While the travel industry bemoans the effects ever-spiralling, cost fuel-related surcharges continue to have on its overall  business, it doesn’t appear to be having too much impact on the lucrative ‘time-poor/cash rich’ couples market according to a survey released this week by Holidays For Couples magazine.

The Holidays For Couples reader survey, the first conducted by the publication in two years, shows the couples market – both domestically and overseas – is booming.

This is a factor Holidays For Couples  Editor-in-chief  Rhonda Bannister said was despite the ‘time poor/cash rich’ environment many people find themselves living in today.

According to the Holidays For Couples survey, while 90 per cent of all couples ensure they have at least one annual holiday, a massive 76 per cent of all readers polled indicated they now take at least two holidays with each holiday being at least one week in duration.

The survey also showed a hugely increased 82 per cent of readers take two or more weekends away each year and 33 per cent of all respondents now enjoy as many as five extended weekends away every year, a factor Ms Bannister said was a “true sign of today's busy times.”

“Close on 85 per cent of couples polled choose to be child free or fall into the pre or post-family demographic – meaning they have not yet started having children or they have become ‘empty nesters’ - which obviously makes them more immune to the pressures facing the family market,” she said.

Ms Bannister also pointed to the increased numbers of couples looking to combine a ‘soft adventure’ or ‘eco’ travel experience with a luxury element.

“The market has definitely changed over the last few years with more than 30 per cent of couples seeking information on adventure/eco-combined luxury-based travel,” she said.

“Close on 40 per cent indicated they were looking to combine a cultural experience with a first-class travel itinerary. "

“Prime examples of these include tiger safaris combining luxury Aman Resorts in India and staying in first-class lodges while skiing in famous Sun Valley, Idaho, a magnet for the international jet set.*

“Having said that, tropical escapes and island holidays, traditionally perceived as being the most popular choice for travelling pairs, continue to dominate the couples' landscape with more than 70 per cent indicating this type of vacation as their major preference,” she said.

*Both the Indian tiger safaris and Sun Valley will feature in the 'new look' October edition of Holidays For Couples which comes out on 06 October 2008.

For more information visit www.holidaysforcouples.com.au.