Extreme sports high on travellers holiday plans: Survey

A taste for adventure seems to be riding high for vacationers in the country this summer, with 61 per cent of those surveyed by an online travel portal willing to participate in extreme sports as compared to 47 per cent last year.
Hot air ballooning, safaris, scuba diving, paragliding and other extreme sports are a few of the adventure activities that holiday goers want to experiment with in the coming few months, according to a recent survey by TripAdvisor.
59 per cent people surveyed said they indulged in such activities for gaining varied experiences in life, while 32 per cent like the thrill, excitement and sense of risk attached to it. A total of 31 per cent said they felt such sports gave them a sense of achievement and accomplishment.

Goa retained top spot second year in a row as favourite destination for adventure sports in India while Australia, New Zealand and Thailand remained top five favourite international destinations for adventure sports this year as well.
The survey noted that 79 per cent respondents felt that the safety measures employed by Indian operators are not at par with their international counterparts.
46 per cent of respondents preferred to undertake adventure activities at international destinations managed by foreign operators.

"It is disheartening that majority of the respondents do not consider India safe enough to undertake adventure activities. However, what is encouraging is the upward trend of increasing number of Indians wanting to participate in extreme sports," Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India said.

The survey listed US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Thailand as top international destinations in 2014.
"While Indians are considered price sensitive travellers, yet majority of respondents (59 per cent) said they will not go in for cheap trips being offered these days by the tour operators," the survey noted.
While domestic travellers have begun looking at adventure sports, yet, high cost attached to certain sports like those of high altitude trekking etc "force 58 per cent people to change their mind from undertaking them," the survey said.
Further, while 62 per cent respondents felt they are physically prepared to participate in an adventure activity or extreme sport, 40 per cent said they undergo a fitness routine when planning to engage in a strenuous physical adventure activity or extreme sport on holiday.

When given an option about 69 per cent said they were most comfortable taking trips with their friends, followed by 40 per cent of the respondents who preferred spouses.
The survey, in its second year conducted from April 11 to April 15 this year and included a total 1034 participants.