Friendship comes first for an increasing number of women opting for all-girl breaks, rather than romantic holidays with their partners.
One in three women over the age of 45 who are in a relationship, regularly take at least one vacation a year with female friends, leaving their significant other at home, a new report for online retailer JD Williams reveals. Shorter girlfriend-getaways, for a weekend or three to four days are also on the rise with just under a fifth of women over 45, (19%) saying they take two or more mini-breaks each year with female-only groups.
The top reason for the single-gender breaks, cited by just over half (52%) of women who go on them, was, spending time with friends. The second most popular reason was to take part in an activity my partner has no interest in, followed by, indulging in “me time” away from my domestic routine.
Celebrities such as Friends stars Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, model Kate Moss and best pal Sadie Frost, comedienne Amy Schumer, the Kardashians and younger gal-pals like Taylor Swift, Cara Delevingne and Gigi Hadid, have helped drive the trend with glamorous snaps from their fun-filled girl-friend only trips regularly posted on social media.
Over half of women-only trips are taken abroad, 58%, while 42% are spent in the UK. Favourite activities while on a girl-getaway include talking and relaxing, walking, swimming, taking exercise or wellness/meditation classes and eating out.
Travel companies report demand for women only holidays is rising and according to recent industry reports 64% of all travellers globally are women. In addition, a recent study by Harvard University found there to be significant health benefits associated with social interactions such as going on a break with friends. Harvard researchers concluded, "social connections like these not only give us pleasure, they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet and not smoking.”
Suzi Burns of JD Williams said: “We were not surprised to find our study showed the friendship of other women is valued so highly among those over 45 that more of them are opting to spend time on female-only breaks nurturing those relationships. Most friendships are built up over many years and it isn’t always easy to find time in our everyday lives to give close friends the attention they deserve. Women are now more independent and have the money and the confidence to organise their own holidays with their own friends, rather than just with their husband’s or partners.
“Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow, were on holiday together to celebrate Jennifer’s 50th birthday in February this year and then again to mark Courteney’s 55th birthday in June; their relationship is a great example of an enduring friendship that has lasted through career highs and lows, marriages and divorces.”
