Credit crunch heralds return of the family holiday

The credit crunch seems to be having one positive outcome for some families - because it is encouraging them to spend more time together.

Research from Saga Travel Insurance found that more adults are now going on holiday with their parents again in a bid to get cheaper deals on accommodation and free childcare for the little ones.

Some 44 per cent of Britons said they had returned to doing this, with 29 being the average age to resume the habit.

Andrew Goodsell, Saga chief executive, said: "It is encouraging that a positive outcome of the credit crunch hitting younger travellers could be that families, including grandparents, are getting to spend more time together."

However, it could be that going on such a holiday makes people less likely to socialise, with only 36 per cent of families saying they make new friends abroad, compared to 50 per cent of those who go in groups.

Those looking for a family friendly holiday destination could consider booking breaks to Thailand.

The south Asian country recently won an award for the Best International Family Holiday Destination of 2008 in a poll carried out by Today's Traveller magazine.

Thailand could also be easy on the wallet, with accommodation costing as little as £2.50 a night in some areas.