The activity holiday sector is estimated to have grown by 10% between 2000 and 2005, in line with expansion of the overall holiday market, of which activity trips comprise approaching 11%. Growth has been fostered by factors ranging from the emergence of a new, more adventurous breed of holidaymaker to the influence of the internet and expansion of the low-cost airline sector, while rising levels of disposable income have made activity breaks an option for the growing number of consumers who take more than one holiday a year.

About the market

The activity holiday sector is estimated to have grown by 10% between 2000 and 2005, in line with expansion of the overall holiday market, of which activity trips comprise approaching 11%. Growth has been fostered by factors ranging from the emergence of a new, more adventurous breed of holidaymaker to the influence of the internet and expansion of the low-cost airline sector, while rising levels of disposable income have made activity breaks an option for the growing number of consumers who take more than one holiday a year.

Seven in 10 activity holidays are taken domestically, although pre-Foot and Mouth Disease levels have only just been recovered, leaving all five-year market growth being driven by a 37% increase in the number of activity holidays taken by Britons abroad. A third of UK adults are believed to have taken an activity holiday and that 50% to be interested in doing so in future. Walking, hiking or rambling holidays are most popular in both current and future interest terms.

About Mintel’s report:

Mintel’s new market intelligence report provides the user with a fresh insight into a sports market showing considerable potential.

Compiling together the most sought-after trend data and authoritative, independent market analysis, it offers you a vital way of fully understanding sporting activities in the great outdoors. It also offers you unique findings from exclusive consumer research; invaluable information that will enable you to tailor your business to real consumer demand. Mintel’s research report has been designed to help you:

Estimate the market’s size, track the driving forces and identify the most popular activities

Understand the market in terms of overall sports participation levels

Get to grips with the market’s supply structure and leading equipment suppliers

Find out which activities consumers are most likely to have participated in over the last three years, broken down with full demographic analysis

Analyse the motivations for consumers to head for the outdoors

Discover new and fresh opportunities for targeting consumers in the outdoor sports market

Measure market forecasts and build realistic business models.