First Holiday Together Now Matters More than the First Kiss for Singapore Daters

For many Singapore couples, the first holiday together may say more about a relationship than the first kiss.

A new study by travel platform Skyscanner and dating app Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) found that 47% of Singaporeans consider travelling together for the first time their most exciting relationship milestone. This is ahead of the first kiss at 27% and holding hands for the first time at 21%.

Even more significantly, 93% of Singaporeans believe that a first trip together is a critical test of long term compatibility.

The study surveyed 1,000 Gen Z and Millennial Singapore travellers and 380 Singapore CMB daters to understand how couples approach their first trips together, including their concerns, travel preferences and expectations.

The findings come as Singapore heads into what the study calls “cuffing season”, the period leading up to the year end holidays, Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day when singles may be more open to forming new relationships.

Nearly half, or 47%, of singles surveyed said they are more open than usual to dating during this period, while 46% are planning to take a first trip with a partner or potential partner in the coming year. However, almost one in three respondents said they feel just as nervous as they are excited about taking that first trip together.

The biggest concerns are not surprisingly related to how couples travel together. Differences in travel styles ranked first at 47%, followed by disagreements during trip planning at 43%.

Travel personality also appears to influence dating decisions. Some 71.6% of Singapore CMB daters said a match’s travel personality reflects who they are as a partner, while 56.3% said a person’s travel style has influenced their interest in them, either positively or negatively.

For 90.5% of Singapore CMB daters, long term potential is demonstrated by how a couple handles friction rather than whether everything goes according to plan. This includes resolving disagreements maturely, feeling emotionally safe enough to be vulnerable in an unfamiliar environment and balancing time together with personal space.

The way couples plan the trip can also reveal potential green and red flags. Regularly checking in on a partner’s comfort level was identified as the strongest green flag. Avoiding discussions about the travel budget and dismissing a partner’s itinerary preferences were among the major red flags.

When it comes to destinations, Singapore travellers appear to favour Asian cities for their first trips together. Tokyo topped the list at 39%, followed by Seoul at 26% and Taipei at 24%. Bangkok, Bali and Shanghai were also among the top 10 choices.

Travellers are also willing to compromise on certain aspects of the trip to secure their preferred destination. Planned activities, travel budget and the length of the holiday were among the areas couples said they would be willing to adjust.

Accommodation is the expense Singapore travellers would most prioritise spending on, at 28%, ahead of activities, attractions, food and flights. Despite this, affordability remains the most important accommodation factor, with 44% looking for the best rate or deal. Proximity to sights and dining came next at 40%, followed by unique accommodation experiences at 31%.

Interestingly, 44% of Singapore travellers prefer a destination that neither partner has visited before. The idea is to discover somewhere new together and create shared memories without one person already knowing the destination better than the other.

For couples looking beyond the usual destinations, Skyscanner has highlighted five more affordable options with 4 and 5 star hotel choices. They include Kota Kinabalu, Da Nang, Yogyakarta, Xiamen and Krabi.

Hotel options listed include The Luma Hotel in Kota Kinabalu at around S$144 a night, Signature by M Village Danang Heritage at around S$74 a night, Swiss-Belboutique Yogyakarta at around S$71 a night, NOA Hotel Xiamen at around S$43 a night and Sea Seeker Krabi Resort at around S$55 a night.

Communication remains another important part of preparing for the trip. Some 74.2% of Singapore CMB daters said honest and transparent communication is what makes them feel ready to travel with someone.

Ultimately, the study suggests that a first holiday together is less about having the perfect itinerary and more about seeing how two people deal with real situations together. From splitting a budget and deciding where to eat to changing plans when something goes wrong, a few days of travelling can reveal plenty about how compatible two people really are.