School holiday price hike

People wishing to take an overseas break during the school holidays could pay 165 per cent more.

15:58 16 June 2004

People wishing to take an overseas break during the school holidays could pay 165 per cent more.

A survey by the Evening Standard has revealed that prices climb steeply a few weeks into the school summer break

One example given was a firm that charged 496.50 for a week long holiday Port de Plaisance, Brittany, from June 15th for a family of two adults and two children; however, after August 13th this doubled to 997.50.

Government ministers have asked tour operators to explain the leap in prices - as they claim it is unfair on families.

But tour operators say without this price hike they would go out of business.

In some areas parents have responded by pulling their children from school early. But unauthorised absences can see parents fined as much as 100.

A spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents pointed out that summer price hikes are unavoidable.

Simple market economics means that if more people want to use the same flights, hotels, and resorts then these things become more costly.