Gen Z and Millennials Say Travel and Hobbies Rank High as Relationship Starters in Lieu of Social Media and Dating Apps, According to New Survey by EF Ultimate Break

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BOSTON, Feb. 01, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Wishing you'd swiped left instead of right? With Valentine's, Galentine's and #SingleAwarenessDay looming, EF Ultimate Break, a leader in all-inclusive group travel for ages 18-29, asked Millennials and Gen Zers their top picks on how to make friends and find love. . . the old fashioned way, without technology.

As expected, the local bar scene is still a top choice, but it looks like hook-ups are losing ground to longer-lasting experiences and relationships. But interestingly, "finding a new hobby" and "booking a trip" round out the top three choices. It turns out that 18-29-year-olds who pick up a hobby like rock climbing and/or hit the road to explore may be doing so for more than the obvious recreational benefits.

In a largely digital world, IRL (in real life) experiences brought on by travel or hobbies serve as an easy "ice breaker" and create natural, authentic opportunities for young people with similar interests to find and connect with each other. And unlike an awkward Valentine's Day Tinder date, the benefits from these experiences tend to last a long time!

"At EF Ultimate Break, we're seeing a new, more social trend to travel. More than 60 percent of the 18-29-year olds who book with us do so solo often with hopes of making new friends," says Michelle McNeice, VP, Marketing. "Group travel gives them the rare opportunity to hang out in a new country with likeminded, equally passionate, wanderlusting individuals. Our trips are designed to be fun, super engaging, and stress-free making it easy to connect in real life."

An internal consumer survey of more than 860 EF Ultimate Break travelers revealed 80% travel for adventure with one out of five (19%) also choosing to travel to make new friends.

One "relationship starter," however, is still a big no no: moms need to lay low. More than 96 percent say "no-way" to parent matchmaking! Both sexes view trips to the bar and travel almost equally, though women are more likely—by five percentage points—to seek out a new hobby.

For more information about the benefits of solo travel on group tours with EF Ultimate Break, click here.

Pick Your Destination. Book Your Departure. EF Ultimate Break Does the Rest!
EF Ultimate Break experiences include flights, accommodations, airport transfers, meals, Insta-worthy experiences, a 24-7 tour director, and a social group environment to make lifelong connections. With only $150 down, travelers 18-29 years old can reserve a spot on one of EF Ultimate Break's life changing tours. In addition, EF Ultimate Break offers interest-free payment options meaning Millennials and GenZers can book now and pay on a schedule leading up to departure —making travel in your twenties financially attainable.

Data from a January 2019 Google online consumer survey of 1,500 men and women ages 18-34 and internal post travel survey from December 2018. Raw data available upon request. Visit http://www.efultimatebreak.com for more information and to see all available trips.

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About EF Ultimate Break
EF Ultimate Break is the best way to experience the world for anyone 18-29. With 65+ trips, everything from airfare and accommodations to interest-free payment plans and daily breakfasts are included. As a proud part of EF Education First, EF Ultimate Break draws on over 50 years of EF expertise to add amazing travel experiences to its growing tour portfolio. EF, the world leader in international education, has helped more than 15 million people learn a language, discover the world or earn an academic degree to date. EF is the first international education company to collaborate with World Animal Protection to ensure travel programs are wildlife friendly and avoid attractions inconsistent with animal welfare policies.

SOURCE EF Ultimate Break