A leading travel provider is advocating for a reassessment of traditional summer holiday scheduling in light of increasingly frequent heatwaves across Southern Europe and the escalating impacts of climate change Deniz Ugur, CEO of Bentour Reisen, suggested a potential shift in the timing of school breaks to alleviate pressure on peak travel periods and manage rising costs
Ugur proposed a staggered holiday system, potentially condensing the traditional summer break to three or four weeks and extending it with an additional two weeks in November This, he argues, would help distribute demand and offer greater flexibility for families
The introduction of “joker days” – flexible travel dates outside of peak seasons – was also highlighted as a mechanism to achieve lower prices and increased accessibility Ugur explained that concentrated demand at the start of holiday periods drives prices upwards, mirroring market fluctuations, while off-peak dates can often be significantly cheaper
Beyond the economic considerations, Ugur raised concerns about the learning environment within schools during periods of extreme heat, suggesting consideration for air conditioning or a reevaluation of the summer term
Current booking patterns already reflect a shift in traveller behaviour, with a growing preference for shoulder seasons like April, May and June and increased demand in October and November While Southern European destinations remain popular, concerns about rising temperatures are influencing choices Travellers are increasingly considering destinations further north, although capacity limitations and cost factors mean this isn’t a viable long-term solution for everyone
Ugur emphasized the continued importance of Mediterranean destinations, stating that more competitive pricing, achieved through a more dispersed holiday schedule, would be crucial for maintaining accessibility and affordability