Home » News » New study highlights positive impacts of adventure travel on mental health and British travellers must do bucket list items

20 October, 2023

New study highlights positive impacts of adventure travel on mental health and British travellers must do bucket list items

Family standing on the nature with rising hands. Concept of the freedom, tourism and hiking.

Edited by Travel Weekly

Icelandair’s research team is back on the case, this time identifying the ultimate adventure bucket list items that British travellers say they MUST tick off!

Adventure activities, such as hiking (31 per cent), camping (25 per cent), and horse riding (23 per cent), have been found to be notably the most favoured by the British public.

Dr Deborah Lee, an expert in mental health spoke on the health benefits of adventure travel on wellbeing.

“There’s no doubt that holidays have both physical and mental health benefits,” she said.

“The more active the adventure, the better the physical benefits from weight loss to increased oxygen in the bloodstream.

“However, just being outdoors is known to lower your heart rate and blood pressure showing how impactful the natural world can be.

“With regard to your mental health, the hectic pace of modern life is responsible for much of the huge stress we all face today. Even though going on an adventure holiday can come with its own stress, this ‘controlled stress’ can be hugely beneficial to your mental state.

“Mastering a new skill, whether it be rock climbing or rafting, and overcoming the physical boundaries you set yourself in daily life comes with an immense sense of achievement, making it no surprise that adventure holidays are boosting Brit’s confidence.”

Of the adventurous activities, a quarter of Brits would go on a camping holiday whilst 1 in 5 would love four-wheel driving.

Boat trips can come in many shapes and sizes from whale watching to floating parties, over half of Brits would head out to sea on a boat trip when abroad.

With boating options like this at home, it’s no wonder 50% of Brits are keen to live it up at sea while abroad. (iStock – CaronB)

Almost 1 in 5 (19 per cent) would dive off the side and head down-under for a scuba dive.

The data also mirrored many of the current trends in the industry.

68 per cent of respondents said that spending time with loved ones and making memories was most important on their trip.

52 per cent said that self care and visiting new places were also high priorities.

7 in 10 Brits said they value quality time over material possessions and activities on holiday and couples said shared adventures and meaningful moments were extremely valuable.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

adventure travel British Travel Icelandair travel trends