Study reveals extent of summer holiday ‘rip-off’
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The full extent of the summer holiday rip-off has been exposed by a new study, which reveals that prices have plummeted by up to 62 percent this week as kids head back to school.
Researchers found that a family of four can save an average of £626 – or 26 percent – on an all-inclusive break in the first week of September compared to the last week of August.
Parents booking with Thomson could save 43 percent, or £1,382, on a four star getaway to Ibiza, which would cost £3,245 in August or £1,863 in September.
Alternatively, they could cut 37 percent, or £893, from their bill for a three-star hotel in Mallorca – or 34 percent, £1,235, on a four star hotel in Corfu.
Prices for 2016 show that holidays in the Balearics are on average 27.75 percent cheaper in September, 27.25 percent cheaper in Corfu, 22.5 percent in mainland Spain, 21.5 percent in the Canaries and 20 percent in Turkey.
Surprisingly, the biggest difference in prices was found on UK ‘staycations’.
The biggest saving overall was a self-catering caravan at Haven’s Primrose Valley Park in Yorkshire – with a whopping 62 percent reduction, or £272 instead of £720.
Cathy Crewdson, head of travel at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk, which carried out the study, said: ”It used to be the case that if you couldn’t afford to go abroad you could always stay in the UK.
“But as our data shows staying in the UK during the school holidays doesn’t mean you are immune to price hikes.
“Whilst we would never advocate children missing out on education, we can sympathise with the many parents who decide to risk a school fine, especially when the savings far outweigh the actual fine.”
The survey, which is based on two adults with two children, aged four and eight, flying from Manchester, found that savvy travellers make the biggest savings on UK breaks.
It revealed that the cost of a ‘staycation’ in the last week of August was an average 51 percent higher than in the first week of September, when school starts again.
Families heading to Centre Parcs in Sherwood Forest could also slice 46 percent from their bill for a self-catering, two-bedroom villa – which would cost £730 more in August.
While a break for four at Butlins, Bognor Regis is £742 in the first week of September 2016, compared with £1,370 in the last week of August – a 46 percent saving.
A spokeswoman for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said: “The reason prices rise during school holidays and other busy periods is due to supply and demand.
“More people in the UK and across Europe want to take holidays in July and August, at Easter and at Christmas, therefore prices rise during these times, as there is increased demand for a limited number of hotel rooms and flight seats.
“The best way for families to ensure an affordable holiday, with the greatest choice, is to book early: package tour operators offer free child places for early bookers and lower fares for children.
“If holidaymakers can be flexible about their booking arrangements, for example selecting a holiday with different departure or destination airport or a different departure date, they may also find cheaper deals.”
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