Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The last decade has seen a slight rise in birth rates in the UK, to 1.9 children
per family. While this is the highest figure since 1973, it is still lower than
the 2.93 of 1964 (Royal Geographical Society, 2011).
Nickerson and Jurowski (2001: 19) consider the use of the family
holiday as 'a time to reconnect as a family'. With an increase in the
proportion of parents who work and, for some, an increase in disposable
income, alongside limited time spent with children due to the constraints
of working life, participation in family tourism is seen as an opportunity
to spend quality time together. Consequently, children may be actively
encouraged to participate in the making of purchasing decisions. Research
carried out by Eurocamp indicates that even toddlers are instrumental in
the holiday decision-making process, with a significant number of parents
basing their choice of holiday on the best option for their toddler (Home
While Away, 2011). Travelling with young children is considered stressful
and it is evident that many operators do not cater well for families with
small children (see Chapter 9).
Family Spending
In order to consider the volume and value of the family tourism market,
it is important to consider some statistics related to household composi-
tion and family expenditure in the UK. Chapter 3 provides an overview of
market structure and size. While the number of households in the UK has
increased significantly since 1961, the average household size has decreased,
and a smaller proportion of households contain children. Those households
that do have children have fewer children than in 1961, concurrent with the
lower birth rate evidenced in the UK over the course of the past 50 years
(ONS, 2011; Royal Geographical Society, 2011).
The Role of Grandparents in the Family Structure
In recent years grandparents have started to play a more significant role in
family tourism, often accompanying their own offspring and grandchildren
on family holidays, as well as taking grandchildren on trips themselves.
According to NetMums and Eurocamp there has been a considerable growth
in family holidays that have included grandparents in the UK in recent years
(Home While Away, 2011). As the role played by grandparents in everyday
family life increases, the demand for holidays for the extended family has
increased commensurately. The research indicated that 75% of UK families
with young children were planning a summer holiday with grandparents in
2011. Just as holidays are seen as a way of reconnecting with family through
participation in quality time, so parents see breaks for the extended family as
a way of strengthening ties with their own parents, who, research suggests,
play an increasingly significant role in everyday life (Home While Away,
