Press release
April 18, 2024
This announcement is under embargo until April 18, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Vacations: 76% of French people believe that outdoor activities are important for their mental and physical health
According to an OpinionWay survey conducted for outdoor equipment rental startup Lokki, the French are keen to take part in outdoor sporting activities during their vacations.
At a time when the French are increasingly looking for a more local and responsible form of tourism, Lokki, the reference in outdoor equipment rental, unveils the results of an exclusive study on the practice of outdoor physical and sporting activities by the French on vacation**.**
Carried out by OpinionWay among over 1,000 people, the study reveals that the vast majority of French people enjoy outdoor sports. However, the cost of these activities and the associated logistics remain an obstacle to their practice.
The French prefer outdoor activities for balanced vacations
According to the survey, 88% of French people feel that spending time outdoors is good for them. For 9 out of 10, it's a way of looking after their mental and physical health.
What's more, 69% of participants systematically include outdoor activities in their vacation plans, highlighting the strong demand for a connection with nature.
Financial and logistical obstacles to overcome
Despite this clear interest in the outdoors, the study nevertheless highlights significant obstacles, mainly linked to the cost and complexity of renting the equipment needed for activities such as kayaking, cycling and boating. Indeed, 65% of those surveyed consider the cost of rental to be prohibitive, while 55% find the logistics too complicated. These concerns are particularly pronounced among young people under 35 and the less affluent socio-economic categories, highlighting a disparity in access to outdoor activities.
Diversified practices with a desire for adventure
Hiking (53%), cycling (37%) and running (17%) are the most commonly practised activities, not least because of their accessibility.
However, there is a strong desire to discover new activities, with almost two out of five French people wanting to try water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding, and 15% expressing an interest in paragliding. It's worth noting that this curiosity for new leisure activities concerns women more than men.
***"*We urgently need to make leisure rentals accessible to everyone! Nature and adventure are within everyone's reach, whatever their level of sport, social background or budget.With rental, we're breaking down the barriers that prevent French people from exploring France: no need for skills, no material constraints and low costs," says Benoit Prigent, CEO and co-founder of Lokki.Rent.
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Key figures from the study
Outdoor activities:
- 88% of French people simply enjoy spending time outdoors during their vacations.
- 76% believe that outdoor activities are important for their mental and physical health.
- 69% always include activities in a natural environment during their vacations.
Cost & logistics :
- 65% of French people think that equipment rental is too expensive.
- 55% find equipment rental logistics too complicated.
- 72% of working-class people and 73% of the under-35s cite price as a major obstacle.
Physical and sporting activities practiced and desired :
- 53% go hiking, 37% cycling and 17% running.
- Nearly two out of five respondents (around 38%) would like to discover a water sport, such as canoeing (15%) or paddling (14%). 15% are curious about paragliding.
Breakdown by gender*:*
- Men vs. Women The results show differences in preferences and practices between men and women, particularly for hiking, biking and water sports. For example, 21% of men go running, versus 13% of women.
- When it comes to outdoor activities, women are more inquisitive than men. While they declare fairly similar practices to those of men, women cite more sports they would like to discover on vacation, with sometimes significant differences as for yoga and pilates (19% vs. 8% of men) or hiking (25% vs. 20%).
Age distribution :
- 18-24: more adventurous, with 33% interested in climbing, 27% in surfing, and 26% in paragliding.
- 25-34 and 35-49: show a marked interest in outdoor activities, with variations in their preferred activities.
Other*:*
- The majority of French people who take part in outdoor activities do so for their mental (91%) and physical (92%) health.
- The most popular activities are those requiring little or no specialized equipment.
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About the survey
Lokki commissioned OpinionWay to conduct this survey in March 2024 in France, questioning over 1,000 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over, through quantitative and qualitative interviews.
The sample was drawn up using the quota method, based on gender, age, socio-professional category, urban area and region of residence.
About Lokki.rent
Lokki.rent democratizes sustainable leisure for all and the economy of use. Why buy when you can rent? Lokki is a platform that lists over 3,000 rental outlets for leisure equipment in France, including bikes, surfboards, paddles and kayaks. With just one click, you can rent your favorite equipment for an hour, a day or even several days to reconnect with nature and rediscover France. Rent, move, enjoy!
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Press contact:
Frédérique Josse
