The annual summer holiday is something of a necessity for most families. It’s a chance to reconnect and spend some quality time together without the distractions of homework, TV and computer.
However, families’ purse strings are being tightened all the time, so it’s little wonder that many are trying to save as much money as possible on the cost of their getaway.
Research has revealed that almost three out of ten parents plan to take their kids out of school during term time this year in order to save on the cost of a family holiday.
This is despite the fact that parents risk a fine which has gone up by 60 per cent in the past year alone. The fine is currently £60, which goes up to £120 if it’s not paid within 28 days.
It’s easy to see why so many parents are tempted to take their children out of school for a holiday when you look at the difference in price.
The price of a family holiday for a week to Disneyland in Florida, for example, during term time is an average of £2,619, but during the school holidays the same trip goes up to a whopping £3,824 – an increase of 46 per cent. With a difference like this, it’s little wonder that parents are willing to risk a fine.
“The difference in price for taking a trip during the school holidays and during term-time is huge,” said Selwyn Fernandes, managing director of LV= travel insurance.
“It is not surprising that so many parents are willing to risk a fine of £60 when they can save ten times that by holidaying outside of the peak season.”
More than half of the parents surveyed admitted to taking their child out of school for a holiday in the past, with 32 per cent saying that they simply cannot afford a holiday at any other time.
