Family Adventure Holidays

Activities Abroad forecasts a growing appetite for family activity and adventure holidays.

Family outdoors holiday company, Activities Abroad, has spotted some trends amongst its customers which demonstrate that families are likely to take more and more activity and adventure holidays. With current year enquiries more than double what they were a year ago the company reckons the desire for this kind of holiday has never been greater – something backed up by industry body, The Adventure Travel Trade Association, whose research shows the adventure travel market grew at a rate of 65 per cent between 2009-2013 and which also says the upwards curve is continuing, especially when it comes to family holidays.

Also, once bitten, families will keep coming back for more – a third of Activities Abroad clients book again the following year – and 99% of them say they would recommend the operator to a friend.

Managing Director of Activities Abroad, Ali McLean, says: “The ability to swap screen time for family time is sought by an increasing number of families booking our holidays. Parents want to get to know their children again, to see bonds between siblings strengthen and to create long-lasting memories.”

Cool Parents

Unlike holidays supposedly designed for families, but actually designed to babysit the children in Kids’ Clubs while the parents relax on their own, adventurous holidays are designed to be inclusive, in an environment where everyone is learning together. There’s an added bonus for parents too, as Mclean explains: “What better way to get to know your kids again than on a holiday packed with exciting activities designed for all the family to enjoy together? It’s interesting how kids  suddenly think their parents are pretty cool when they are sitting next to them in a white water raft in Costa Rica.”

Democratising Adventure

The rise and rise of adventurous holidays has brought costs down whilst growing operating experience on the part of holiday specialists has ensured that quality has been retained or improved. McLean says: Adventurous holidays are no longer the preserve of the daring or the wealthy. These days, dream fulfilment is possible for everyone, and people are aspiring more and more to experiences, such as swimming with dolphins in the Azores, husky mushing north of the Arctic Circle or tracking orang-utans in Borneo.”

With three years of client feedback in the bag the results are encouraging, with 99% of customers rating Activities Abroad’s holidays as excellent or very good. Having great staff to look after you while you’re away is of paramount importance too and, once again, customer feedback is unequivocal with 97% rating the company’s activity guides as excellent or very good.

A few of the most popular holidays with availability this summer.

Adventure on the Croatian Adriatic – seven nights to enjoy the coastal region around the small fishing village of Novigrad. A flexible activity format allows you to decide how many activities you would like to take part in, with hiking, biking, rafting, canoeing, and sea kayaking all on the agenda.

The price, from £798 pp, includes flights from London (regional departures also available), seven nights B&B plus three lunches and four dinners, transfers, all equipment and tuition from qualified instructors plus local representative. 

Pyrenean Family Adventure – a seven-night mountain holiday, with a range of activities to choose from, including canyoning, white-water rafting, hiking, open-kayaking, mountain biking or horse riding. A flexible holiday in a stunning setting where you choose the activities you’d like to take part in.

The price, from £840 pp includes flights from London (regional departures also available), seven nights’ B&B apartment accommodation, two lunches and two dinners, transfers, all equipment and tuition from qualified instructors.

Montenegro Active Fjord and Mountain – seven nights on this twin-centre holiday in this relatively untouched region, home to walled towns and vast dramatic mountains – like a step into the past. The activities included are a Lovćen National Park and high ropes adventure, white water rafting, orienteering, Durmitor National Park and cable car ride, sea kayaking and snorkelling – plus time on the beach.

The price, from £1,175 pp includes flights from London (regional departures also available), seven nights’ B&B plus two lunches and five dinners, transfers, all equipment and tuition from qualified instructors plus services of local representatives.

Gozo Island Explorer – a seven-night activity-filled holiday on a beautiful Mediterranean island. Everything is included and activities include a boat day, an eco-day, sea kayaking, Mini-B diving (Over 10’s only), snorkelling, climbing and abseiling.

The price, from £1,295 pp includes flights from London (regional departures also available), seven nights’ B&B plus four lunches and dinners, transfers, all equipment and tuition from qualified instructors.

The Internet opens up the world

A final word from Ali McLean on how customers’ desires have grown in line with the growth of the online world. “The internet particularly, has revealed a wealth of global experiences which can be far more fulfilling than the average beach holiday. I remember 20 years ago I didn’t even know dog sledding in Finland was possible – but now we send dozens of families north of the Arctic Circle to stay in IceHotels, to mush through snowy forests and to gaze at the Northern Lights.”

To speak to an expert for more information or to book, contact Activities Abroad on 01670 789 991 (www.activitiesabroad.com).