Active holidays 'reflect health consciousness'
21 April 2008The widening range of activity and sports holidays that are now available reflects an increasing awareness of health issues in Britain, an industry expert has claimed.
According to Derek Moore, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, modern society is more conscious of the fact that a sedentary lifestyle heightens the likelihood of health problems in later life.
Holidaymakers are consequently showing an interest in trips that include active pursuits, such as sports, hiking and adventure tours.
"There's a huge range of activity-based holidays - from just north of couch potato, such as cycling in the relatively flat Loire Valley, to seriously hairy-legged options such as climbing Kilimanjaro's 19,340 feet or tackling Everest base camp," Mr Moore said.
"We don't necessarily wish to sit on a beach sunning ourselves for 14 days in the 21st century."
According to a recent social trends survey by the Office for National Statistics, the number of Brits regularly taking part in sport is on the increase and a quarter of adults currently belong to a sports club.
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