As research reveals more families with young children are travelling to long-haul destinations including Sri Lanka, Thailand and Australia*, Emirates is launching a new programme, Flight Time Stories, encouraging families to get creative and take inspiration from their travels.
Flight Time Stories sees Emirates work with award-winning British author and illustrator duo, Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre, who have previously collaborated on children’s books including Pugs of the Frozen North, Oliver and the Seawigs and Jinks & O’Hare Funfair Repair.
Nine out of ten (88%) parents believe that holidays encourage their children to think more creatively; Emirates wants to help families continue this, long after their journey home.
Parents are invited to visit the Flight Time Stories website with their children and together submit their own holiday-inspired story, along with a colourful front cover design. Philip and Sarah will be taking inspiration from the stories for their next children’s book, which will be available in early 2017. Kids entering the Flight Time Stories competition could see elements of their own stories appear in the book, and one family will win a once-in-a-lifetime holiday for four to Dubai to provide them with inspiration for future stories.
‘Travelling is a great way for families to spend time together, exploring the world and creating new memories. Reading can also inspire families to discover new places and let their imagination grow. Our research shows that families get excited before their holidays by reading books (23%), looking at photos (72%) and drawing pictures (23%) about the destination – and once they’re back home, write their own stories about their favourite holiday memories (13%).
‘It’s encouraging to see more families travelling abroad with young children and creating incredible memories to inspire their own stories. We look forward to reading the nation’s Flight Time Stories in the weeks to come,’
To find out more about Emirates Flight Time Stories and to take part in the story competition, please visit: www.emirates.com/FlightTimeStories
