Would you consider France as a family holiday destination?

Brexit effect sees Croatia and Mexico enter Top 10

As a child, you were much more likely to holiday in France with your family (if they were able to venture abroad) than you would be as a child today.

France has experienced a significant decline as a destination for British family holidays overseas, while Spain forges ahead as the top destination. Greece, Portugal and the United States are also gaining ground at the expense of France, according to new research by TakeTheFamily.com

Spain has the largest share of the market, with 38% of families taking holidays there last year, up from 28% in 2007 and 33% in 1997. France is firmly in second place with 18%, but family visitor numbers have halved
since the millennium.

This decline is driven primarily by the growth in air capacity across UK airports, making it relatively cheaper and easier for families to travel further afield. Yet few other countries offer families the same diversity,
from canoeing in the Ardèche to snow-biking in the Alps, from great beaches and countryside to fantastic cities. And France remains the top inbound destination for international visitors globally.

The study shows that Turkey suffered in 2016 and 2017 to the benefit of Greece and Western Europe, especially Portugal, but is experiencing revived fortunes in bookings for this summer. Mexico and Croatia made the Top 10 in 2017 for summer holidays. The US is the only long-haul destination consistently in the Top 10 over the past 20 years, but long-haul accounts for only 10% of family holiday travel.

Britain is still the overall family holiday or break favourite: of the 34 million family holidays taken last year, 19 million were taken in the UK, compared with 15 million abroad. The continued weakness of the pound against the euro will make Britain a popular choice for the foreseeable future.

Beach and seaside resort holidays continue to be the most popular family draw, with 44% of families saying they had enjoyed this type of break in the past three years. City breaks took second spot, with 26%, countryside holidays with 19% and holiday parks on 18%.

Full details of Take the Family’s family holiday market research

What are your views?  Would you take your family to France for a holiday, or are there other destinations that you prefer?