Gove wants shorter summer break for schools –industry reaction
Education secretary Michael Gove's proposal last week to shorten the school summer holidays to four weeks instead of six caused debate over its implications for children's well-being and education, childcare, and the employment terms of teachers. But it could also have a major impact on the travel industry.
Prices for trips and flights to popular destinations currently skyrocket during school summer holidays because there is a huge demand from families with school-age kids. Shortening the period when they can travel could increase prices even further at busy times.
Malcolm Bell, head of Visit Cornwall, said: "If the government wants to hurt hard-working, striving families, this is the best way, as holidays in the UK and overseas would become far more expensive in peak periods."
When schools started to enforce rules about term-time absences, the industry saw a greater spike during peak periods, said a spokesperson for easyJet.
However, some operators said if the holidays were staggered across different regions, and for a longer period, and other holidays such as Easter were made longer, there could be a positive impact, and prices may fall. There could be more bargains, said Cathy Rankin, marketing manager for Pierre & Vacances, if some UK holidays no longer coincided with European schools. Cumbria Tourism head of policy Richard Greenwood argued a new timetable would have to safeguard the UK's valuable tourism industry, which generates £114bn per annum, supporting 2.65m jobs.
Gemma Bowes
Escapism
After the long cold delay, this spring's flower display should be the best for years, and this is the week bluebells are bursting into life, says the Woodland Trust. It has compiled a guide to the top 10 places to see them, plus a search tool to find a bluebell wood near you from a list of more than 1,300.
• visitwoods.org.uk
Weird world
A new book, Atlantis and the Silver City, by Peter Daughtrey, claims that the lost city of Atlantis is not by the Greek island of Santorini, but in the Algarve in Portugal. The author, who lives in Portugal, has thoroughly researched the legendary city and is now convinced that the town of Silves matches Plato's description. Published on Monday for £9.99.
Glamp watch
Warwick Castle launches a medieval-style glamping experience for families this summer, with 35 bell tents available through the holidays, in a shaded glade. The castle will also host Horrible Histories camps with era-themed tents and activities such as "rat bowling".
• 20 July-1 Sept, from £150 per night for a family of four, including entrance to the castle, and breakfast (warwick-castle. com)
What's new?
Short breaks
Mr & Mrs Smith hotels is having an affair with British Airways, pairing up for a series of BA Holidays packages that involve a few nights in a sexy, stylish hotel with a BA flight (there are more than 300 Smith hotels to choose from). To launch the partnership this week there are several deals, including a trip to Barcelona including three nights at the 4-star Primero Primera, B&B, from £329pp based on June 2013 departures from Gatwick.
• 0844 493 0758,ba.com/mrandmrssmith
Festivals
Woodland clearings in seven places in the UK (including Dalby Forest, Yorkshire and Delamere Forest, Cheshire) have been transformed into gig-spaces for a series of concerts called Forest Live, featuring performers such as Elvis Costello, Blondie, The Charlatans, and Jools Holland. Some other acts have sold out, so check the website for tickets.
• 03000 680 400, forestry.gov.uk/music
Sailing
Young singles looking for an active, sociable break in the sun could try Sail Croatia (0800 193 8289, sail-croatia.com), whose boats tour the Adriatic with a crew of like-minded travellers, stopping off for nightlife and to eat in stylish restaurants. It's not strictly a singles holiday but there's no single supplement.
• A seven-night trip costs from £349pp in May or £549 in August
How much?!
You might think those on a once in a lifetime trip to the Galápagos islands would only want to see the unique wildlife. But a new package adds more. A "Surf and Yoga Safari" has been launched by Original Travel, with accommodation in an "eco-luxury tent", surf instruction in Tortuga Bay and sunrise meditations, for £4,700pp for seven days, including flights from the UK.
• 020-7978 7333, originaltravel.co.uk
Trend alert!
The ever-growing number of iPhone addicts and technophiles has led to "digital detox" packages being offered by hotels and tour operators. The Westin in Dublin (thewestindublin.com/digital-detox) provides a detox survival pack with its package, including a real newspaper and a real paper map; and there's a dedicated company, thedigitaldetox.org with retreats in California.
