Call for government action over increased holiday prices during school holidays

[CatherineHMumsnet]

Following the story today on how a father's Facebook rant about how travel companies increase holiday prices during the school holidays encouraged 143,000 people to sign a petition calling for government action, we were wondering what Mumsnetters' opinions were on the subject.

Are you sick of being forced to pay dramatically higher prices to take a holiday when schools are out? Or do you see it, as ABTA do, as a straightforward issue of supply and demand?

FGS a paid family holiday away is a luxury, not an entitlement. Get real Mumsnet!

I'd sign a petition about criminalising parents who judiciously take term-time hols, but this campaign is daft. I can already imagine some comedian joking about it as an example of "first world problems..."

It's a bloody stupid idea.

For God's sake, has April Fool's Day come early MN? That's the only reason that I can think you would even think to start a thread on this topic - get a grip.

You would embarrass yourselves by having this campaign. It is basic economics. Supply and demand.

No one needs a foreign holiday.

Tethers is right.

YABU

A government can't price fix holidays! Whatever next? Government dictating what all businesses can charge for things.

Flower sellers not allowed to put prices up at Valentines, train companies not allowed to charge higher prices at peak times.

Price fixing always leads to reduced supply.

These petitions are idiotic.

Making money is what companies are supposed to do. Those people demanding action don't even know they live in a capitalist society?

On the other hand I think letting people take holidays throughout the year can be done without causing the end of civilisation.

If MN backed this campaign, they would look idiotic. What next, cheaper flowers on Valentine's Day?

If the Government backed this, there would just be very few foreign holidays available to buy during the summer holidays. It is also worth noting taht out of season, there usually are less facilities available e.g. kids clubs or entertainment. So of course you should pay less.

Also can you imagine how all the parents struggling to just feed their kids would feel if MN backed this campaign? A 2 week family holiday abroad is a luxury many parents will never be able to afford.

Also really surprised that HQ had to ask. How embarrassing.

Just read the article linked in the OP and apparently the petition is calling for a cap on the percentage increase on holiday prices during the school holidays.

Right. That sounds all very lovely and utopian. But surely the holiday companies would just raise their off-peak prices, thereby penalising everyone who doesn't have a school-age child?

It's a straightforward issue of supply and demand. Please don't back this campaign, you'd look like fools.

Yes it would just bring out the anti children brigade. And in this case, with some justification.

Fuel poverty a much bigger issues for families.

There was a time when the average family didn't take regular holidays. What happened to a weekend away or a day trip?

I agree it is supply and demand, the government should not be expected to do anything about this issue. Utility bills are a necessity, holidays are a nice perk if you can afford it.

Actually, the 'average family' has a long history of taking holidays - back in ye olden dayes, factories and indeed towns would have a two week shut-down and people would head to the coast on a train - eg the Glasgow Fair and similar up and down the country. So it's not exactly a new idea that families spend some of their year enjoying quality leisure time together.

Ridiculous petition. It's obvious to anyone with an ounce of understanding of basic economics that holidays in the most popular times are going to be the most expensive - even 3 or 4 times as much. Holiday companies must and should charge the highest they can in popular times consistent with still filling all their spaces. Prices are only "too high" if they can't fill all their spaces, and then they reduce prices till people book. The low-cost-bargain term time prices do not cover all their costs but it's slightly better for someone to be staying there at less-than-cost-price than to have it stand empty for weeks, as most costs need paying whether or not someone is there.

I can't believe selfish entitled people campaigning about this when there are people in the UK who can't afford to heat their homes in winter or put a decent nutritious meal on the table.

Agreed Kaylee. Holiday companies discount heavily to fill places in unpopular times, rather than remain empty. They easily fill places in popular times. I went skiing earlier this month, very quiet therefore cheap. I don't have to know when half term is, I just look at prices in February and find out. If one week is expensive the whole country has the same week, if two weeks are expensive different areas have different weeks. Supply and demand.

imo the petition should be to reverse forcing heads to fine parents who go on holiday in term time where there are no other attendance issues and the parents are clearly committed to their child's education.

that's the bit the government does have control over.

oh and if i wanted the government to intervene in pricing it would be rent and utility charges i wanted them to tackle.

on a selfish note i'd rather the government did NOT change term times in different areas as it will just make more times when it's bloody expensive to get a flight anywhere. not all flights are about going on holiday btw.

Listen to calamitouslywrong folks! She makes a clear case! I'm a mum of 3, and have 2 childless sisters so I can see both sides. Heck it's expensive taking kids anywhere, term time or not, as everything is multiplied by at least twice to go out for a day trip let alone abroad. I knew that before I chose (sic) to have children so it's no big surprise.

My sisters on the other hand are regularly expected to cover for their colleagues esp at Xmas while they all take time off for family holidays and to spend time with their children, all the while forgetting that my sisters have family too - Mum, Dad, Uncles etc - and would like to spend time with them. They also resent going on holiday with noisy families who have taken their kids out of school to join them on their only holiday of their year.

As for visiting family abroad, there are many times we decide we can't visit my bachelor Uncle who is only 200 miles away, as it would cost a tank of diesel, entry to a local attraction, pub lunch to save him cooking for 6, etc

And if you can't stand spending time with each other on holiday, don't go!

I wonder why MNHQ actually started this thread. It doesn't actually say in the OP that they are considering backing it, but if it was purely to start discussion it was unnecessary as there have already been threads discussing it.

I agree flowery, there have been a fair few large threads where the general mood was very clear. And even if that wasn't the case, it's an obviously ill conceived idea.