How to Make Friends on Holiday

Staying at a small hotel during a holiday can provide more opportunities to make friends.

Taking a holiday doesn't need to be a lonely time. Taking a holiday can provide travelers with a chance meet new people in a fresh environment and possibly lead to ongoing friendships. It might feel awkward at first to approach people you don't know when on holiday, but perseverance and willingness to go outside of your comfort zone could pay off. Not only will you have the enjoyment of being on holiday, but you may make a few new friends in the process.

Instructions

1. Sign up for group activities. It is easier to meet people during a group activity than an individual event. Group activities can be planned in advance to trip or on the spur of the moment at certain holiday destinations. People can find out about group activities during the planning process by finding a tourism dedicated website. While on holiday, people can find out about group activities by asking front desk hotel staff or other patrons at the hotel. Group activities could include a tour of a popular or unique tourist destination or an activity such as a scuba diving venture.

2. Stay in a small hotel, travel journalist Jennifer Cox suggests. She says it is harder to interact with people at higher end hotels because people spend more time in their hotel room than intermingling with other guests. A hotel common area, pool or on-site entertainment venues, such as a lounge or breakfast buffet, may be good areas to approach others who are using the accommodation to relax during their holiday. Ask other tourists about hotel information, weather or where they are traveling from. Smaller hotels offer patrons the opportunity to see the same individuals on a regular basis, which creates a greater chance for recognizing one another and striking up more than one conversation. Hotels considered to be romantic destinations may limit the amount of interaction with others.

3. Seek out other tourists. Whether you are pool side, at the hotel or checking out the sites, try striking up a conversation with other tourists on holiday. Cox suggests one of the easiest ways to talk to a new person is to ask advice or for help. For example, "I'm on vacation and I'm trying to find a good lunch spot. Is there anywhere nearby you can suggest?"

Tips & Warnings

• Never meet with someone outside of a public location or accept a ride from strangers.

References

• Match.com: How to have a great vacation