Nearly half of children (46%) say they are bored, and keen for a change – as their parents take them to the same holiday destinations year after year.
One in seven kids, aged six to 11, believe their parents are “too bossy” when it comes to arranging vacations – and half of these youngsters feel they should have more of a say in planning family trips.
And the poll, of 600 children in this age range, and their parents, found that 37% of mums and dads confess they are simply stuck in their comfort zone – with a quarter not knowing where else to go.
But nearly half of well-intentioned parents (44%) claim they keep booking the same getaway as they believe that's what their children want.
The study was commissioned by TUI – and, following the findings, for two days only (starting today, April 3), the travel agency will be renaming two of its stores.
TUI's Lord Street store, in Liverpool, will be renamed to “Paddling Pool”, and its Metrocentre store, in Newcastle, will become “Sandcastle”.
With help from retail agents at these locations, kids will get the chance to let their imagination run wild and plan their next family break – with the most creative suggestions winning a dream family holiday.
Belinda Vazquez, of TUI, said: “With big imaginations, little ones can offer the best inspiration to help parents break out of holiday habits, and swap the “same-old” for exciting new destinations.
“Whether it’s a winter holiday to Norway, or a sunny beachside escape to Hawaii, we might not be able to guarantee talking snowmen, or a visit from island gods, but we are here to bring your child’s imaginations to life.”
The study also found that 83% of all mums and dads polled have let their kids have at least some say in the planning of holidays.
And 30% of mums and dads, who have sought input from their little ones, admitted they come up more creative, inventive, or imaginative ideas than they would – with 23% saying their children propose getaway destinations they wouldn’t think of themselves.
The big screen in particular, is a source of inspiration for kids – with 63% saying their kids have asked to visit locations featured in movies.
Such places include New York, thanks to Home Alone 2; Norway, due to Frozen; London, inspired by Paddington; and Hawaii – after seeing it in Lilo & Stitch, and Moana.
The TUI study, carried out through OnePoll, also revealed what children’s dream holidays would consist of – including stays on a spaceship, in a mermaid’s underwater castle, and on a pirate ship.
Belinda Vazquez added: “Our expert teams bring a breadth of destination, hotel, and resort knowledge, combined with their own inspiration, so it’s only natural we give them their biggest challenge yet – making our littlest customers happy, too.”
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