YOUNG MEN ARE the most unlucky when it comes to holidays: they are the most likely to get sick or injured, lose their passports or miss a flight, according to a survey.

Almost one in four men aged between 17 and 24 have had to get medical attention while on holiday, while the same group were four times more likely to lose their passport than women in the same age group.

However, they’re not the only ones to have problems: almost one third of people aged over 65 have had belongings – most often handbags, purses or wallets – stolen or lost on holidays. In comparison, young people were most likely to lose their mobile phone or have it stolen.

“Perhaps age is a factor,” said Conor Faughnan of AA Ireland, which carried out the survey. “Those aged 17 to 24 have grown up with mobile phones being commonplace. Older generations consider mobiles to be a luxury and they are more valued.”

The survey found 11 per cent of people have experienced the self-inflicted frustration of missing a flight, with 25-35 year olds the most likely to miss one.

More than 28 per cent of people polled said their luggage had been lost or delayed while on holidays.

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