Family holiday sales plunge as Goldtrail failure hits prices

The struggling family market has been further hit by the collapse of Goldtrail Holidays, which has pushed up summer prices to Turkey by as much as a third.

Agents had reported a dramatic decline in late bookings for family holidays, even before the collapse, due to the recession.

Anthony Goord, owner of Peter Goord Travel, said just 2% of passengers booked from the beginning of July were children, down from 9% five years ago.

“Families don’t seem to have the money they did in the past. And with Goldtrail going bust, all the other holiday companies have put their prices up,” he said.

However, Paul Cowley, commercial director of Turkey specialist operator Wings Abroad, said although Turkey flight prices had increased by up to a third, they had since returned to normal.

Kinver Travel senior travel consultant Kim Kettley said the lack of discounts and free child places was contributing to the fall in family bookings.

She also reported operators adding surcharges for children staying at self-catering apartments, which means it is often cheaper to book four adults than a family of four.

RM Adams Travel partner Graham Ecob said the agency would usually expect up to 30% of its lates bookings to come from families, but this year it is just 9%.

Patrick Daly, head of public relations and development for the Association of British Tour Operators to France, said many families were booking self-drive camping and self-catering breaks. The association’s best-performing operators have reported sales growths of up to 30%.