The travel agency of mom and dad

Cape Town, Camps Bay. 111216. Edwina Sauls takes a quick pic of her friends Siphokazi Ntongambini, Ntomtikele Mehlwana and Busiswa Jolingana(all from Wallacedene) while enjoying their public holiday on Camps Bay beach. Picture Courtney Africa

Cape Town, Camps Bay. 111216. Edwina Sauls takes a quick pic of her friends Siphokazi Ntongambini, Ntomtikele Mehlwana and Busiswa Jolingana(all from Wallacedene) while enjoying their public holiday on Camps Bay beach. Picture Courtney Africa

Published Aug 27, 2012

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London - Happy news for parents enjoying a holiday with young children: the pleasures of family travel could last for several more years.

If a survey published recently is to be believed, millions of young adults are forsaking Club 18-30 holidays for the chance to sip sherry on the veranda with their parents – and let them pick up the bill.

Almost two million British parents are expected to take their adult children on holiday with them this year, according to a survey by LV Travel Insurance, which found that the average age of a son or daughter joining their parents on holiday is 30.

The firm’s managing director, Selwyn Fernandes, said: “Young adults, and even some middle-aged ones, are trying to save money where they can, and holidaying with the parents is becoming a growing trend. There’s nothing more relaxing.”

Sarah English, 30, of Liverpool, travelled with her family to France and New York. “I love going on holiday with my family. I’m close to my parents and my younger brother. We’ve been to France and New York, and although we have quite an active schedule when we’re there, there’s nothing more relaxing. As a single homeowner, and having my own business, things can be quite pressured.

“A trip with my family means that it’s more financially viable. Although I love going away with my friends, there’s a different pace to our holidays.

 

Katie Przybyl, 28, from south London, travelled to Croatia.

“In the past three years I have been on holiday twice, both times with my parents. In 2010 we went sailing in Croatia and my parents covered the cost. This year, my sister Alina, 24, and I went sailing in Croatia with my dad again.

“This time he requested we contribute £100 each, but in the end my mum gave us £200 each to cover the contribution. If it wasn’t for these trips, I wouldn’t be able to afford a decent holiday.

“I’d like to be able to help out but for now, although I get regular pay rises, they just seem to be eaten up by bills.”

Jason Parmeter, 22, of Newbury, travelled with his mum to Portugal.

“I go on holiday every year and I’ve just come back from the Algarve in Portugal, where I shared a room with my mum,” he said.

“The problem is, we’ve become accustomed to our own ways of doing things. She’ll wake up at 5am and throw the curtains open to read, and I’m: ‘What the…?’ Then at 6am she’ll put the towels on the sunlounger. She doesn’t like to leave the hotel past 7pm, which is like midday to me.

“The jobs just aren’t out there. So everyone either goes on holiday with their parents or not at all.” – The Independent

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