Brits are swapping family and romantic holidays for getaways with friends

More and more Brits are ditching the traditional family holiday or romantic getaway to go on breaks with friends, according to new research.

Overall, 36% of people said they preferred to travel with pals than partners or relatives - but that number soared to 60% for Londoners. The study, commissioned by mobile provider giffgaff, found that four is the perfect number of travelling buddies with birthday blowouts (57%) topping the list of reasons Brits want a ‘hunnymoon’.

Wanting some fun (51%), escaping the kids (25%), a chance to focus on healthand wellness (19%) and celebrating friendship anniversaries (17%) were also on the list. But though we may opt to travel with friends rather than family, Brits are still keen to keep in touch.

Around 39% said contacting loved ones at home was the top reason to use mobile data on holiday. Ash Schofield, CEO at giffgaff, said: “It’s clear that as a nation we love to stay connected while abroad and share news and pictures of our holidays with friends and family back home.

“But our research shows that people are rationing or denying themselves data usage while away, which must be quite limiting and frustrating at times. That’s why giffgaff makes sure that members stay connected with up to 5GB of inclusive roaming in 40+ EU and selected destinations at no extra cost. ”

To celebrate the UK’s love of a group getaway and the launch of its new travel data add-ons available in 40+ EU countries and selected destinations, giffgaff is opening a pop-up travel lounge this weekend (August 23 and 24) by the Gatwick Express platform at London Victoria Station.

The survey found that access to a departure lounge was on the holiday wish list for 43% of us, so the Holidata Lounge has been created to get ‘hun-in-the-sun’ fun started early. Perks feature those identified as setting travellers up for the ultimate holiday, including complimentary drinks (56%), free travel treats such as sun cream (50%) and assistance with roaming or mobile data before take-off (23%).

Holidaymakers can also relax in the lounge’s Ball Pool Bar or limber up for their flight with Air-obics sessions Giffgaff customers have priority access to the lounge via an exclusive queue jump.