Single holidaymakers, and especially single parents with children, are being overcharged for what is often an inferior holiday.

According to the Consumers' Association magazine, Holiday Which, suitable holidays are far less cost-effective for lone adult travellers.

The report highlights complaints from lone parents that much-advertised free child places only apply when children are accompanied by two adults.

Louise Ryan, a single parent, said: "You see all the wonderful things in the travel agents - free child places - thousands of them. You go in there and you say one adult and two children and its leper time."

Ms Ryan scours holiday brochures for deals that do not discriminate against her, but says: "We always end up having to pay for two adults."

Single travellers can find better deals out of season

The Association of British Travel Agents, Abta, which represents travel agents and tour operators, admits that single travellers sometimes do have less choice.

The trade association says that it is the responsibility of the travel agency or tour operator to seek out good deals for customers.

An Abta spokesman, Keith Betton, said: "As a single person, you could perhaps look at the shoulder periods outside of the main school holiday time where prices will actually be better. Many tour operators will help single travellers at those times."

The biggest complaint from single travellers, according to today's report, is that in hotels, there is scant choice.

The lone hotel guest can choose between paying for a double room that is unnecessary, or paying a considerable single supplement for a room of lower standard.

Although some hotel chains do offer single guests a supplement-free room deal, the offers are often confined to weekends or off-peak times.

The Consumers' Association says that while this type of arrangement is better than nothing, all hotels should provide single travellers with single rooms at acceptable prices.
 

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