A study commissioned by online travel booking platform Agoda reveals "trying a new sport" is among the top three things on this year’s bucket list of Filipinos aged 18 to 29.
Young Pinoy travelers are looking for a place that will satisfy their wanderlust while getting their endorphins up. Agoda lists down five vacation spots for a truly sporty holiday.
Mountain bike ride through New Zealand ‘ghost towns’
Veer away from the typical Kiwi trip itinerary and swap a visit to the Hobbiton movie set for a ride on the wild side. The Old Ghost Road is an 85-kilometer mountain biking and tramping trail on the West Coast of New Zealand that runs through four “ghost towns,” so it’s a true test of one’s adventurous spirit.
Where to stay: Book a room at the Murchison Lodge for a restful night before taking on the 30-minute drive (or warm-up ride) to the starting point at Lyell Historic Reserve.
Head over to the home of Muay Thai
Phuket in Thailand offers more than just amazing beaches and great surf spots, it’s also home to the world-renowned Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp. Get a chance to learn Muay Thai or “The Art of the Eight Limbs,” Thailand’s national sport and cultural martial art, from the masters themselves. They’ve got week-long and month-long training packages for the serious practitioner, but those who can only a spare a few hours or a few days, may avail of single-class, day pass, and 1-on-1 private training sessions.
Where to stay: Casa Bella Phuket will be a great home base as it’s less than a 30-minute drive away from Tiger Muay Thai and is also very accessible to other attractions, like Big Buddha and various popular beaches.
Snowkiting in Switzerland
Take a break from the usual skiing and snowboarding, and try something new. Snowkiting allows one to explore the mountains while being powered by the wind from a large kite—a relatively easy sport to pick up. This outdoor sport is similar to water-based kiteboarding using footwear for snowboarding or skiing. And what better place to do that than in the wintry Swiss Alps. Enroll in a snowkiting school close to the town of Brig and enjoy action-packed days.
Where to stay: For award-winning French and Swiss cuisine and a cozy stay, check-in at Hotel Ambassador.
Watch one of the world’s biggest rugby events in Japan
Witness world-class rugby in Japan this autumn. Fly out to the Kanagawa prefecture to catch the final match of the tournament at the Yokohama Stadium. While there, thrill-seekers can try their hand at some traditional Japanese sports like kendo (bamboo swordsmanship), kyudo (Japanese archery), or even learn the art of stealth practiced by ninjas known as ninjutsu.
Where to stay: Book a capsule at Atsugi Capsule Hotel for no-fuss, affordable accommodation—and a cool capsule experience.
Try dragon boat racing in Dumaguete
Aside from being a home to warm, gentle people, Dumaguete is gearing up to become the Philippines’ next sports tourism hub. It has played host to a number of sporting events, from the annual Dumaguete Dragon Boat Challenge, to the Little League Philippines Series, the National Frisbee Ultimate Championship, and Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour.
Where to stay: Stay at a dive resort like Atlantis Dive Resort Dumaguete, which offers custom dive packages and courses to get certified.