French Travel News-2010/2011 | Holidaymakers choosing more flexible arrangements

Thursday, January, 27th at 14.20 by Deborah Bates

Brits jetting off on French holidays are choosing more flexible packages, allowing them to change the duration of their break more easily.

According to figures released by Jet2, the travel industry could expect to see a decline in the number of traditional, 7-day or 14-day holidays over the coming year. Some holiday specialists have recognised this, and begun offering trips that can extend to as much as 40 days.

Life coach Jo Orgill has some theories as to why this trend has developed, telling Easier.com: "The ideal trip duration varies for all of us and at different times we may want more or less time away. For many, a nine-night trip is the ideal, as it enables people to have a clear, seven-day holiday between their travel days at either end of the trip."

"By having more than a week away we feel we have a better work/life balance and as a result, feel more rested and less stressed. Very often, a two-week holiday can leave people with time on their hands. The fact that a nine-night holiday only uses five or six days of a holiday allocation reduces the stress that many workers feel - that their leave time is so precious they must maximise enjoyment of every minute."

Additionally the manging director of Jet2, Steve Heapy, told Travel Daily: "Two weeks away may be what we aspire to, but work commitments and a lack of holiday allowance can often make it impossible. But by carefully selecting the departure date, customers can book less days off work yet spend more time on the beach."