DESTINATIONS FAMILY HOLIDAYS | DIVERSE GROUPS
top tipp tInvolve the children.
Whatever the family type, encourage clients to ask the kids what they’d like to do on a holiday and build from there. That way every member of
the group will feel more invested in the trip
exper expert ASK THE “Don’t be afraid to try something different. All-inclusive isn’t always the
easiest option. Sightseeing and experiencing things as a family will give you lasting memories. As long as you factor in a few rest or beach days, touring holidays work really well with all types of families because no two days are identical. Variety is key when you’re travelling as a blended family, especially if there is a big age range.”
Sarah Jennings, Travel Counsellors
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Visiting Abu Simbel, Egypt; mother and son scuba diving; Ait Benhaddou, Morocco PICTURES: Intrepid Travel; Shutterstock/JonMilnes
includes flights, accommodation and 23kg of luggage, plus transfers with beach breaks and lakes holidays. Adventure travel company Explore says it will never charge lone parents for single-room
occupancy when they are travelling as a family. Q Find entertainment for all Nothing quite shatters the feeling of relaxation on a family holiday than “I’m bored” on repeat, and, when one adult is in sole charge of keeping everyone entertained, this can feel draining. One solution is to suggest a family tour. Hazel
McGuire, Intrepid Travel’s general manager for the UK and Ireland, says that having a local guide and set itinerary can take the stress out of negotiating and planning every day. She also says that group tours have the added bonus of “giving parents and children alike the chance to make new friends and connect on common
ground and shared experiences”. Q Make it relaxing for everyone When finding family holidays, it can be tempting to focus on entertainment for the children, but
40 25 MAY 2023
Group tours give parents and children alike a chance to make new friends and connect on common ground and shared experiences
parents should come back from a trip feeling like they’ve had a break too. Kids’ clubs can give single parents time to themselves and, as a bonus, some are included in the overall holiday price. Club Med includes use of kids’ clubs in its holiday prices for children aged four to 17. Nicolas Bresch, managing director for the UK and Nordics, says: “Our resorts are a great environment for those looking to unwind both physically and mentally. Our kids’ clubs offer children the opportunity to make new friends, taking that additional strain off parents, and
provide valuable opportunities for single parents
to socialise in a relaxed environment.” Q Double-check the rules
Check any rules your clients may have to adhere to when travelling. Destination-specific entry rules might apply for single parents. In Mexico, single parents could be asked to show evidence of their relationship with their child if they have a different surname – through a birth or adoption certificate, divorce or marriage certificates, or a Parental Responsibility Order. Some countries may require a letter of consent
from the child’s other parent if anyone under 18 is travelling without both parents – check what information is needed for this. And some airlines may have rules around how many children single parents can travel with.
Jet2.com says there must be at least one adult per infant on the same booking.
SAME-SEX PARENTS Q Research destinations
Laws and customs vary around the world and, unfortunately, in some countries it is still
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travelweekly.co.uk
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