More than one million Brits will head overseas for stag and hen parties this year. The favourite city for boys looking to emulate the movie The Hangover (above) is Prague and for girls.. “no carbs before marbs” Marbella!
Going abroad to celebrate is most popular with 25 to 34-year-olds and 60 per cent of those are boys. More girls tend to hold their hen parties at home and London is the No1 choice. Of the boys, it is Newcastle where you get more pints for your money!
According to a survey by travel association ABTAmembers, reality TV shows influence destination choices – such as Newcastle, home to Geordie Shore and Marbella where The Only Way Is Essex gang have been filmed.
Top destinations for Stags and Hens
| Stags UK | Stags Abroad | Hens UK | Hens Abroad |
| 1. Newcastle | 1. Prague | 1. London | 1. Marbella |
| 2. Bournemouth | 2. Barcelona | 2= Newcastle | 2. Barcelona |
| 3. Bristol | 3. Benidorm | 2= Brighton | 3. Benidorm |
| 4. Edinburgh | 4. Budapest | 4= Edinburgh | 4. Dublin |
| 5. London | 5. Riga | 4= Manchester | 5. Amsterdam |
Stags hunting south and east
For stags, Prague, renowned as a stag destination holds the top spot for overseas destinations with Barcelona, Benidorm, Budapest and Riga making up the rest of the top five. In the UK stags are heading to Newcastle, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh and London.
Spain rules the roost
Spain is the most popular destination overall for hen parties abroad with Marbella, Barcelona and Benidorm making up the top three destinations. Dublin and Amsterdam complete the top five. Dubai has also been named as a one to watch for hens, with Michelle Keegan heading there for her hen celebrations earlier this year.
London is the most popular destination for UK based hen parties and theatre trips and afternoon tea are popular activities. City breaks are a popular hen choice and Newcastle, Brighton, Edinburgh and Manchester also feature in the top five destinations.
Stags spend more, hens look for luxury on the cheap
Choice of destination is not the only difference between the sexes, according to ABTA Members, stags are more likely to spend more, go for longer and go in a larger group. Stags are also more likely to opt for basic accommodation preferring to spend their money on activities and nights out.
While hens are more cost-conscious they also look for luxury touches, tending to opt for a higher standard of accommodation than stags – and are more likely to enjoy spending time in it. In general, hens will spend more time researching their destination and activities, they are also more likely to share the celebrations with a more mixed group often including the mother of the bride and mother in law to be.
Bubble football and cocktail making top stag and hen activities
When it comes to stag and hen activities, bubble football has grown in popularity to become the most popular stag activity and whilst ABTA Members are reporting that more and more hen parties are booking more traditional stag activities such as paintballing and go-karting, cocktail making remains the most popular hen activity.
Victoria Bacon, of ABTA, said: “Stag and hen parties have grown in size and scale in recent years and we would advise anyone booking one of these important holidays to do so with a reputable provide. There is an incredible range of destinations and activities out there to suit any pre-wedding party.”
