We at Times Online Travel like to be ahead of the curve, so we have been asking around a few of the great and the good of travel to find out how 2008 is shaping up.

What do our panel of experts think you, the readers, are choosing for the year ahead?. Do bookings show us travelling closer to home, or are we still ignoring all the carbon footprint scare and setting off for South America?

1. Siân Williams, founder of Baby Friendly Bolt Holes

Sian founded the site in September, 2006, after working in the luxury travel market and having a baby. In under two years the site has grown from 10 UK-based properties to becoming runner-up in Yahoo Website Find of the Year 2007.

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BACKGROUND

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“My prediction is that ‘Parent-Friendly’ will replace ‘child-friendly ‘ as a mantra for family travel," says Sian. "The boutique hotel generation is growing up and having children, and as such they are demanding more from family holidays than simply child-friendly facilities.

"A new breed of boutique hotels, self-catering cottages and apartments are emerging with cutting-edge style for parents and children alike. The Cove in Cornwall, for example, is offering Easter egg hunts and painting along-side ‘yoga in the yurt’ this March.”

2. Emmanuel Burgio, founder of US-based travel boutique Blue Parallel

Emmanuel Burgio was born in Holland, raised in France, studied in the UK and was only 30 when he moved to the US to set up Blue Parallel travel. In so doing he opened up high-end eco-adventure and the culture of Latin America to the cognoscenti.

“We are witnessing the increase in 2008 of adventure family travel that is multigenerational. We are finding families requesting different itineraries for different ages, and going for the idea of being reunited at the end of the day around a bonfire, or authentic ‘asado’, to share stories about their day.

"We are getting particular requests for Peru, where there is much to learn about the culture, and natural wonders such as the Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia”.

3. Andrew Dunn, managing director and founder of Scott Dunn

At 22, Andrew wanted to ski for free, so set up his own ski company. Twenty years later, the company boasts 70 per cent repeat business and a turnover of £20m, and the young ski bum expanded his vision to include Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, India, Arabia, and Latin America. Recently, he set up ‘Responsible Tourism’ – the Scott Dunn Charitable Fund for carbon offsetting.

“I predict a growing trend for ‘soft’ family adventures throughout the world in 2008, a trend that we are already experiencing increased demand for. When the brood have grown bored of the beach, a soft family adventure is just the ticket for injecting fun, excitement, learning and passion for travel and culture into children’s lives. Having children does not mean the end of adventure, if anything it is just the beginning.

4. Mandy Ley-Morgan, marketing manager of Luxury Family Hotels

Mandy began her career in the travel industry in 1991 with Thomson Holidays, and is now marketing manager for Luxury Family Hotels owned by parent company von Essen hotels.

“Over the past six months, we have noticed the average length of stays at our luxury family country hotels double from two nights to four. Our customers are now making the UK either their main or second holiday of the year - instead of previously having their big holidays abroad in France or Spain. Customers are telling us that they wish to reduce their carbon footprint, are fed up with long security airport queues and that there are now more family-friendly holiday options in the UK.”

5. Justin Cole, general manager of OctopusTravel

Justin was appointed gm in March 2007, having worked with easyjet, and co-founded Newview Communications in 2000, an internet and marketing consultancy.

"I know, having young children myself, that travelling with them can make holidays very stressful. Trunki – the world’s first ride-on suitcase for kids - is a great idea to keep them amused - and it is practical as well!"

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