Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
example, the Observer writer, Ed Gillespie (2008), used a banana boat from
Costa Rica to the UK to complete his journey round the world without flying.
There are clearly capacity limits to the use of commercial shipping, and
young children may be prohibited for safety reasons. A significant limitation
is also the availability of commercial shipping routes. Sailings can also be
irregular, and the time commitment can be prolonged as sailings are subject
to freight deliveries and there may be unanticipated stops at ports en route
for several days. To this end, travel by commercial shipping is only an option
for those with significant time available and commitment to avoidance of
flights.
Small pleasure craft
Small pleasure craft include canoes/kayaks and yachts. These are generally
covered by literature on water sports. UK data compiled by Mintel (2006) on
water sports suggests they attract a broad spectrum of participants, but the
core market is aged 20 to 45. The data suggests growth, as 60-75 per cent of
participants are beginners, and there is increasing family participation.
Statistics on UK residents undertaking water sports in Scotland suggests the
market is slightly more male than female, and dominated by more affluent
socio-economic groups. Overall, 6-7 per cent of adults are involved in some
form of leisure boating in the UK (Mintel, 2006).
Canoe/kayak tours
Given its relative ease of access for beginners, canoeing/kayaking is the most
popular water sport in the UK (Mintel, 2006), with an estimated 2 million
people taking part each year (Mintel, 2008c). There is a distinction between
kayaks and canoes. Kayaks use a double paddle, while canoes use a single
paddle, and canoeing usually takes place on flat water. Both canoes and
kayaks can be used to undertake tours; however, sea touring by kayak is only
for the more experienced (Mintel, 2008d), while even families with young
children can canoe on flat water rivers and lakes. Sea kayaking originated
from the Inuit people, who use it as a form of travel around the Arctic Sea
and Greenland (Jennings, 2003). Given that most participants are beginners
(Mintel, 2006), sea kayak tours are a niche market, although this affords an
excellent slow travel opportunity to travel along a section of coastline or
between islands. In recent years the technology for making canoes/kayaks has
improved, with the production of plastic models, which are cheaper and more
robust, enabling the industry to expand (Mintel, 2008d). Canoeing and
kayaking are generally self-organized by individuals or through clubs, with
canoes owned or hired. It is also possible to attend training courses or join
organized tours. While canoeing and kayaking are mentioned in articles on
tourism and climate change, this is only in the context of activities potentially
impacted by climate change through, for example, longer seasons or increased
flooding.
As an active form of water-based travel, canoeing/kayaking can provide
an intense experience, especially where trips are made to remote areas and
there is much individual effort involved (Kane and Zink, 2004). Such trips
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