This Content Is Only For Subscribers
As we approach the mid-year school holidays, new Flight Centre data shows bookings for travel during this period are up compared to last year, while bookings for travel throughout the school term are down.
Flight Centre’s July school holiday bookings for families are up 10 per cent compared to the July school holidays in 2023, while bookings during the school term prior, for this same demographic are down 30 per cent compared to the same school term last year.
This data coincides with the government’s focus on truancy, which includes parents taking their children out of school for family holidays.
While stage one of the government’s plan to crack-down on attendance has only just come into place – it seems many parents may already be following these rules.
Flight Centre New Zealand general manager Heidi Walker says many of the travel agency’s customers who have school-age kids are already wary of taking their kids out of school during the term.
“Family bookings over the school holiday period always skyrocket, but what’s most interesting is the decline in bookings from this segment during the school term.
“What some of our customers are telling us is that many schools across the country now have firm rules against taking kids out of school for travel that’s not deemed as crucial.”
Heidi says although travel can be more expensive over the school holiday period, there are still ways to nab a good deal.
“Booking well in advance would be my biggest piece of advice for those with school-age kids – gone are the days where there would be last minute deals to destinations.
“Though capacity has risen considerably, it’s still somewhat limited so as seats fill up, prices do inevitably go up.”
The most popular destinations for families booking with Flight Centre for the upcoming school holidays include usual family favourites such as, Fiji, the Gold Coast and Rarotonga.
“Close-to-home destinations are always popular for families, especially when they’re limited to just a two-week trip, within the school holidays.”
Long-haul destinations aren’t completely off the agenda though.
“Bali, London, LA and Hawaii also have strong booking numbers from our family customers,” Heidi says.
