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Virgin enters adventure territory
Virgin Holidays claims to be bringing adventure holidays into the mainstream travel arena with a new programme.
The operator says it has developed a “new concept” in adventure holidays where mini adventures and experiences are sandwiched between two parts of mainstream beach or city-break holidays.
The 115-page Taste of Adventure brochure offers destinations including the US and Canada, Caribbean & Latin America, the Far East and Indian Ocean, as well as Africa and Mauritius. More than 500 tailor-made options are featured as well as suggested itineraries.
Prices start at £779 per adult for 10 nights in Florida based in Miami including a three-night Everglades adventure, including car hire and Virgin scheduled flights.
The programme has been created following customer research which showed that, although people want to try something different on holiday, most are unwilling to make the commitment to book a full-blown adventure holiday.
The research identified a growing trend for soft-adventure holidays, specifically amongst families with teenage children and those aged over 50.
“They may be worried about their fitness levels, unsure they will enjoy the new experience, or simply unwilling to sacrifice their one opportunity a year to really relax,” a Virgin spokesman said.
Most of the adventures are easy and do not require high levels of fitness or any particular skill, according to the operator
Examples include: elephant training in northern Thailand, white water rafting through the Grand Canyon or learning to be a safari ranger in South Africa.
Virgin Holidays managing director Amanda Wills said: “We spent a long time researching what our customers wanted from their holiday and how holiday trends are changing and we really feel we are bringing a new concept to the world of holidays.
“You don’t have to be fit or terribly intrepid to try one of these holidays and we’re very excited to have developed something accessible to everyone and aspirational to all.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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