Why parents are looking for much more in a family holiday

*Post in collaboration with Tots To Travel

As the dreary weather continues and families are now back into their normal routines with work and school, families just like mine are planning their escape to the sunshine for a well deserved holiday. Not only are families looking to spend some time in the sunshine, they’re planning quality time with their brood which many families do not get throughout the normal working week and don’t necessarily want a bargain.

Research conducted by Tots To Travel, the UK’s leading baby and toddler friendly holiday company, indicates that families are looking for a lot more on their holiday and no longer snap up the bargain holidays that many travel companies promote in the January sales.

Young parents want a lot more than a cheap getaway

Gone are the days when a cheap and cheerful holiday is what families look for. There’s more considerations to accommodate such as family friendly resorts offering baby, toddler and children’s menus and facilities including highchairs and sterilisers, accommodation with interconnecting rooms and travelling time to a holiday destination with consideration to flight times that don’t disturb naps or meal times.

Young families are now a key driving force in the winter holiday market. Previous research has suggested that staycations were a key trend but recent research now suggests otherwise. Wendy Shand, Founding Director of Tots To Travel, comments that “for young parents, the overseas holiday is one of the key times in the year when everyone gets a chance to enjoy quality time together – and quality time that isn’t against the clock as can be the case at home.”

Holidays are to be cherished

With a husband who works full time and having a job myself where I work outside of the home for 25+ hours per week, our family holidays are something we absolutely cherish. We really look forward to spending quality time with each other and getting the chance to do things with our little boy that sadly we don’t get time to do at home. We yearn to spend some time in the pool, splashing around with our three year old and going out for long family walks and adventures without having to worry about the routine of bedtime and being overtired for the day ahead. Our summer holiday enables us to do that and we look forward to it to make memories with our little boy who is already growing up far too fast.

We also recognise that ticking all our boxes with child friendly accommodation, child friendly meals and facilities come at a price and we accept that and are willing to pay a certain premium to ensure we have the best holiday possible for our budget.  To us, the perfect holiday provides much more value than simply looking at the bottom line.

If like me and thousands of other young families, you’re looking to book a family friendly holiday to the sunshine, to jump in the pool and to enjoy long lazy days with the children, take a look at what Tots To Travel can offer and make it one to remember.