The meaning of life - packing!

PING! Email arrives revealing the latest cutting edge research from online travel giant Lastminute.com.

It appears travel director John Bevan and co have been busy discovering crucial information about the personalities of consumers, based on the way they pack for their jaunts around the globe.

“Packing for your holiday is now just as important as choosing the right location, judging by our findings,” says Bevan.

“This knowledge can be used to work out whether you are in good company, especially if it’s with people you’ve never been away with before.”

Urging people to “think twice about what they pack for their trip to avoid sending out the wrong messages”, Lastminute.com has outlined six Packing Profiles in conjunction with ITV1's Love Island psychologist, Honey Langcaster-James:

The Kitchen-Sink Packer: Anxious, cautious, worrier, control freak, considerate (maybe needy)

The Minimalist: Laid back, down-to-earth, chilled, confident, self-assured, calm, relaxed

The Planner: Reliable, steadfast, self-controlled, perfectionist, committed, predictable, controlling

The SAS Survivalist: Adventurous, authoritative, responsible, serious

The Last Minute Packer: Fun, challenging, young-at-heart, unreliable

The Diva: Glamorous, flirtatious, choosy, high-maintenance, possibly anxious and insecure

Interesting – but unfortunately Bevan has not revealed his own Packer Profile or that of other leading figures in the Lastminute.com empire. Shame!

Kevin May, editor, Travolution