School holiday prices are un-fair

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Car Rental News - 18/06/2009

 

The government was urged to stop tour operators raising their prices during school holidays.

“Premium pricing was forcing some parents to take their children out of school during term time because it was the only way they could afford a holiday. While the vast majority of parents arranged for their families to go away during the school breaks, ending price fluctuation would help to stop children being taken out of school during term time,” said Tory MP, Philip Hollobone.

Mr Hollobone asked during Commons question if the government were going to step in and do something about the rise in price by tour operators for family holidays. “'Because if the premium pricing issue was dealt with, far more families would be able to take their holidays during the summer holidays, he added.

Minister for schools, Vernon Coaker said that head teachers were already cracking down on children unnecessarily away during term time and it was the responsibility of local authorities to dictate when schools have term breaks.

“'The issue of premium priced holidays has been around for a long time and is not an issue which is solely the responsibility of travel agents. It would not make economic sense for a company to artificially lower prices for families,” said communications officer for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), Sean Tipton.

Mr Tipton added that he would rather see families travel out of peak season in maybe June or September which would solve the problem greatly of premium pricing.

Thanks to The Daily Mail for the quotes.

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