Weak pound hits school travel
The weak pound is increasing the cost of school travel by as much as 10%, according to research by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust.
In a report out this week, it says school travel providers are concerned about the future logistical challenges of travel after leaving the EU.
Its research showed there’s been a drop in travel to traditional favourites like Paris, Belgium and Germany.
Meanwhile, some operators are reporting that school travel bookings are up for Australia, Spain, Portugal and the Caribbean.
ABTOT fears children risk missing out from cultural and educational experiences, learning new skills, charity work and personal development obtained through school travel.
It says it’s a double blow to parents alongside the recent ruling by the Supreme Court restricting travel during term time.
"While family holidays are increasingly expensive for parents, school-organised trips provide access to unique, cultural, sporting and educational experiences that many children can’t gain as a family or in a classroom," said Paul Fakley, development director of ABTOT.
"Parents are being hit from both sides when attempting to fund trips abroad for their children, whether with schools or as families. For organisers, the challenge is to make every penny count, avoiding unnecessary expense during a time when value has never been more important."
According to ABTOT members, health and safety, value for money and booking with reputable providers were the top priorities for parents booking school travel for their children.
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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