The bargain ‘summer’ holidays … in October

A TRAVEL group has been censured by watchdogs after it promoted bargain ‘summer’ holidays – to be taken in September and October.

TUI, formerly known as Thomson, ran a TV ad in June to drum up business at a time when millions of British families were enjoying a heatwave.

But it failed to make it clear that the ‘summer’ trips could only be taken between September 1 and October 31 – when many families will be sending their children back to school.

One advert offered a holiday to Turkey for £279 per person and included the message: ‘Perfect summer holidays that put you in the middle.’

TUI argued that its summer holiday booking period runs from April 1 to October 31.

And Clearcast, which pre-vets TV commercials, said that autumn does not officially start until the middle of September.

But the Advertising Standards Authority ruled today that TUI’s ad was ‘misleading’.

Consumers would interpret ‘summer holidays’ as being available in June, July and August – ‘all commonly referred to as summer months’, it said.