarter of Americans believe travel habits are deal breakers
Returning to differences in travel styles, 23% of Americans would completely abandon a relationship because of their partner's travel habits. I think before you start thinking about where you want to go, you'd better make sure you're both on the same page about travel.
2. Millennials are more intolerant when it comes to travel habits
23% of Americans believe travel habits are deal breakers, while 35% of Millennials believe travel habits can make or break a relationship. I have to agree with this wholeheartedly. I once seriously debated flying and leaving a companion at the airport because it took him 30 minutes to get through security because he didn't pack his carry-on properly. Looking back, I totally should have left him.
3. Bad travel planning can lead to some heated arguments
According to the study, one in 12 couples have had an argument over poor travel plans. Since this is the case, it might be wise to plan the trip together so you can both take some responsibility when a travel mishap does occur.
4. More women than men argue over travel
If I want to avoid travel-related arguments, I know I either have to travel alone (which I prefer), or if I'm traveling with a partner, I need to make all the plans. It’s not that I’m a control freak, but I like to do things my own way – which might actually make me a control freak. That said, while one in eight women reported having had an argument with their partner over travel, only one in 20 men said the same.
5. Traveling abroad is more popular than ever
Research found that more Americans traveled abroad in 2015 than in any previous year. The share of these international visitors increased by 7.6% between 2014 and 2015. This is certainly good news! But it also opens the door for more travel-related arguments between couples... or maybe the opportunity for some core intimate moments. Taking risks is great for bringing people closer together.
6. More than 20% of Americans prioritize travel savings over home ownership
While previous generations were more likely to have a five-year plan that might include eventually being able to buy a home, that idea has been left behind. Conversely, 22% of Americans save more for travel than for a home.
7. Wanderlust actually makes people irresponsible
Not only are couples turning away from home buying in favor of traveling, but research has found that one in 12 would forego paying bills to pay for travel. This sounds great in theory, until you realize you've ruined your credit with exorbitant late fees, and suddenly you can't go anywhere. Then you're stuck at home arguing with your partner about money instead of arguing with them about how they went the wrong way, and now you're "stuck" in the middle of Tuscany with only a bottle of Chianti between you. Horrifying incident!
Image source: Fotolia; Jiffy(7)
