HF Holidays, the UK's market leader for guided walking and leisure activity holidays, says bookings for European holidays are up 20% compared to this same point last year.

The operator, which is a long-established co-operative society, says holidays to Austria and Croatia have performed particularly well, as have guided walking weeks in Portugal and the Canary Islands.

Additional capacity on key 2014 dates is being added where possible, with further expansion planned for 2015.

"We are very pleased to see such high demand for our guided walking holidays in Europe.  Sociable walking in superb destinations is our passion at HF Holidays, and it is great news that more and more people are getting on board with this enthusiasm," said European product manager Steven Purdham.

The operator currently features almost 40 European walking holiday destinations for small groups based in independent hotels.  Walks are led by local guides and accompanied by experienced HF Holidays leaders flown from the UK.

In the UK, HF Holidays operates 19 country houses as bases for guided walking and leisure activity holidays.

0845 470 7558, www.hfholidays.co.uk

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Release issued by Jane Williams at Beacon PR 01572 748 800, jane@beaconpr.co.uk

Editor's notes:

• 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 in Britain to challenging ascents Worldwide.  The leisure activities range includes art, music, literature and mind-and-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 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, 2012 and 2013.  Also Best Large Short Break Operator 2011 and 2012.
• In recent research carried out by Which?, HF Holidays achieved Recommended Provider Status for the second successive year.
• HF Holidays is a member of ABTOT and is ATOL protected.