MINTEL has reported that Brits spent £120 million on cycling holidays in 2006.
In total, peddle-happy holidaymakers from the UK took 450,000 bike holidays, with some operators reporting as much as a 30 per cent increase in sales.
However, the research also suggested that even more Brits could be cycling while on a domestic holiday. Indeed, MINTEL estimated that a further 2.25 million holidays taken in the country last year included some kind of cycling adventure.
"Britain is becoming a nation of cycling enthusiasts. Cycling has been given a new lease of life by recent environmental issues, such as sustainable transport, carbon emissions and eco travel," explained Richard Cope, senior travel consultant at MINTEL.
"An increased interest in health and fitness and this year's Tour de France will also help keep the nation pedalling."
Mr Cope also suggested that the cycle holiday renaissance could have been caused by well-travelled Brits wanting something more than a couple of weeks in the sun from their holidays.
He concluded: "The growth of independent travel is creating a new breed of holidaymaker, who is resourceful, adventurous and hungry for a taste of authenticity away from the crowds."
Airport Hotels - Stay the night before your flight and relax in one of our 140 Airport Hotels. Pre-book with Holiday Extras and save up to 45 per cent.
Options
Related Articles
Road closure at Manchester airport - 10/03/2026
The main road to Terminals 1 and 3 at Manchester airport is being closed from 15 February until 3 March because of improvements to Manchester airport station.New hotel opens in Las Vegas - 18/12/2024
A new hotel, the Palazzo Las Vegas, has opened on the Las Vegas Strip, the first hotel to open there in almost three years.Top summer holiday hotspots named | Spain and France most popular with Brits - 13/12/2024
Travel insurance company Mondial Assistance has produced a new survey showing the most popular summer holiday destinations for Europeans.
The News Team
(Tony Hill and Helen Gillilan)
