Brits 'becoming more adventurous abroad'

British holidaymakers are becoming increasingly adventurous in the pursuits and activities they choose to take part in, according to research.

A survey by insurance company esure found that a quarter of Brits choose their holiday destination based on the availability of challenging sports and pastimes such as water-skiing, white-water rafting and bungee jumping.

The poll found that the most popular activities of all are off-road mountain biking, which 13 per cent of respondents had already taken part in or plan to do this year, scuba diving (11 per cent) and jet-skiing (ten per cent).

Nearly one in ten respondents said that the only reason they tried these types of activities was due to pressure from their families or friends, while a fifth said they wanted a good story to tell back home.

Mike Pickard of esure said: "Brits want more from their holidays nowadays and appear to be swapping the sun lounger for the bungee cord.

"It's not where they've been on holiday but what they've done that seems to be important."

Some of the most popular locations for adventurous sports and activities are long-haul destinations, such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

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