The recent adjustment to the francophone school calendar, which has extended autumn holidays to two weeks, is boosting travel interest among families. Travel agency TUI reports that this longer break offers families the opportunity for more distant vacations and increased flexibility in choosing departure dates, often resulting in more favorable pricing.
Air travel remains the preferred option, with 86% of TUI’s francophone clients selecting flights to sunny destinations during the autumn holidays, a slight increase from 84% in the previous year.
Spain continues to be the most popular destination; however, some families are venturing further afield to locations such as the Dominican Republic, Egypt, and Tunisia. On average, families are spending €1,256 per person on these trips, marking a 7% rise from last year.
The first week of the holidays stands out as the busiest for air travel, accounting for 65% of all bookings. This surge in demand is driven by lower prices, which are generally 15% cheaper than those seen in the second week.
In addition to air travel, road trips are also experiencing a notable increase, with bookings rising by 13% compared to last year. Approximately half of these car travelers are heading to France, with a particular focus on coastal regions such as Brittany and the Côte d’Azur.
For a seven-night stay, families typically spend an average of €229 per person on accommodations, excluding expenses for petrol and tolls.