Sales strength continues for HF Holidays

HF Holidays, the UK's leading specialist walking and leisure activity holidays company, reports strong 2009 sales - despite the recession. In January, HF Holidays saw 13% more people book a 2009 holiday than in the same month last year.

CEO Brian Smith says this continues a trend that saw the organisation welcome 11.8% more guests on its UK holidays in 2008 than in 2007. "And we have already taken 62% of last year's total UK holiday bookings - a considerable achievement in the current market."

HF Holidays runs 17 Country Houses in the UK from which it operates walking and leisure activity holidays. It also offers a range of walking, exploration and cycling holidays in Europe and worldwide. HF Holidays is a not-for-profit organisation with an annual turnover of £19 million.

Smith believes that HF Holidays is benefiting from increased consumer interest in health and fitness; the growing popularity of walking and other leisure interests, and a trend towards enjoying the outdoors on a sociable holiday, with other people.

"Research shows that walking is the number one recreational activity in the UK with 44.5% of adults enjoying a walk of two miles or longer every month," says Smith.

The company says that a growing percentage of the population is keen to enjoy their hobbies on holiday or learn a new skill such as painting, digital photography or dancing. Cycling holidays is also an expanding area.

"We will continue to develop our range of walking, cycling and leisure activity holidays to appeal to all ages and levels of ability," says Smith, "with a mix of short breaks, self-guided trails and 'Freedom Breaks' on offer, in addition to our Classic Walking and special Leisure Activity weeks."

HF Holidays is a leading member of the Outdoor Industries Association and supports continuous research into outdoor activities. It is also a holiday collection partner for the National Trust, and a member of the Ramblers' Association.

HF Holidays' walking options in the UK include:

Classic Walking Holidays - three, four and seven night holidays including full board accommodation, a choice of three guided walks each day with local transport if needed. A Short Break starts at £199, with a seven night Classic Walking Week from £519.

Easier Guided Walking - leisurely guided walks of up to five miles with time to explore local beauty spots. From £239 for three nights.

Harder Guided Walking - Explore remote moors or high mountains in the company of an HF Holidays' leader. From £209 for three nights.

Challenger Holidays - for fit mountain walkers who want to explore the high peaks of Snowdonia, the Highlands and the Lakes. From £619 for seven nights.

Discover Britain - week-long holidays combining guided walks with visits to historical sites in the company of knowledgeable leaders. From £629 for seven nights.

Family Walking - child-friendly guided walks exclusively for families - from £199 for three nights.

Classic Walking for Solos - walking for single travellers, from £199 for three nights.

Guided and Self-guided Trails - classic routes such as Hadrian's Wall and Wainwright's Coast to Coast tackled in a small group with a leader (from £409 for four nights) or independently (from £415 for five nights).

Freedom Breaks - an 'independent' holiday allowing walkers to do their own thing, with an OS Explorer Map supplied and full use of the Country House facilities. From £149 for two nights.

Other HF Holidays' options

Cycling - leisurely cycling in a range of European destinations, from three night short breaks to week-long tours. From £299 per person.

Leisure Activities - painting, dancing, singing, digital photography, bridge, garden and explorer tours are just a small selection chosen from over 200 holiday interests. Prices start at £199 for three nights.

For more information and reservations, log on to Hfholidays.co.uk.