Family beats romance for Kiwi travellers

The romance of travel, rather than travelling for romance, appears to be a greater inspiration for Kiwis to holiday abroad.

Less than one per cent of people said they were heading overseas in 2017 to spend quality time as a couple, according to a House of Travel survey.

Out of more than 12,000 people intending to travel for either romance, adventure, a family trip or to relax, just 25 listed the first option as the priority.

A family holiday (72 per cent) was the dominant reason.

"We were surprised that so few Kiwi couples are choosing to invest in quality time together in 2017," company marketing director Ken Freer says said.

"Even five years ago, travelling to reconnect as a couple was much more common than it is today."

Mr Freer said that, as travel became more accessible, particularly to destinations that were off the beaten track, more people are choosing to travel for adventure (13 per cent) or to relax and refresh (14 per cent).

- AAP