Late bookings for September and October on rise for families with under-5s as 62% yet to book break.
The Summer Holiday baby rush has only just started, according to statistics revealed by award winning family villa specialists, Tots To Travel. Tots To Travel specialises in villa holidays for families with children under-5, and as they are gear up for busy September and October “Summer Season”, they know there are still many families out there looking to secure an extra-attractive last minute deal.
A recent survey amongst 200 of Tots’ own database parents with babies and toddlers has revealed that 62% of families who are planning to go away this Autumn have yet to book their break. With savings of up to 40% on villas booked in September and October as opposed to those booked in July and August, it is unsurprising that canny parents who can book out of season are doing so.
60% of Tots to Travel’s bookings are outside July and August, and occupancy in September and October remains firm. This is even more so for winter sun destinations like the Canaries, where 86% of all bookings are off peak. As the true family travel experts, with each handpicked, baby and child friendly villa and apartment having an Essential Kit List – a guarantee of everything you need to keep small children safe and happy from swimming pool barriers, to stair gates, stick blenders and black out blinds, it is unsurprising that Tots sees so many term time bookings.
“We are getting to know and enjoy our September baby rush” comments Wendy Shand, founder of Tots To Travel. “There is so much pressure on families with school age children to get the right villa at the right time these days. This year, the focus has been on school-age families more than ever, with schools enforcing fines for holidays taken in term time; a recent survey by the BBC saw a 70% increase on fine enforcement. This has put even more pressure on properties during this period.
“It is unsurprising therefore, to see those families who can take a break outside and July and August do so. In fact, we are surprised more families with pre-school age children don’t seek villas outside the school holidays. Once children reach school age there is no turning back and this is the one time parents can really make the most of ‘luxury for less’: less people, less stress, less heat, and of course less expense. On average our villas are 20%-30% cheaper in September than they are in August.
“Parents with small children want to know they are going to have a good holiday when they get there even more so if they are booking outside peak season; goodness knows they will have earned it. So many holiday companies are winding down in the autumn, but we know this is when things get going for us. We focus on areas with guaranteed sunshine, villas with enclosed pools and near towns or in resorts, as we know these will appeal to families seeking an Autumnal break. Southern France, Spain, Cyprus and Canaries are all particularly popular.”
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
