What if the ideal travel companion was simply the one that enabled us to stay connected with others?

A good, free internet connection is what 47% of people surveyed chose as what they missed the most when far from home. This is especially true in the 18-24 age bracket, with 54%, vs. 40% of people aged 50 to 65.

Preferred travel companions obviously remain spouses, children and friends. But 19% of travellers nevertheless consider their favorite travel companion to be none other than themselves! For example, 25% of Germans, Americans and Indians surveyed said they prefer to go away on their own. Me, my Internet connection and nothing else? Once again, the generation gap is significant with a higher number of young travellers aged 18 to 24 preferring to enjoy their own company when away.

Meanwhile, colleagues and bosses only found favour with Chinese travellers, 40 and 48% of which were open to going on holiday with their boss or colleagues respectively.

Last but not least, 38% of respondents also said that their bed and pillows are what they miss the most when they're away, which was almost as many as those who said they missed friends and family the most (40%).

We spoke to Aussies about their holidays too, and found out:

·         76% of Aussies feel excited when they are preparing to go on holidays.

·         Almost 40% of Aussies are looking for adventure and 35% travel to escape.

·         In defiance of the Aussie stereotype, only 16% told us they were travelling to party.

·         Surpassed only by their French counterparts, Aussies aged 50-65 travelled the most compared with other age groups. In comparison, only 9% of Chinese aged 50-65 travelled.

·         Aussies were some of the most romantic in the world, with almost 70% choosing their lover as their perfect travel companion. They also told us that they would prefer to travel with their boss rather than their neighbour!  

·         Over 50% of Aussies expect their accommodation choices to deliver a home away from home experience.

*Online study conducted by AccorHotels.com, assisted by the research institute © GfK 2017 with 5,939 men and women aged between 18 and 65 who have spent at least one night in a paying establishment (hotel, guesthouse, Bed & Breakfast, etc.) over the past 12 months. Study conducted between April 27 and May

ENDS 

 ABOUT ACCORHOTELS

The AccorHotels Group is a global leader in travel and lifestyle, and a pioneer in digital technology, offering unique experiences in more than 4,100 hotels, resorts and residences, and in more than 3,000 outstanding private residences worldwide. With its dual expertise as an investor and operator, through its HotelInvest and HotelServices divisions, AccorHotels operates in 95 countries. Its portfolio includes internationally renowned luxury brands such as Raffles, Sofitel Legend, SO Sofitel, Sofitel, Fairmont, onefinestay, MGallery by Sofitel, Pullman and Swissôtel, the mid-range boutique hotel brands 25hours, Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter and Adagio, and very popular budget brands such as JO&JOE, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as the regional brands Grand Mercure, The Sebel and hotelF1. AccorHotels provides innovative services to travelers, throughout their entire journey, notably through the recent acquisition of John Paul, the leading concierge service worldwide.

Boasting an unrivalled range of brands and a rich history dating back some five decades, AccorHotels has a global team of more than 250,000 committed women and men investing all their energy into making “Feel Welcome” resonate as the finest hotel promise. Guests have access to one of the world's most attractive hotel loyalty programs - Le Club AccorHotels. 

AccorHotels plays an active role in the local communities where it operates and is actively involved in promoting sustainable development and solidarity through PLANET 21, a comprehensive program bringing together employees, clients and partners in order to ensure sustainable growth.

Accor SA shares are listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (ISIN: FR0000120404) and traded in the United States on the OTC market (Ticker: ACRFY).

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