Nearly a third of Brits are taking activity holidays, says survey
One in three adults in the UK are planning to take an activity holiday in the next 12 months, but 16% do not intend take out adequate travel insurance, says a survey.
According to a study by insurance provider AXA, over 200,000 UK tourists could suffer from an accident or injury while on an activity holiday this year.
Based on its findings it estimates 13.6 million people plan to go on some kind of activity or adventure-based holiday.
The most popular activities were:
– trekking and walking 9.2 million
– cycling 5.4 million
– water sports 5 million
– scuba diving 2.7 million
– horse riding and ranch holidays 2.6 million
– sailing and yachting 2.4 million
– canoeing and kayaking 2.4 million
– skiing and snowboarding 2.4 million
– high speed driving and off road 1.8 million
– flying experience holidays 1.7 million
The poll of 1,000 adults found men (33%) are more likely to opt for this type of holiday than women (26%).
Unsurprisingly, younger people are also more likely to be attracted to sporty and action-packed breaks with 44% of 18 to 24 year olds planning to go on an activity holiday this year.
However, 19% of over 65s are also planning to go on sporty getaways.
When asked about injuries incurred whilst on activity holiday over the past five years, 124,605 people claimed that they were very seriously injured, 282,904 said that they were seriously injured and over well over half a million (605,141) were slightly injured.
It found thrill seeking men are most likely not to take out insurance (20% compared to 12% of women).
Travel insurance manager Pat Brady said: “Many people are venturing away from the traditional package holiday by combining their vacation with new activities and sports.
“At AXA we are finding that many more people are choosing to build tailor-made holidays and plan adventure-orientated breaks but are not covering themselves against the added risks that come with them. I fear that people are leaving themselves vulnerable.”
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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