Latest news with #ElHaïry
Sydney Morning Herald
18-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Banning adults-only hotels is insane. Most children are intolerable
We were all children once, I know. But I wouldn't want to go on holiday today with the five-year-old me. And I wouldn't expect any of my friends to either. But the French, it seems, do. There was a mini furore this week in the European travel industry after it was reported that the French government is planning moves to make it illegal for hospitality venues such as hotels, campsites and restaurants to ban children. Sarah El Haïry, the high commissioner for childhood in France, said that she was ready to resort to new legislation to combat what she deemed a 'no kids trend' in the country. Her sentiments have been amplified by fears among mummy blogger types that France is getting too much like Belgium where, according to a report by Paris Match, one in 10 restaurants ban children. All of this was described by El Haïry as 'violence against children,' adding: 'A child shouts, laughs and moves … we are institutionalising the idea that silence is a luxury, and the absence of children is a luxury.' Consider me fully institutionalised. 'Ghoulish crime scene' We've all been in that queue to board a plane, watching the otherwise blissfully childless stare around, spiralling in panic at the sight of unruly toddlers, hoping they won't get a seat near them. Children do, indeed, shout, laugh and move. But unless you're a doting Italian Nonna, you're probably indifferent to their presence at best. Sometimes they do cute things. A child using an expletive out of the blue makes me guffaw. Loading But what children do a lot of the time during their waking hours is annoy you. And how you react to that might be an eyeroll, or an explosive demand that some headphones be used that the whole cabin doesn't have to listen to episodes of Teletubbies. As a stressed adult, I have a list of things that relax me on holiday, and the presence of children isn't one of them. I sat down to write this shortly after one of my closest friends posted a picture from the resort they are staying at in Lanzarote, Spain. It showed a swimming pool surrounded by hazard warning tape like a ghoulish crime scene. A child had defecated in the water.
The Age
18-06-2025
- The Age
Banning adults-only hotels is insane. Most children are intolerable
We were all children once, I know. But I wouldn't want to go on holiday today with the five-year-old me. And I wouldn't expect any of my friends to either. But the French, it seems, do. There was a mini furore this week in the European travel industry after it was reported that the French government is planning moves to make it illegal for hospitality venues such as hotels, campsites and restaurants to ban children. Sarah El Haïry, the high commissioner for childhood in France, said that she was ready to resort to new legislation to combat what she deemed a 'no kids trend' in the country. Her sentiments have been amplified by fears among mummy blogger types that France is getting too much like Belgium where, according to a report by Paris Match, one in 10 restaurants ban children. All of this was described by El Haïry as 'violence against children,' adding: 'A child shouts, laughs and moves … we are institutionalising the idea that silence is a luxury, and the absence of children is a luxury.' Consider me fully institutionalised. 'Ghoulish crime scene' We've all been in that queue to board a plane, watching the otherwise blissfully childless stare around, spiralling in panic at the sight of unruly toddlers, hoping they won't get a seat near them. Children do, indeed, shout, laugh and move. But unless you're a doting Italian Nonna, you're probably indifferent to their presence at best. Sometimes they do cute things. A child using an expletive out of the blue makes me guffaw. Loading But what children do a lot of the time during their waking hours is annoy you. And how you react to that might be an eyeroll, or an explosive demand that some headphones be used that the whole cabin doesn't have to listen to episodes of Teletubbies. As a stressed adult, I have a list of things that relax me on holiday, and the presence of children isn't one of them. I sat down to write this shortly after one of my closest friends posted a picture from the resort they are staying at in Lanzarote, Spain. It showed a swimming pool surrounded by hazard warning tape like a ghoulish crime scene. A child had defecated in the water.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
French adult-only holidays at risk as campaign launches to end child ‘intolerance'
Adult-only hotels and facilities could be under threat in France after a new campaign against the 'no kids trend' accuses them of dividing society and excluding children. The push to end adults-only travel and tourism comes amid a dispute over whether intolerance is growing against children in France. This has been seen in groups such as the French Federation of Nurseries, which has campaigned for children's right "to make noise". France's high commissioner for childhood, Sarah El Haïry, held a roundtable on Tuesday (May 27) with key players from the tourism and travel industry to discuss adult-only policies, as some politicians call for child-free spaces to be banned. "There is a growing intolerance, and we must not allow it to take hold," Ms El Haïry told broadcaster RTL. "Children and families are being pushed out and, in a way, this is real violence being experienced.' "It's not in our culture, it's not our philosophy, and it's not what we want to see as the norm in our country." 'A child shouts, laughs and moves … we are institutionalising the idea that silence is a luxury and the absence of children is a luxury,' she added to radio station RFI, according to The Times. The move against adult-only hotels, restaurants and other facilities is not aimed at couples who choose to remain childless, but at adults who do not want to be disturbed by children, she said. Ms El Haïry also said children are being put 'in front of a cartoon' on public transport due to people complaining about noisy children, putting pressure on parents to keep them quiet. The commissioner added that lawyers are mulling over whether it would be feasible to take legal action against establishments that do not allow children. However, some lawyers say that there is no need for a new bill because they argue adult-only spaces could already be breaching laws that prohibit discrimination against 'origin, gender, family situation or age,' The Times reports. While the Travel Companies Union roughly estimates that only three per cent of commercial offers are adult-only facilities, this is not the first time French officials have tried to end no-children zones. Socialist senator Laurence Rossignol introduced a bill a year ago that would make it illegal to ban children from venues in France. Ms Rossignol said at the time that the bill is aimed at promoting "a society that is open to children". The senator's bill proposed that "the exclusion of minors from living spaces, public spaces, commercial spaces, transport and any other exclusion that is not justified by safety requirements specific to children or by the lack of civil capacity also constitutes discrimination'. Ms Rossignol also responded to Ms El Haïry 's anti-adult-only campaign on X, stating: 'A year ago, when Ms El Haïry was Minister for Children, and to the utmost indifference of the government, I tabled a bill against no-kids places. 'I welcome her awareness. And if she wants to act, she should have this bill examined by Parliament.' While the socialist senator "is pleased that the government is taking up the issue', she doubts "the ability of commerce to self-regulate without a law that imposes a minimum requirement," and is therefore calling on the government to put its bill on the agenda of the Senate or the National Assembly. "We cannot allow our society to be organised around our intolerance of others, where people organise themselves to keep their distance from anyone who does not fit into their idea of their neighbours," she added in a statement on Wednesday.
