23/05/2013 00:00
TW
0

Palma.—As half term approaches, new research from TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site, reveals more than half (53%) of British parents are spending less on family holidays in 2011 compared to 2010, and almost half (46%) admit they have broken the rules and taken their child on holiday during term time to save money. The TripAdvisor Family Holiday Survey, carried out on 2'000 parents across the United Kingdom, reveals that government spending cuts are significantly impacting family holiday spend this year. “These findings will come as no surprise to all those parents who are seriously considering sacrificing the family holiday altogether this year. For many families, breaking the rules and taking their child out of school to avoid peak holiday costs is regarded as the only way they can afford a family holiday this year,” commented Emma O'Boyle, TripAdvisor spokesperson.

With government cuts taking hold, job security under threat and taxes on the rise, the survey found that more than half (53%) of British parents will spend less on family travel in 2011 than they did in 2010 and that 44% of British parents claim the government spending cuts will directly impact their travel plans in 2011.

The subject of children on planes has been hotly debated recently with calls from certain quarters for adults-only flights. According to the survey, a quarter (24%) of parents who have flown with children under the age of three claim to have experienced negative reactions from fellow passengers.

Of the 44% of respondents who have not yet flown with their young children, almost a quarter (22%) admit it was because they feel it would be unfair on other passengers.

The survey also reveals significant splits across the UK when it comes to how parents approach family holidays. When questioned on the importance of fun versus learning on holiday, London parents were by far the most concerned about education; 29% admit they make their child learn about the local culture or language on holiday, compared to the national average of just 16%, falling to only 2% of parents in the East Midlands.