Manchester has been named the UK’s third Summer Romance Capital, with new research revealing residents are among the nation’s most likely to enjoy a holiday fling and increasingly allow romance to influence how they travel.
Research from Superdrug Online Doctor found that 59% of Manchester residents have had a casual sexual encounter while on holiday abroad. More than half (53%) have also had a casual encounter during a UK staycation, while 33% have hooked up with someone at a music festival.
Together, these findings give Manchester the third-highest overall “summer romance” score in the UK, behind only London and Liverpool.
The findings suggest Manchester’s holidaymakers aren’t simply stumbling into romance. Many are actively seeking it out and reshaping their travel plans when they make a connection.
Around 33% of Manchester residents have used a dating app specifically to meet people while travelling. Meanwhile, more than a third (37%) admit they’ve extended a trip, changed accommodation or altered their travel plans because of a romantic or sexual connection made while away.
For some, the possibility of a hook-up is part of the motivation for travelling. More than one in five Manchester residents (22%) say they have travelled abroad specifically for casual sex or a hook-up—the second-highest proportion of any city surveyed.
And unlike the stereotypical holiday fling that ends at the airport, many connections continue long after the suitcase has been unpacked. Among Manchester residents who have had a casual encounter while away, 66% stayed in contact after returning home, while 38% admitted staying in touch with someone from a holiday hook-up despite already being in a relationship.
The findings form part of Superdrug Online Doctor’s new STIs To Go report, which surveyed more than 2,000 sexually active UK adults to explore how travel, festivals and holidays influence sexual behaviour and sexual health.
While holiday romances are becoming increasingly common, the wider research also highlights a worrying gap in safer sex practices.
Nationally:
44% of adults have had unprotected sex while away on holiday.
Only 40% have taken an STI test after a holiday hook-up.
Nearly one in five avoided getting tested despite worrying they may have contracted an STI.
Around four in ten don’t pack condoms before travelling.
Dr Babak Ashrafi, GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, shares the five surprising health benefits of a summer fling:
1. Physical touch can lower stress levels
One of the reasons holiday romances can make us feel recharged is because physical affection, whether that’s holding hands, hugging, kissing or sex, triggers the release of oxytocin, often called the ‘bonding hormone’. This helps lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, leaving many people feeling calmer and more relaxed. Combined with the slower pace of a holiday, it’s a powerful recipe for unwinding.
2. Holiday romance could help you sleep better
Similarly to the above, after intimacy, particularly when we’re feeling emotionally connected and relaxed, the body releases hormones, including oxytocin and prolactin, which help us wind down and prepare for sleep. Many people find they sleep more deeply after intimacy, making quality sleep one of the lesser-known physical benefits of a holiday romance.
3. The holiday glow isn’t always just the sunshine
People often return from holiday with what we call a ‘holiday glow’, and it’s not always down to the sunshine. Better sleep, reduced stress and the feel-good hormones released during a positive romantic experience can all contribute to healthier-looking skin by reducing inflammation and supporting your skin’s natural repair processes.
4. New attractions give your brain a natural chemical boost
Meeting someone new is exciting, and that excitement triggers a surge of chemicals, including dopamine. Together, these help create feelings of pleasure, motivation and connection, which is why a summer fling can leave you feeling energised, uplifted and happier long after the holiday has ended.
5. Summer flings naturally encourage a more active lifestyle
Holiday romances often revolve around experiences rather than routines. Whether it’s exploring a new city together, swimming in the sea, dancing until late or walking instead of driving, a summer fling can naturally increase your daily movement without it feeling like exercise, helping you stay active while making memories.