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<\/p>\n-Nearly half of us (45%) don\u2019t go on holiday just to relax and unwind, but to become the best versions of ourselves<\/p>\n
-Trying new foods is a popular way to embrace new things (40%) and 1 in 5 of us identify as \u2018historians\u2019 on holiday \u2013 seeking out cultural experiences<\/p>\n
-But over half of us (56%) admit to slipping back into boring routines and that our \u201cbest holidays selves\u201d quickly disappear when we get home<\/p>\n
-We get into \u2018peak\u2019 holiday feeling 43 hours into a trip but on average we lose this sensation around 3.7 days after unpacking<\/p>\n
-TUI BLUE ambassador Davina McCall travelled to the Maldives to create some \u2018fly and flourish\u2019 experiences for fellow guests<\/p>\n
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29 February: <\/strong>Whilst many of us just want a \u2018fly and flop\u2019 holiday, research suggests the emergence of a new kind of traveller who wants to \u2018fly and flourish\u2019, using holiday time for cultural discovery and to become their \u2018best selves\u2019.<\/p>\n New research conducted by global hotel brand TUI BLUE*<\/strong> reveals nearly half of us (45%) don\u2019t go on holiday just to relax and unwind, but to become the best versions of ourselves.<\/p>\n Trying new foods is a popular way to challenge ourselves (49%), whilst 38% of us choose to start reading a new novel. 27% of us want to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone and a third of us decide to go to the gym to get in our best shape before we head overseas.<\/p>\n The research also identified 5 types of holidaymaker – and whilst relaxers came out as the most common (35%), 1 in 5 (17%) identified as \u2018historians\u2019 wanting to see as many historical sites as possible and learn about new cultures. Another 16% would label themselves as optimists, confident everything will go to plan as they step away from their routine. Meanwhile, some of us embrace spontaneity, happy to go with the flow (12%) and 14% of us want structure and create itineraries for their holidays.<\/p>\n Louise Bates, MD of TUI BLUE, isn\u2019t surprised by the research findings commenting: \u201cOur guests have ample opportunity to get away from daily routines and totally unwind.\u00a0 And whilst some do choose to do absolutely nothing but laze in beautiful surroundings, many more choose to create personal itineraries to suit the type of holiday maker they are. More than 100,000 people signed up a <\/em>BLUEf!t class last year, with Aqua Fit by far and away the most popular session. We\u2019ve seen an uplift in interest in the cultural experiences we offer, like cooking and language classes, and whilst parents do take full advantage of our kids clubs, with more than 170,000 children attending last year, there\u2019s also been an uplift in family wellness activities, like mindfulness classes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n To test the benefits of a \u2018fly and flourish\u2019 holiday, TUI BLUE ambassador, TV presenter Davina McCall embraced island life in The Maldives creating personal itineraries for some fellow guests.\u00a0 She sent one couple snorkelling to discover the spectacular marine life of the Indian Ocean, joined a pair of sisters to learn how to prepare Maldivian delicacies in a cooking class and teamed up with an adult family for an exercise session over the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n On her experience as holiday curator, said: <\/em><\/strong>\u201cWhen I go on holiday, I love trying something new and challenging, as well as taking time to unwind. So, I was really pleased to go behind the scenes and make holiday dreams come true.<\/em>\u00a0Seeing the joy my mates got from the activities we recommended was even better than going along with them to sample some incredible experiences. And that\u2019s saying something as I got to swim with turtles in the warm clear Indian Ocean, see dolphins up close, create and sample some sensational food and work out on a fitness platform suspended overwater.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n However, when we go home, over half of us (56%) admit to slipping back into more boring, sedentary routines and that our \u201cbest holidays selves\u201d quickly disappear.\u00a0\u00a0 And although we start really unwinding less than 48 hours into our holidays, it takes just 3.7 days after our return for our positive holiday feelings start to fade away**.<\/p>\n Davina recommends a few easy ways to bring maintain your best self when you get back from holiday: \u201cHolidays are so special because we get to unwind, relax, sometimes learn something new like a new dish and sometimes try a new type of exercise or just remember to take time out for yourself and really unwind. Sadly, somehow within five minutes of getting home we\u2019ve forgotten all those feelings and on the second day I\u2019m home I\u2019m usually saying I could go on another holiday again! So I got to thinking how can I bring my holiday into my daily life? I tried to re-create the meal I learnt to make in my cooking class, and for me I think the most important thing that I try to remember is at least once a day, create a moment of peace for me. Because it feels like such a luxury, when I\u2019m away because I don\u2019t do it enough at home. But, the best thing to do, I think, is to just get booking the next holiday so you\u2019ve got something to look forward to\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Davina was a guest at the 5 star TUI BLUE Olhuveli Romance Resort<\/a>, South Male Atoll in The Maldives in November 2023.\u00a0 TUI offers seven night holidays from \u00a32606 per person on an all inclusive basis, based on two people sharing a beachfront villa with private pool and terrace, departing London Heathrow on March 21st<\/sup>.\u00a0 Transfers and 25kg luggage per person included.<\/p>\n And has previously tested out \u2018fly and flourish\u2019 itineraries including aqua fit classes, paddleboarding and kayaking at The TUI BLUE Grand Azur in Turkey and The TUI BLUE Atlantic Aeneas Dreams in Cyprus.\u00a0\u00a0 TUI offers seven night stays at the 4.5 star TUI BLUE Grand Azur in Marmaris<\/a> from \u00a3727 per person on an all inclusive basis, based on two people sharing a double room with balcony, departing Manchester Airport on May 8th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Transfers and 25kg luggage per person included.<\/p>\n