With dating shows hardly ever off our TV screens and new dating websites popping up almost daily, you’d be forgiven for thinking we’re entirely a nation of lonely singletons.
Being in a relationship seems to be the new single these days, which can be hard for any out-of-luck singles looking for love.
If you’re currently on the hunt for that special someone, new research claims to have hit on the perfect formula.
Rather than trying your luck on Take Me Out or revealing your darkest secrets on Baggage, it seems that all you need to do is go on a holiday or two.
Research by tour operator Intrepid Travel has found that almost eight out of ten people find someone with an interest in travel more attractive.
The research surveyed members of dating website MySingleFriend.com, 79 per cent of whom said they find a potential partner more attractive if their online profile lists an interest in travel.
When asked why someone with travel interests are more attractive, 89 per cent said that it means they are adventurous while 84 per cent said it means they are curious about the wider world.
Three-quarters said that keen travellers are more open-minded, while 68 per cent said travellers are more cultured.
Yet open-mindedness and a passion for adventure aren’t the only reasons why travellers are more attractive – 19 per cent of shallow singletons surveyed said a keen traveller is likely to have money to spend on luxuries.
“Having shared interests is important for most relationships,” said Sarah Beeny, TV presenter and founder of MySingleFriend.com.
“If you’re searching for a partner with a passion for seeing the world, make sure you mention your travel aspirations and show off some of your best holiday or travel photos to boost your chances of finding someone with similar interests.”
So next time you’re on a first date, be sure to drop some casual references to that time spent in Thailand. And if you’ve never been out of Europe, last year’s boozy holiday to Malaga will probably do!
