Comments on: Time to take a stand against school holiday price hikes

By: Andy Smith

Andy Smith — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:36:13 +0000

I’m a parent – F*£$ the government, I can’t afford to travel in this country during the holidays. So, I will take my children out of school as I believe the experience that my children will receive from travel is far greater than a couple of weeks of poor education. The fines from schools are far less than the saving I would make from travelling off term time. I will sit them on the plane, let them splash around the pool, and put up with the tutting from the smug people who think its ok to victimise families – quoting “supply and demand!!!!!”.

Report this comment

By: Rian

Rian — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:30:14 +0000

Even if you pay the fine you’ll still be in pocket by a few hundred pounds. If the holiday were only £200 dearer in school holidays that wouldn’t be so bad!

We have a different problem anyway, I work termtime only and we don’t really want to take the kids out of school BUT my husband’s work only allows one person per team to take holiday at the same time. So we’re really struggling to fit in any sort of holiday around what we can get, (February so too cold to camp etc.). To make matters worse holiday flight dates often don’t seem to fit in with school holiday dates, despite charging more!

Maybe one solution to the usual problem would be to stagger school holiday dates from region to region? Perhaps split the summer holidays into two shorter holidays? Maybe holidays would cost slightly less with slightly less demand on each period. Also if the main summer holiday were not the month of August we’d not have to compete with the whole of Europe for spaces. Of course there’s the exam dates to consider too……..

Report this comment

By: craig

craig — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:08:35 +0000

at the school where my daughter goes they are allowed 2 weeks off a year to go on holidays so i take her out of school every year.the tour operators are just ripping families off. they give crap about supply and demand ,if people had the choice they wouldn’t go in school holidays.

Report this comment

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:23:52 +0000

We certainly can do nothing about the supply and demand principles, but the solution to this that I see is very simple. What causes the high prices during school holidays is the stupid goverment policy against taking family holidays during school year. They do not seem to realise how many families would not go for a holiday at all because of high prices leaving children with no other option than TV or hanging out with local gangs.And they dare to claim the policy is in children`s interest.
If I could change the rule I would do quite opposite- I would allow up to two weeks holiday taken up in families descretion. And holiday prices would stay at the same level for most of the year. But, I guess, I am insuficiently stupid to be the ruler
Slightly of the topic, though comments on this would be appreciated

Report this comment

By: Carlie

Carlie — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:10:23 +0000

Whilst I understand the “supply and demand” principles, I do think some companies take the biscuit – Centreparcs for instance have £1200 difference between 4 night breaks in exactly the same accomodation in April 2010 – because of the easter holidays obviously, but also their weekend prices remain very high all year, regardless of school holiday dates, bank holidays, special events etc so this affects you whether you have children or not ( although it is more of a family place). I have to admit to giggling at the thought of a tax on childless people, who mostly are free to travel where they want, when they want with no fear of being fined by the government.

A friend in the travel industry claims there are only two weeks in August which are truly high demand in Europe because pretty much everyone in every country wants to be away, the rest of the time in her opinion it is a bit of a smokescreen.

Report this comment