Teletext survey finds generation of globetrotting tots

Research commissioned by Teletext Holidays has shown that children of today will have been abroad four times by the age of 10.

In contrast, 65% of children 30 years ago hadn’t been on holiday abroad at all by 10 years of age, and were more likely to have one or two holidays beside the British seaside.

Research shows the most common holiday destinations for children today include Spain, France and Greece.

The study of 3,000 Brits shows children of the seventies and eighties wouldn’t have jetted off abroad until the age of 13 – whereas little ones today are travelling by plane at an average age of four years and nine months.

Teletext Holidays managing director Victoria Sanders said: “There has been a definite shift in the ways parents approach holidays these days – the rise of package holidays in the seventies and eighties, the big holiday discounts of the 1990s and the increasing choice of holiday destinations and quality hotels means it’s become much more affordable – and the norm – to travel as a family.

“Parents are becoming more adventurous than ever before, thinking nothing of travelling with pushchairs, toys and car seats.

“But 30 years ago it was more likely that Brits would pack up the car with tents and camping equipment for a seaside holiday by the coast – or if they were being adventurous get on a ferry to France.”

A third of parents said they took their own parents – and children’s grandparents – along too the first time they took their little children away on an plane.

And 41% would think nothing of stepping on to an plane with a baby who was only a few months old.

In particular, nine in 10 parents believe that holiday resorts are generally child-friendly these days, and make it easier to travel abroad with children.

A third of modern day parents say they wouldn’t feel as though they had given their kids a proper holiday if they didn’t take them abroad.

Victoria Sanders, Teletext Holidays, continues: “There has been a definite swing back to package holidays over the last three years since the beginning of the economic downturn. A decade ago they fell out of fashion in favour of “DIY” holidays – with people matching low cost flights with hotels – but parents travelling with young children don’t want to take any risks and now realise the value and security of a package holidays.”

TOP 5 MOST COMMON HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

THEN                NOW

Cornwall           Spain
Devon               France
Wales              Cornwall
Scotland          Devon
Dorset             Greece