Some of the country’s poorest families could be offered cut-price low-season holidays at UK seaside towns in a new pilot scheme.
The project, backed by industry charity the Family Holiday Association, aims at increasing the well-being of participants while at the same time extending the season of resorts such as Blackpool, Bournemouth and Margate.
A similar scheme already operates in Flanders, where almost 100,000 families get a discounted break each year thanks to the generosity of travel industry partners.
FHA chairman Ian Reynolds explained: “The UK government takes the view that it is the job of the private sector to manage these types of projects. But thankfully, there are some more enlightened views within parliament, and we are discussing with MPs how such a scheme could work.”
Armed with recent research which proves holidays boost self-confidence, improve health and strengthen family bonds, the FHA hopes to convince the Government to stump up aid to finance a trial.
“In the long run these schemes are self-financing. People have a holiday, feel good about themselves and are motivated to get off benefits,” added Reynolds.
In Spain more than 1m elderly nationals get a free seaside holiday each. As well as improving health of those taking part, the Spanish project brings a positive off-season economic boost to coastal resorts which rely on tourism.