HF Holidays supports Britain on Foot

33,500 share-holding members of HF Holidays are stepping forward to support Britain on Foot, a new national campaign designed to get more people active in the outdoors.

Britain on Foot launched this morning in London by James Berresford (chief executive of Visit England) and Benedict Southworth, (chief executive of Ramblers), in the presence of representatives of the National Trust, and a host of organisations involved in promoting Britain’s great outdoors.

Britain on Foot is led by the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA is the outdoor trade body), backed by a powerful combination of consumer organisations, outdoor companies, influential individuals and public bodies. The Government is also getting behind the campaign, and ministers from the Department of Health and Department of Culture Media & Sport have voiced their support.

Ultimately, Britain on Foot aims to get one million more people in Britain participating in outdoor activities, bringing significant benefits to the health of the nation and boosting domestic tourism in the process. Wherever people live, they don’t have to travel far to discover beautiful scenery or enjoy outdoor adventures. Crucially, access to the countryside and outdoor activities is easy and relatively inexpensive – apart from anything else, the venue is often free.

HF Holidays is a co-operative society, and the UK’s largest walking and activity holidays organisation, welcoming 50,000 people – not only its members – on walking holidays each year.

When HF Holidays was founded in 1913 – the organisation celebrates its Centenary this year – its mission was “to promote the healthy enjoyment of leisure, to encourage the love of the open air and to promote social and international fellowship and to cater for all ages, abilities, cultures and nationalities”.

“Those guiding principles still underpin HF Holidays in 2013, which is why we are giving our full support to this initiative,” says HF Holidays’ chief executive Brian Smith, who spoke at the launch today.

“The nation’s health; employment and prosperity; social, active enjoyment of our beautiful country – and people together outdoors: what is there not to like about this national campaign? HF Holidays is honoured to be part of Britain on Foot.”

Britain on Foot is teaming up with the Department of Health’s healthy living initiative, Change4Life, which will run an activity based campaign throughout the summer. A calendar of outdoor activities and events is being created on the BoF, and both social media, and people who already walk and enjoy the outdoors, will be significant in spreading the campaign message.

To find out more about Britain on Foot visit www.britainonfoot.co.uk

For further information about HF Holidays visit www.hfholidays.co.uk

About HF Holidays

HF Holidays has been helping people enjoy the great outdoors for nearly 100 years. Today over 50,000 people come on holiday with us every year. They come for the walking. They come for the activities. They come for the fun. They come for the food. And they come for the high quality accommodation. It’s why we’re Britain’s biggest walking and outdoor leisure holiday specialists.

Background info:

* Founded in 1913, HF Holidays is a co-operative society arranging walking, outdoor and
leisure activity holidays for 50,000 people each year (for non-members, a £5 associate fee
is payable per holiday).
* Options range from guided walking breaks and self-guided trails in Britain to challenging
ascents Worldwide. The leisure activities range includes art, music, literature and mindand-body holidays.
* HF Holidays is the recommended walking holiday partner of the Ramblers, Britain’s
walking charity (ramblers.org.uk), and supports the work of the Ramblers through
membership initiatives and charitable donations.
* HF Holidays has 20 Houses in the UK’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty as well as independent hotels for overseas holidays.
* HF Holidays’ walks leaders are passionate about walking and keen to share their
experience with guests (after passing a rigorous selection course).
* HF Holidays is committed to Responsible Tourism, contributing to environmental projects
around the UK – such as footpath maintenance – through its Pathways Fund and
supporting local Air Ambulance and Mountain Rescue teams as well as charities in Kenya
and South Africa.
* Voted Best Large Tour Operator by Guardian and Observer readers 2010, 2011 and 2012,
with a 2012 satisfaction score of 98 per cent. Also Best Large Short Break Operator 2011
and 2012.
* In recent research (March 2012) carried out by Which?, HF Holidays achieved
Recommended Provider Status receiving an overall customer satisfaction score of 94%.
* HF Holidays is a member of ABTOT and is ATOL protected.