If you like windsurfing, hill walking, photography, bird watching, skiing or scuba diving, enjoy running, cycling, swimming or playing tennis, then a holiday where you can indulge yourself totally in the activity of your choice is almost the perfect break. The type of holiday that caters for specialist pastimes like these is normally presented as a complete package. But package holidays are not new, in fact they have been around for many years and a significant number of tourists opt for package holidays every year.

Typically a specialist package holiday will include the basic holiday elements of out-and-back travel, resort transfers and some form of accommodation but an activity-based package holiday will also add on all kinds of other components designed to enhance the trip for the participants. One aspect that is normally considered is either the provision of equipment in the resort such as diving gear or windsurfing boards and sails, or at least travel arrangements that incorporate the transport of the required equipment out to the resort. Then the tour operator might provide more appropriate accommodation such as hotels close to the best windsurfing beaches or hotels with dedicated storage facilities for bicycles or scuba gear. Then there may be guides or tutors provided, or special catering arrangements such as early breakfasts for those who want to leave at the crack of dawn to catch sight of a rare bird species for example.

And the customisations don’t stop there. Activity breaks may be based around a certain competitive event, where the travellers either get to take part or have the opportunity to watch talented professionals compete. Runners may book an all inclusive package to a city marathon for example, that includes entry to the event itself (some of which are very hard to come by for the more popular races), pre-race preparation events such as seminars and specific meals, and then transport services to make the whole experience more enjoyable. There may be other additional features such as back-up teams to provide medical services or teams to take care of any equipment repairs. There may also be physiotherapists on hand or soigneurs to offer a soothing massage after a long day on the trails or out at sea. The possibilities are almost endless and as the activities become more unique and specialist, so the scope of these packaged breaks reaches ever wider to satisfy those that demand the best.

But package holidays are not a new invention nor are they reserved exclusively for those who like activity holidays. In fact the package holiday in its simplest form goes back several decades to the time when travel operators saw an opportunity to provide a complete stress-free set of services to their customers, rather than offering stand-alone transport and accommodation choices. In fact research from 2010 suggests that almost 15 million package holidays are taken by UK residents each year, proving that this type of holiday is still very popular.

Of course with the growth in internet travel sites, the opportunity for individuals to book separate holiday elements and combine them into a complete holiday is easier and more accessible, but that approach comes with its own potential issues that, for some, will outweigh the additional flexibility provided. It may seem adventurous to do the research and book a combination of components to make up what the individual might regard as the perfect holiday, but no-one has more experience in putting together package holidays than a reputable tour operator. What the travel company offers with a typical package holiday is a more efficient means of purchasing the individual elements of the holiday and those savings can then be passed onto the traveller. The package approach also offers a more risk-free holiday, because the providers of each part of the holiday are answerable to a travel business, not just the travelling individual and should anything go wrong or need attention, most package holiday companies have on-site representatives who are there to address any problems and make sure all their customers are enjoying their holidays.

So the future of the package holiday seems secure, given the cost advantages and peace of mind it offers. After all, 15 million people every year seem happy to agree.

Author Bio: Michael is travel journalist who has written about destinations and travel options for many years. He also reports on package holidays and other aspects of the tourism industry for trade organisations.

Category: Travel
Keywords: travel, holidays, tourism