Despite watching the pennies, parents put schooling above cheap off peak holidays
May 2011
More than half of our schools are happy to let parents take their children away during term-time according to a recent survey* by holiday rental specialists, Owners Direct. However, despite results showing that people value their holiday time more than ever due to work overload, very few are taking advantage of the relaxed attitude, preferring to take a break over the coming May half-term and summer holidays.
A mixture of fly and flop, as well as city breaks top the list for most popular destinations this year, with the top three for 2011 being Los Cristianos and Playa Blanca in the Canary Islands, followed by trendy Barcelona. London comes in at number eleven on the list.
For May half-term specifically it’s a totally Spanish affair with Barcelona top followed by Cala D’Or and Puerto Pollensa in Mallorca closely behind.
With just under half of schools allowing up to two weeks off during term-time, it is surprising that very few parents (just 1.1 per cent) are planning to take their children away off peak to save money. And with over 80 per cent still taking the same amount or more holidays than usual in 2011, it shows that families are still determined to get away from it all.
Angela Southall, Marketing Manager for Owners Direct said: “The findings are really interesting; it shows that parents place significant importance on their children’s education and are happy to pay a premium to go away in designated holidays”.
Many of those surveyed said that getting away from work, day to day stress and financial worries was really important to them. Most felt that life was simply too short not to enjoy it and that the work, work, work culture left them desperate for a break.
Despite the record number of holidays being taken, people are always looking for ways to save money with over 70 per cent opting for a self-catering as a cheaper alternative. Other ways wily holidaymakers are saving include searching the internet for deals, doing a house swap or gramping (going away with extended family) or groups of friends.
Over 60 per cent think taking a holiday away from work has become more important than ever over the last three years. Parents say what their children most love about going on holiday is being on or near water, whether it be the pool or the beach
And the one thing they could not possibly leave behind? Over half cannot do without a good holiday read by the beach or pool. Other essentials include iPods, mobile phones and computer games. So we never completely switch off, do we!
Notes to editors:
Owners Direct specialises in advertising privately owned holiday accommodation direct from the owner. We have advertised holiday properties since 1997 and on our web site you will find over 37,000 villas, apartments, chalets, farmhouses and cottages. From Fincas in Spain to traditional Riads in Morocco and beach villas in Koh Samui, Owners Direct offer all types of holiday accommodation in a diverse selection countries throughout the world.
www.ownersdirect.co.uk
Twitter or Facebook
High resolution images, quotes and images are available on request.
Please enquire regarding press trips for features.
Please contact Publicity Oxford with all enquiries.
catherine@publicityoxford.com or 01235 202284 / eveleen@publicityoxford.com or 01491 520587
*Survey undertaken by Owners Direct with a sample of 1500 people in April 2011
Press
For all media enquiries including press releases, interviews, quotes and images please contact:
Publicity Oxford
Catherine Warrilow
catherine@publicityoxford.com
01235 202284