Divorce getaways are being embraced as a positive way to process break ups and embark on a journey of self-discovery in exciting locations.

The concept of divorce parties has gained significant traction in recent years, with parting ways the second most popular life event to celebrate, says Etsy.

Now, a luxury travel expert reveals that divorcees are taking their celebrations a step further by turning them into full-fledged holidays abroad, dubbed “divorce getaways.”

James Mannings, CEO and co-founder of luxury holiday rental provider Top Villas, has noticed this trend first hand. “As opposed to a one-day event, groups are now wanting to turn it up a notch when it comes to marking the occasion of their divorces by lengthening the celebrations for as long as possible in destinations around the world,” he explains.

The popularity of divorce-related celebrations is evident in recent data. Etsy reported a 266% increase in searches for “divorce party items” in June this year, while Moonpig shared that divorce parties were the second most popular life event to celebrate, after getting a dog.

As reported by Marie Claire, Etsy Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson notes that marking milestone events can bring comfort; “life after a big breakup can be seen as something to celebrate and look forward to, and we’re clearly seeing a rise of these attitudes,” she says.

Google search data analysed in August showed a nearly 70% rise in searches for “divorce parties” worldwide over the past two years.

Mannings notes that these divorce getaways are predominantly booked by female groups, with roughly 80% of such bookings made with a female divorcee.

Popular destinations include the Gulf Coast in Florida and Caribbean hotspots like Barbados and Turks and Caicos.

“Ultra-luxury destinations offer tailored and personalisable experiences to guests, which is likely why they’re proving to be most popular amongst divorce getaway groups, who’ll want to celebrate in their own way to feel empowered and well attended to,” says Mannings.

The rise in divorce getaways coincides with an increase in divorce rates. In the UK, data shows 113,505 divorces were granted in England and Wales in 2021, a 9.6% jump compared to 2020 figures.

In America, more couples are divorcing after age 50 than ever before research shows, although divorces remain more common among those under 50.

Top Villas recommends several destinations for divorce getaways, each catering to different preferences. Florida, USA, is suggested for nightlife and new experiences; Turks and Caicos for self-care and beach relaxation; Italy for culture and class; and Costa Rica for those seeking to connect with nature and wildlife.

by Olivia Palamountain | GLOBETRENDER