Sun, Sea and Separation

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More than 13 million Brits have booked a holiday to save a floundering relationship, although only one in five (21 per cent) managed to reconcile their differences while away, according to new research by Sheilas’ Wheels travel insurance[1]. 

In response to this research, Sheilas’ Wheels has teamed up with relationship experts Relate[2], to trial a holiday heartbreak hotline for Sheilas’ Wheels’ travel insurance customers this summer. A number of Sheilas’ Wheels’ customers will be given the opportunity to phone a Relate counsellor for break-up advice, should they be left heartbroken in the sun, and will be covered for the cost of the phone call and counselling session[3].

According to the poll, 41 per cent of Brits admit to having broken up with a partner while on a holiday, with a third (31 per cent) of heartbroken holiday-goers blaming existing problems, growing apart (17 per cent) and alcohol-fuelled arguments (12 per cent) for the break-up.

However, despite this, more than a third of Brits (39 per cent) claimed that they adopted a stiff upper lip by staying with their partners for the rest of the holiday, while more than one in ten (11 per cent) believed they would be better off spending the rest of the holiday alone.

The research also revealed that for almost one third of Brits (32 per cent), arguments between couples on holiday are predominantly caused by wanting to do different things from each other.  Irritating habits were highlighted by a quarter of Brits (24 per cent) as being another major catalyst for holiday hysteria.

Having to put up with bad weather while away (26 per cent), and worrying about spending too much money (35 per cent), were highlighted as other reasons for problems in paradise.

Jacky Brown, spokeswoman for Sheilas’ Wheels travel insurance, said: “The research shows that more than one in five couples have booked a holiday to save a relationship but that this often leads to a further break down in the relationship, due to existing stresses being exacerbated by being confined to close quarters while on holiday.

“Sheilas’ Wheels has teamed up with Relate for a trial to provide counselling to customers who need someone to talk to in the aftermath of a break-up while on holiday, so that  they do not have to feel alone.  Breaking up with a partner is so difficult, emotionally – especially if you are away from your family and friends – that speaking to somebody who is removed from the circumstances can often help to bring clarity to the situation.  We would encourage anybody who suffers a break-up this summer to speak to a Relate counsellor, before making any rash decisions.”

Lin Griffiths, counsellor at Relate commented: “Many couples expect that a holiday will reignite their love but, instead, holidays can sometimes highlight issues which already exist in a relationship, in turn, leading to more arguments.  Couples need to assess whether booking a holiday is the answer to resolving the problems in their relationship, before making a snap judgement and rushing towards sun, sea and separation.”

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Notes to Editors:

  1. Sheilas’ Wheels used the independent online research company, One Poll in June 2010, to survey 2,000 people from across the country aged 18 and over.  Sheilas’ Wheels travel insurance is arranged and administered by esure Services Limited on behalf of the insurer, Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC.
  2. Relate is the UK’s largest provider of relationship counselling
  3. The Relate offer will be open to everybody who takes out a Sheilas’ Wheels travel insurance policy from 17th July to 31st August 2010. Customers who break up with their partners while on holiday can call Relate on 0300 100 1234 and ask to be referred to a counsellor. The counsellor will call back the customer at a convenient time and will charge 45 pounds for an hour-long session. Customers will pay the 45 pounds fee up-front, but will be able to recoup this money by calling the Sheilas’ Wheels press office on 01737 641305 on their return to the UK. They will also be able to claim for the cost of the calls to Relate. Up to 25 Sheilas’ Wheels travel insurance customers are eligible for a free counselling session as part of this trial offer.

About Relate:
For further press information contact Mel Merritt Press Officer Relate 020 7554 2892 /07971 869735 / mel.merritt@relate.org.uk
Relate is the UK’s largest provider of relationship counselling. The charity supports 150,000 people each year providing couple counselling, family counselling, counselling for young people, online counselling, sex therapy and relationship skills workshops. For more information visit www.relate.org.uk, or visit the new site at www.relateforparents.org.uk.