The Office of National Statistics has released its Social Trends 2007 survey, showing promising results for the leisure industry.

The survey found that 62 per cent of all trips taken by UK residents in 2005 were made within the country, equating to 86.6 million holidays that included at least one overnight stay.

The number of visitors attending plays in London’s West End reached a record high of 12.3 million in 2005, while cinemas saw attendances of 165 million with 72 per cent of the population going at least once in 2005. A quarter of people went to the cinema at least once a month.

The report also stated that 68 per cent of the English population over the age of 16 participated in at least one type of active sport during the year surveyed, with the most popular activity being indoor swimming.

Overall, 73 per cent of men stated that they had taken part in sport compared with 63 per cent of women.

The Social Trends survey draws together social and economic data from a range of government departments and organisations to provide a guide to British society. Details: www.statistics.gov.uk