Virgin launches single-parent packages
Virgin Holidays is introducing long-haul package holidays for single-parent families in a bid to stop pricing discrimination.
The initiative is being launched with 10 Caribbean resorts, including all four resorts within the all-inclusive Elite Island Resorts Collection.
The operator said there are no current plans to extend it beyond the Caribbean.
The move comes after the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show there are nearly two million Brits in single-parent families.
Rosie Ferguson, CEO of UK single-parent charity Gingerbread, said she hopes other operators will follow suit.
"Families come in all shapes and sizes, and single parent families make up one in four families with children in the UK. But we constantly hear from single parents who find themselves ‘priced out’ of family activities," she said.
"All too often we see tickets, deals and memberships that offer family discounts – but only for couple families. That isn’t just frustrating for single parents; it’s also short-sighted of businesses, which are ignoring two million potential customers.
"These new offers from Virgin Holidays show that they appreciate the value of single parent families, and we hope other companies will follow in their footsteps."
Virgin’s single parent family room rates are available from October 1 and are subject to availability.
Virgin claims the initiative will save single parents an average of £398 for a seven-night package holiday in the Caribbean in the May half term holiday.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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