Club Med survey reveals most couples fight over what to do on holidays

TRAVELLING with a partner isn't always a romantic experience, with new reseaching revealing most of us end up fighting.

Where to go and what to do can cause arguments on holidays.

EVER arrived with your loved one in what should be the perfect holiday paradise and then bickered constantly about what to do?

If so, you're far from alone, with a new survey revealing that 54 per cent of people who have travelled as a couple have come to verbal blows about what activities or experiences they wanted to undertake.

Guys are most likely to be put out by disagreements about what day trips to go on or by watching their partner pack out the comfy clothes and the holiday reading when they want to explore, the Club Med survey of the holiday habits of 1000 Australians reveals.

Women, on the other hand, are liable to crack the proverbial when asked to do too much, with 19 per cent expressing displeasure about their partner pressuring them to take part in activities when all they want to do is relax.

However, not surprisingly, close to one-in-four people nominated money as the biggest cause of holiday disputes, proving that it won't buy you happiness - even if you're surrounded by palm trees, white sand and six-star luxury in a tropical idyll.

"As the saying goes, opposites attract, so it wasn't surprising to hear that couples want different experiences on holiday," Club Med general manager for Australia, Madeleine Clow, said.

"The secret to a happy holiday is accepting that you don't have to spend every second of your trip together.

"Set aside time for you both to spend as you like - whether relaxing, sightseeing or trying a new activity. Meet for a romantic dinner after; you'll look forward to seeing each other and have plenty to chat about over your meal," she said.

According to the survey, holiday disagreements may well be a product of age. While most elderly couples don't argue on holiday, Gen X and Gen Y are the most likely to engage in a heated argument while sunning themselves by the pool.

Mark van Huisstede, 45, and his wife Julie said their holiday disagreements always centred around the same things.

"The most common causes of tension for us on holiday are the price of my beer versus her cocktail, or me wanting to go golfing," Mr van Huisstede said.

The couple, from the New South Wales north coast, have settled on all-inclusive beach and ski holidays as a way to ensure their disagreements don't exact too high a price.

"We've resolved it by taking the family on all-inclusive holidays to keep the peace. No matter the number of cocktails drunk or desserts eaten, the price stays the same, and while I play nine holes my wife can do zumba or tai chi," Mr van Huisstede, a travel company owner, said.

When Australians can agree on what they want to do on holiday, the most common features they look for are sightseeing, followed by history, heritage and relaxation, the survey found.

And while Australians are prepared to splash the cash on seeking out the best experiences - when they can agree on what those are - there are still moments when reality intrudes.

Despite being the second biggest spenders on travel globally, according to the survey 85 per cent of Australians have had to forgo travel experiences because of their cost.

MAJOR PROBLEMS ON HOLIDAY

Money causes most arguments

Disagreements over money is the most annoying thing when travelling with a partner as nominated by close to one in four respondents (23.5%).

Do you want a holiday which is active or do you just want to chill out?

A majority of people (54.0%) who have travelled as a couple admit disagreeing with their partner about what activities or experiences they wanted to do while on holiday.

Men and women have different holiday ideas

• Men are more likely than women to be annoyed about disagreeing about what day trips to go on (24.8% vs. 21.0%), or to be annoyed about their partner relaxing when they want to do other activities (23.3% vs. 19.3%).

• Women are more likely to say that they are annoyed about their partner pressuring them to take part in other activities when they want to relax (19.0% vs. 13.5%).

Arguments are a young person's thing

• Most elderly couples don't argue while on holiday, suggesting that getting annoyed with your partner could be associated with age.

• Pre-baby boomers (54.0%) are the most likely to report never having annoying experiences while travelling with a partner. They are followed by baby boomers (38.9%), Gen X (36.6%) and Gen Y (36.1%).

Five tips from Club Med for avoiding and settling disagreements with your partner on holiday

1.Let the small stuff slide: Holidays are a great opportunity to create memories with your partner that you'll treasure forever. Make a conscious effort to not let the small things become big things - you'll regret it when you return.

2.Research and book accordingly: Before your holiday, do your research and chat about what you both want out of the trip. Choose a resort that ticks as many boxes as possible - adult only zones for relaxation, a range of drinking and dining options, spa facilities, plenty of sporting activities and excursions.

3.Spend time apart: While on holiday make an effort to occasionally do separate activities, so that you both get what you want out of your trip, whether it's relaxation, activities or a mixture of both. Then share romantic meals throughout the day for quality time.

4.Make new friends: It doesn't just have to be the two of you. Good resort staff help to create a fun and social environment, so take advantage of this and embrace the holiday spirit.

5.Do something special: Choose a new activity or experience to enjoy together that is particularly special - this will lift your mood and create special memories, for example releasing baby turtles into the wild or an elephant ride.