Smart Traveller

Why have activity holidays become so popular in recent years?

Gone are the days when holidays consisted of lying on the beach or having a mosey round the local sights. Now, people want more thrills and more excitement… That’s where activity holidays come in.

With hundreds of activities and niche holidays available now, many people are taking the plunge into something new. They’re making the most of their time off with a thrill-a-minute vacation. Given that there are so many wonderful sights across the world to see, it’s no wonder activity holidays have become so popular.

What exactly has caused the rise in popularity?

There are many reasons for this rise in demand… The first is that people are so busy at work these days and under so much pressure that they want to squeeze every ounce of excitement out of their vacations. Many people only get a few days’ holiday each year and would rather spend it doing something thrilling, rather than lying about all day – which they could easily do at home.

The fact that there are so many intriguing activities for travellers to partake in has helped, too. From mountain biking and surfing to sandboarding, snorkelling, kayaking, hiking and white water rafting, there pretty much is something to suit everyone’s tastes. It’s becoming harder and harder to resist the lure of these activities; plus, learning a new skill is a great life experience and it puts people in a good position to boast even more about their holidays come home time!

The world’s ever-increasing commitment to living a healthy lifestyle has also played a part. More people want to live clean, healthy lives – even whilst on holiday – so combining a period of relaxation with some exercise (albeit of a slightly more exciting variety) has become a great temptation.

Lastly, the rising trend for DIY holidays has boosted the demand for activity holidays. Instead of heading to a travel agent and having them pre-choose their activities, more people are taking the do-it-yourself route; finding the activities they as an individual are interested in.

Are they just for sporty people?

Not at all – quite the opposite. Many different demographics are heading into activity holiday territory these days. Sure, naturally sporty people will typically enjoy them, but they’re becoming a huge draw for families, too. They can help children become more skilled, learn how to work together and bond with their parents. Activity holidays are perfectly safe and suitable for most youngsters. As long as safety is kept in mind, and holiday insurance is purchased, it’s easy for everyone to have fun in a secure environment (for insurance see Columbus Direct).

Those heading off on hen and stag parties are becoming more interested in adventure holidays too. It’s a great way for the entire bridal party to bond and provides a different kind of experience to the traditional boozy weekend. They’re becoming a firm favourite with students, too, whether the holiday forms part of a wider gap year or a one-off trip – perhaps before graduation. These holidays allow students to see parts of the world that were previously a mystery. Plus, the skills and life experience gained from these trips looks great on their CVs, too, potentially improving their future career prospects.

Older people hoping to see what the world has to offer are enjoying activity holidays as well. Many older people are fitter and healthier than those from previous generations. Plus, if they’ve saved well, they will have the disposable income needed to facilitate such trips.

It isn’t just groups heading off on these breaks, either. Solo travellers can easily take an adventure holiday – although they may be best off joining a group of like-minded individuals, so they have someone to share the experience with.

All in all, there are many factors behind the rising popularity of activity-based holidays… Although they won’t be for everyone, they are certainly becoming more popular and demand for them doesn’t look set to drop any time soon.