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Adult-only hotels and holiday resorts could be banned in European country – as they are a ‘threat to society'
THE French government is planning to crack down on adult-only hotels, campsites and restaurants. The decision comes after some people claimed that there was a growing intolerance towards children in the country, which is also facing a falling birthrate. 4 Saint-Delis in Honfleur in Normandy is an adult-only hotel Credit: 4 Camp Laurent in southwest Franceis also adult-only Credit: Sarah El Haïry, the high commissioner for childhood, said the "no-kids trend" has caused "violence against children" and poses a threat to society, reports The Times. She also addressed those who complain about noisy children and how they are spreading the "idea that children are a nuisance" and putting pressure on parents to make sure they stay quiet. She added: "A child shouts, laughs and moves … we are institutionalising the idea that silence is a luxury and the absence of children is a luxury." El Haïry also said that government lawyers were currently looking at taking legal action against some hotels that refuse children completely. Many hotels in France advertise that they are adult-only, including Saint-Delis in Honfleur in Normandy, which charges €334-a-night (£280.12). The hotel promises an 'exclusive' and 'peaceful' experience. Some campsites are also adult-only, like Camp Laurent in southwest France. There are fears that France will follow the example of Belgium, where one in 10 restaurants now ban children, according toParis Match magazine. Laurence Rossignol, a socialist senator, is leading the campaign against adult-only venues and she plans to introduce a private member's bill making it illegal to ban children from hotels, campsites and restaurants. However, some lawyers are saying that there is no need for it to go this far, as banning children from such places is already illegal. The luxury hotel claims to make guests 'feel like they're abroad' with an adults only spa and golf course They argue that the ban falls under a law prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of "origin, gender, family situation or age". El Haïry will now be bringing together tourists and travel industry executives to encourage them to adopt a "pro-kids" approach. Some of those who argue for child-free zones claim they are necessary as children are becoming more unruly following a more 'positive parenting' approach that has grown in popularity over the past decade. Others have disagreed claiming that it is natural for children to be loud and want to run around. 4 Some critics are claiming that children have become increasingly unruly Credit: Getty Some travellers like having the choice for child-free hotels, with one person commenting on social media: "I only book adult-only and have loads of choice, both budget and luxury. "If only there were adult-only flights too." However, others felt differently, with one person stating: "I've never stayed adults only and can't really see the appeal, for me. "I like children and young people and imagine that adults only places are full of loved up couples and old grouches." Also, one woman visited an off-the-radar paradise island off the French coast – and flights from UK cost just £40 return. Plus, Eurocamp holidays in France cost less than UK breaks this summer – with £5pp a night stays, on-site pools & waterparks.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Adult-only hotels and holiday resorts could be banned in European country – as they are a ‘threat to society'
THE French government is planning to crack down on adult-only hotels, campsites and restaurants. The decision comes after some people claimed that there was a growing intolerance towards 4 Saint-Delis in Honfleur in Normandy is an adult-only hotel Credit: 4 Camp Laurent in southwest Franceis also adult-only Credit: Sarah El Haïry, the high commissioner for childhood, said the "no-kids trend" has caused "violence against children" and poses a threat to society, reports She also addressed those who complain about noisy children and how they are spreading the "idea that children are a nuisance" and putting pressure on parents to make sure they stay quiet. She added: "A child shouts, laughs and moves … we are institutionalising the idea that silence is a luxury and the absence of children is a luxury ." El Haïry also said that government lawyers were currently looking at taking legal action against some hotels that refuse children completely. Read more on family holidays Many hotels in France advertise that they are adult-only, including Saint-Delis in Honfleur in The Some France . There are fears that France will follow the example of Belgium, where one in 10 restaurants now ban children, according to Most read in News Travel Laurence Rossignol, a socialist senator, is leading the campaign against However, some lawyers are saying that there is no need for it to go this far, as banning children from such places is already illegal. The luxury hotel claims to make guests 'feel like they're abroad' with an adults only spa and golf course They argue that the ban falls under a law prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of "origin, gender, family situation or age". El Haïry will now be bringing together Some of those who argue for child-free zones claim they are necessary as children are becoming more unruly following a more 'positive parenting' approach that has grown in popularity over the past decade. Others have disagreed claiming that it is natural for children to be loud and want to run around. 4 Some critics are claiming that children have become increasingly unruly Credit: Getty Some travellers like having the choice for child-free hotels, with one person commenting on social media: "I only book adult-only and have loads of choice, both "If only there were adult-only flights too." However, others felt differently, with one person stating: "I've never stayed adults only and can't really see the appeal, for me. "I like children and young people and imagine that adults only places are full of loved up couples and old grouches." Also, Plus, 4 Others are labelling adult-only resorts as 'discriminatory' Credit: Getty
