Media Comment: School calendar must be changed to allow better family travel

Our CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said is calling for a rethink of the school holiday calendar to ease demand, cut costs for families and support a more sustainable travel industry.

"Destinations such as Croatia, Cyprus and Egypt are experiencing rising demand in May and October, with bookings up by 30%-40% in some cases compared with pre-pandemic levels.

Many British families face an impossible choice: pay premium prices for crowded, uncomfortably hot destinations during the six-week summer break or remove children from school during term time and face potential rising fines,” she added.

Some regions have already pioneered extending October half‑term [from one] to two weeks while shortening summer holidays.

Academies, which represent about 50% of schools, already have the flexibility to set their own holiday timetables. This means comprehensive reform wouldn’t require legislation affecting every school, although it may mean new guidelines for academy schools. 

A more balanced redistribution of school holidays could help smooth demand curves, alleviate pressure on overstretched travel infrastructure and create a more efficient tourism ecosystem,” she continued.

Travel during the shoulder seasons may also bring more-affordable opportunities for families.

It’s time for comprehensive reform that puts families first and acknowledges the realities of climate change and modern travel patterns."