What guests want on a holiday

According to the research, a good, free internet connection is what 47 percent 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 percent, verse 40 percent of people aged 50 to 65, perhaps because this is the age bracket that is most familiar with and dependent on technology.

Preferred travel companions obviously remain spouses, children and friends – but 19 percent of travellers nevertheless consider their favourite travel companion to be none other than themselves. For example, 25 percent of Germans, Americans and Indians surveyed said they prefer to go away on their own. 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, making connection to home more important than ever.

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

Last but not least, 38 percent 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 percent). This makes it all the more important for hotels to consider the mattresses, linen, doonas, and pillows they use in hotel rooms, ensuring they’re of the same comfort and quality that guests would experience at home – if not better.

Get to know your guests

AccorHotels spoke to Aussies about their holidays and found out:

• 76 percent of Aussies feel excited when they are preparing to go on holidays.
• Almost 40 percent of Aussies are looking for adventure and 35 percent travel to escape.
• In defiance of the Aussie stereotype, only 16 percent said 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 percent of Chinese aged 50-65 travelled.
• Aussies were some of the most romantic in the world, with almost 70 percent choosing their lover as their perfect travel companion. They also said that they would prefer to travel with their boss rather than their neighbour!
• Over 50 percent of Aussies expect their accommodation choices to deliver a home away from home experience.