Holidaymakers get Healthy on Sporting Breaks

Travellers are getting healthy on holiday by taking advantage of sporting breaks, says one industry expert.

According to the Association of Independent Tour Operators (Aito), the greater range of sports-related holidays on offer reflects holidaymakers' growing interest in keeping fit while they are relaxing from the stresses of everyday life.

Derek Moore, chairman of the Aito, said: "There's a huge range of activity-based [Holidays], 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."

He added that nowadays people are "much more aware of health issues" and concerns over the effects that "sedentary daily lives" can have, in terms of heart and stroke problems in later life.

Other types of sporting holidays highlighted by Mr Moore include golf, tennis, canoeing, cycling, walking and sailing.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics in 2008 revealed that the number of Brits taking part in sport regularly is on the up.

What is more, 21 per cent of adults regularly take part in sport and active recreation, which is defined as participating in a minimum of 30 minutes of activity that is at least moderately intense.

Travel Industry News posted on 21/04/2008 08:11:18