Holidays during term are to be discouraged

The Scottish Executive and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) are to encourage parents to book during school holidays instead.

Earlier this year the executive changed the rules to reclassify term-time holidays as truancy.

Parents who persistently ignore the rules could face fines of up to �1,000.

Under the new campaign ABTA will prompt its members to remind parents that term-time family breaks will not be authorised by schools.

They will be asked to consider family-friendly packages instead.

If you are going with your family you don't have to have to take them off school to get the best deals Sandy MacPherson ABTA

ABTA's regional chairman in Scotland, Sandy MacPherson, said the organisation was coming at the issue from a positive angle.

He admitted that it would be "foolhardy" for members to turn away business from parents seeking to book during term time.

Travel agents would instead be encouraging them to take a different course of action.

"What we are saying to members is to make sure that the people know that if they book early they can get very good early booking discounts," said Mr MacPherson.

"They can get the best choice of holidays and perhaps most importantly they can get the best chance of getting what we call free child places or discounted places.

"It is very much saying to the public that if you are going with your family you don't have to have to take them off school to get the best deals."

Risk to education

The move came as Scottish travel agents prepared to launch their summer holiday advertising campaigns.

Meanwhile, the executive has tightened up absence and attendance guidance to mean that term-time holidays will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

Deputy Education Minister Euan Robson said: "Parents need to be aware that missing school for whatever reason can have a high price in terms of a child's education.