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UK Holidaymakers Look to Spice up their Lives
UK holidaymakers are getting more adventurous according to a new survey, which found that 1 in 5 want adventure and action rather than relaxation
• 1 in 5 holidaymakers would now opt for adventure over relaxation on their annual holiday
• Women are more adventurous than men, with nearly 1 in 4 looking for action from their annual holiday
• The most adventurous travellers come from Wales, London and the East of England
• 15% of Londoners would opt for a speed-dating holiday to add spice to their annual break, while holidaymakers from Yorkshire & Lincolnshire prefer Naturist holidays.
• 5% of all the respondents would even take a tour of lap dancing bars to help add some spice to their annual holiday
25 September 2006 – British holidaymakers are shunning the traditional bucket and spade beach holiday in favour of more adventure, according to a new survey of 1,000 people carried out over the summer by car hire company Carrentals.co.uk.
The research found that 1 in 5 now look for adventure over relaxation in their annual holiday. Women are the most adventurous with nearly 1 in 4 craving some form of action when on holiday, with the most adventurous travellers coming from Wales, London and the East of England.
When asked what they would do to add some spice to their holiday the top response was trying a new adrenalin activity such as storm chasing or diving with sharks; in second place came expanding individual skills through taking a course; followed by trying extreme sports such as base jumping or mountain boarding.
1 in 10 respondents said they would take a naturist holiday to add some spice to the annual holiday; while 6% voted to meet someone new through, for example a speed dating holiday; and 5% opted for a tour of lap dancing bars.
Richard Game, Chief Operating Officer of Carrentals.co.uk, said: “A growing number of British holidaymakers are no longer happy to spend two weeks lying on the beach. With longer working hours holiday time is increasingly precious, meaning people want to make the most of their time away.
“The survey looked at a range of activities to add some adventure to the holiday – some educational, others fun – but there was a clear message that British holidaymakers are very open to new ideas for their holiday. While there will always be a love of the beach holiday, there appears to be a growing demand for something different for people to try.”
Londoners proved their spice for life with 15% saying they would opt for a speed dating holiday, and 10% saying they would tour the local lap dancing bars. Holidaymakers in Yorkshire & Lincolnshire are most likely to take a naturist holiday, while the North West is most up for trying diving with sharks, and 1 in 4 Scots would go for the adrenalin rush of extreme sports.
When respondents were asked what they would consider doing to add more excitement or adventure to their overall lives, 57% saying they would visit somewhere they always wanted to. 23% said they would move abroad, while 10% said they would re-train for a new career and 3% said they would have an affair to add some excitement to the daily routine.