Parents 'want hotel restaurants to be welcoming'

Having a welcoming restaurant in a holiday resort is a real attraction for vacationers hoping to take their children away, one specialist has suggested.

While restaurant supplies could help improve the eating environment, Conrad Doyle of childfriendly.co.uk said pleasant waiters and waitresses are the most important contributing factor.

"They really want the reassurance before travelling that where they're going, the staff will be welcoming," he explained.

According to Mr Doyle, a survey by his organisation recently revealed many parents are afraid of showing up somewhere where their children's behaviour will be "frowned upon".

Mums and dads are much more interested in issues such as this than with how extensive a hotel's facilities are, he went on to claim.

Earlier this month, another study - compiled by Onepoll and Teletext holidays - showed 40 per cent of mothers 'dread' the annual family trip because of the stress involved with looking after their kids.