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QUINN-healthcare Family Travel Survey

Irish families still flock to Spain, despite the stress of travelling, survey finds.

03 June 2009

A QUINN-healthcare survey on family travel has found that, for 41% of Irish families, Spain continues to be the most popular holiday destination. The survey of 1000 adults nationwide by Millward Brown also found that, given the choice, only 38% of families would prefer to holiday in Ireland.

The vast majority (80%) of those surveyed believe that taking a family holiday in Ireland is expensive and with 78% agreeing that many family activities in Ireland are expensive. A majority of respondents (60%) would prefer to fly to their destination rather than drive or take a ferry though less than half believe that airlines do a good job of catering for families. Only 37% of people consider environmental factors when choosing their holiday destination.

Are we there yet?

The ‘are we there yet’ element still plays a part in holidaying with a family with 69% of respondents saying that entertaining children is difficult while travelling. More than half of those surveyed said they find travelling during family holidays a stressful experience. 37% of people said they would never travel with children under five.

Though Spain was the most popular choice for families, 71% agreed that Ireland has many family friendly attractions. Dublin Zoo and Fota Island were named as being among the most popular. Just over half of those surveyed felt they undertook enough activities with their families each year.

In response to the survey results, Sarah O’Neill, Occupational Health Advisor (RGN, RM, OHA) with Quinn-healthcare, offered the following tips to people planning to travel as a family this summer:

1. Plan Ahead: When planning a flight, take your children’s schedules into account. Planning around nap times, for example, can make the difference between a relatively peaceful flight and one that's frustrating for everyone. Also, allow more time than you think you need for security checks getting to the gates, and unexpected events.
And, of course, don't forget to bring nutritious snacks for your kids and for yourself; you don't want to be caught hungry with no food options in sight, and giving kids something to munch on can have a mellowing effect.

2. Prep The Kids: When you're travelling with young children, it's important that they know what to expect from the trip ahead of time, especially if you have a child who is resistant to change or is flying for the first time. Small children can become upset by the unexpected, so be sure they know ahead of time that they will be expected to sit quietly for a long period of time, may have to remove their shoes at a security checkpoint, etc. Reading children's books about travelling can be a non-threatening way to acclimate them to the process ahead of time.
For older kids, and for those who have already travelled, a verbal walk-through of the experience is fine.

3. Bring Portable Fun: If you're taking a long flight, it's wise to bring toys that travel well and can be used quietly. For younger children, this could include several "lift the flap" books, a colouring book, or a favourite doll. For older children, activity books, or travel versions of their favourite games can be mentally stimulating as well as engrossing. Teens can be charged with the task of packing their own "fun bag" to keep themselves busy.

4. Break Some Rules: When you’re travelling with children, it's a good idea to relax some rules for the sake of everyone's sanity. For example, while most of us put limits on the use of hand-held video games, those gadgets can be a godsend in the event of delayed flights and other mishaps. The same goes for food. While a balanced, healthy diet can provide the important energy your kids need, and can stave off mood swings, having a few treats in your bag can ease transitions for young kids. In addition, allowing your kids to eat their favourite fast food can help when in an area with unfamiliar food choices, especially for children who do better with routine and familiarity.

5. Plan Something For Everybody: The trick to a good family holiday is to plan something for everybody. If there's not one thing that can make every member of the family equally ecstatic, it's fine to plan different activities that will appeal to different family members, just as long as each day contains at least one activity that everyone will enjoy. For example, a tour of the city can end with a visit to a children's museum, or a visit with adult relatives can include games for the kids or a trip to the local park.

6. Don't Forget Stress Management: In the event of a delayed flight, lost luggage, or the myriad other minor crises that can come with travel, it's important to keep a cool head and have a few stress management tricks up your sleeve. Remember to breathe deeply if you start feeling tense. Try a few yoga stretches with the kids before and after a flight or long car ride. And remember to focus your attention on the trip itself and all the fun that comes with it, rather than on the hassles of travel. Those hassles will be over shortly, but you can always enjoy the fond memories of a good family vacation. And with a little balance and forethought, you can find the perfect recipe for fun for your entire family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUINN-healthcare is a registered business name of QUINN Insurance Limited (Under Administration). Your insurance is provided by QUINN Insurance Limited (Under Administration), regulated by the Financial Regulator and registered in Ireland, No 240768. QUINN-healthcare Limited acts as an agent for healthcare products for QUINN Insurance Limited (Under Administration) and is a private company limited by shares, regulated by the Financial Regulator and registered in Ireland, No 242048. The registered office of QUINN Insurance Limited (Under Administration) and QUINN-healthcare Limited is at Dublin Road, Cavan, Co Cavan.