The year of wanderlove

“There a lot of options if you know how to look,” says 37-year-old finance worker Sarah Mason, as her fingers circle over a city thousands of kilometres away from Hong Kong. She zooms in on an array of smiling faces and toned physiques, and begins swiping through the profiles of men half a world away.

“A friend swears she once talked to a scientist in Antarctica,” she says with a laugh.

Mason is one of a growing number of single people unfazed by the idea of boarding a plane for a date, a trend the dating app industry has dubbed “wanderlove” – combining the excitement of travel with the thrill of romance.

Currently, Mason is chatting over three dating apps with several men in Asia, two in Europe, and one in Sydney. “With travel back after the pandemic, the possibilities are great for travelling singles,” she says. “Even if you’re only visiting a place for a few days, why not see if there’s anyone worth meeting?”

Dating nomads

In addition to pushing many into remote work, the pandemic saw more people heading to online dating websites and apps – taken together, it’s started to affect people’s approach to dating.

A November 2022 survey by dating app Bumble found that one in three of its users are now more open to travel and relationships with people not in their current city, and are looking for what Bumble spokesperson Lucille McCart calls an “Eat, Date, Love moment”.

“Post-pandemic work from home flexibility means that one in eight people on Bumble has explored the idea of becoming a digital nomad, opening up how we think about who and where we date,” she says.

For knowledge worker Chris Gray, moving to Bali on a remote work visa late last year transformed his life professionally and romantically. Gray had previously visited Bali several times and found the dating scene refreshing compared to the more corporate Hong Kong pool.

“Dating people who live abroad is a great way to explore a new city or country,” he says. “It’s one of the best ways to discover a place – particularly bars and restaurants.”

Travel is now the number one listed interest among Tinder users, says Tinder’s head of Asia- Pacific communications Papri Dev. “Tinder members have embraced wanderlove: some have relocated to be together, and some have even started families.”

Going the distance

But when a one-off date turns into something more serious, dating across time zones and borders presents unique challenges for long distance couples. Throw in a global pandemic and border closures and any relationship will feel the strain.

Yet couples who have survived these ordeals reveal how resilient long-distance love can be. Stefan Fisse, 40, and Timo Chiu, 39, met on an app five years ago while travelling. They now divide their time between Singapore, where Fisse works in the freight industry, and finance worker Chiu’s home in Hong Kong.

“We met through Tinder then went on a date a couple of weeks later. I went to Hong Kong for my next work trip, and romance blossomed,” says Fisse.

They initially saw each other twice a month, taking turns commuting between Singapore and Hong Kong, and things worked well – but then COVID hit. “This was tough, obviously – we didn’t see each other for over a year,” says Fisse. “We managed to ‘escape’ once and met up in Germany.”

“We both love travelling and have been on countless trips,” he adds. “Fortunately, I get to travel a lot for work and can combine work and leisure.”

Fisse says while there are drawbacks to long- distance dating, such as when one partner has to move for work or the realities of travel costs, they are overshadowed by the benefits. 

“We recently met in Sydney and spent a glorious three weeks together – one week for work, then some time off. The timing was perfect, as it was during World Pride. We even got to join the Gay Games Hong Kong float in the Mardi Gras parade,” he says.

Another couple making long-distance work is 41-year-old Melody Munson from Hong Kong and her 43-year-old husband Devin Munson, who lives and works in the US.

Their dynamic pushes them to travel and experience more of the world than they might have otherwise.

“Before the pandemic, we visited the Philippines every year, or he’d come to Hong Kong, and we’d travel to nearby cities like Macao,” Melody says.

“Long-distance is not a hindrance as long as both of you keep the love alive.”

Barriers to love

First dates, like holidays, require some planning even if you intend to date casually: this can mean the difference between finding a potential partner and adventure, or a disastrous evening on an already too-short trip. Research into different customs and a language primer or two can go a long way, but an awareness of safety is essential.

Most dating apps offer translation features to overcome language difficulties and safety tips for travelling. “Meeting new people is exciting, but travellers should always be cautious when interacting with someone they don’t know,” says Tinder’s Dev. She urges travellers to use their best judgment: always meet in public, be careful sharing personal information and don’t leave personal items unattended.

Despite the challenges, many report overwhelmingly positive experiences dating abroad – especially in a post pandemic world. “The cultural differences and even the language barriers are a wonderful part of the experience,” says Chris Gray. “If you consider that a burden, you may as well stay at home.”

The combination of travel, flexible work and technology that wanderlove offers has created endless possibilities to connect and fundamentally changed dating for wanderlove enthusiasts like Sarah Mason.

“I can’t imagine dating in just one city now,” she says. ”Why limit yourself?”

*Some names have been changed.

The wanderlove list

Munich

Just south of Munich, there are boutique hotels with access to the mountains. You’ll have a romantic experience regardless of the season: whether you’re on a summer hike or cuddling in front of a fireplace as it snows outside. – Stefan Fisse

Rome

I love Rome in the autumn. My ideal romantic experience involves an espresso and a walk through the Villa Borghese gardens, pasta and lots of wine for lunch near the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, then exploring the Roman Forum at sunset before dinner on the Via Veneto, where La Dolce Vita is set. – Sarah Mason

Thailand

Southwest of Bangkok, I like to start in Hua Hin then keep going through to Pran Buri. It’s quiet but not too remote, and there are beautiful spots where jungle and coast blend. Perfect for long drives and sunset margaritas. – Chris Gray

Macao

I love to share a gelato with my loved one by the water. Macao offers many sights and romantic experiences. It was during a trip there that my husband helped me to overcome my fear of heights at the Macau Tower. – Melody Munson