ABTA Convention Special: Destinations like the Canaries, Cyprus, Greece, Florida and Tunisia will be the focus of Spring and Autumn family holidays if the government plan to change school holidays goes ahead.
A report published by First Choice said families may take longer holidays in October and April if half-terms are extended. It said the Local Education Authority would be unlikely to implement the six-term year until the 2004-2005 academic year, giving agents and operators time to adapt brochures.
Currently, 44 percent of family holidays are taken during July and August, 20 percent in September and October, and 16 percent in May and June, according to the report.
Beach and resort holidays are still the most popular family holidays, accounting about half of holidays, so the warmer climates of destinations like Florida and the Canaries will see those destinations benefit from Spring and Autumn family holidays.
Read the latest news from the ABTA Cairo Convention 2002:
Rivals consider switching off MyTravel
Carrick makes robust defence of MyTravel
BA chief Rod Eddington: We got it wrong
Industry reports tough year
New rule on consumer protection
ABTA against new airport in the South East
TUI plans image boost for Thomson
JMC an expensive waste – some might say
Most package holidays still booked with agents
Differentiation the key for agents
Consumers in the north ‘particularly resistant to agent fees’
BA whittled down agent calls with premi
