Thomson Holidays has launched Thomson Couples, an all-new adults-only holiday experience aimed at couples who want to spend time abroad in a child-free environment. With the first Couples customers flying out in June, Thomson is the first mainstream travel company to offer 100% child-free holiday resorts worldwide.
News of the launch of the adult-only holidays will be welcomed by over three quarters (79%) of all those questioned for a Thomson Holidays survey who admitted their holidays were affected by other people's children, while 31% said that unruly youngsters have actually ruined a well-earned break.
What's more, one in three UK adults (35%) said they agreed with the statement "Hell is other people’s children on holiday".
For over half those questioned (55%) the main complaint about children is their behaviour in the hotel restaurant, while almost half (48%) find the "general noise and whining" made by kids on holiday irritating. Another major gripe was noise from children in the next room (45%), while for a third (32%) over-tired youngsters can also spoil an evening’s entertainment.
The hotel swimming pool is a flashpoint too, where 41% are irritated by the noise from excited children. Being splashed while sunbathing around the pool was annoying for nearly a third (30%), while 21% said they dislike being splashed by children while they're swimming in the pool.
Interestingly, the problems are not solely confined to other people's children. Some 40% of parents say their own kids affect the enjoyment of their holiday, while 4% of these say they can even ruin it completely. (EDITOR: Then how about some old fashioned discipline?)
The research went on to show many people would like to see adult-only areas in hotels. Over half (55%) believe bars should be a no-go area for kids, while 42% would like part of the swimming pool cordoned off for adults to swim quietly.
The subject of adults-only holidays is explored in greater detail in a 'White Paper' commissioned by Thomson Holidays. The paper includes interviews with people taking both Thomson child-free and child-friendly holidays in Cyprus during last October’s half-term holiday.
Luke Gaskins, Head of Product Development at Thomson Holidays, explained Thomson Couples holidays is part of the company's commitment to designing holidays around the differing needs of its customers, and would complement its hugely popular Thomson Families resorts.
"Family holidays are incredibly important to Thomson and an extremely valuable opportunity for families to spend quality time together, enabling children to experience new places, foods and cultures - and have fun," said Luke.
"At the same time, many parents also tell us how much they cherish a few days to themselves once in a while in addition to their family holiday, to recharge their batteries. Just as our Family resorts are focused on keeping children entertained, Couples is completely geared to adult relaxation and together time. At a Couples hotel, peace and quiet both come as standard."
All hotels in the Thomson Couples range are part of Thomson's Premier Collection, which include the company's very best 4T and 5T hotels. Couples customers will also enjoy complimentary benefits including increased luggage allowance, priority transfers, day-before check-in and dedicated holiday advisors when overseas.
Visit www.thomson.co.uk for details.
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