TL;DR
- TUI announced this week that Free Child Places will now include Mexico and the Dominican Republic for the first time, launching for Summer 2027 bookings.
- Over 30 accommodations across both destinations, starting with 10 hotels available from yesterday (October 16).
- New direct flights launching in 2026: Cardiff to Cancun and Belfast to Punta Cana, making long-haul more accessible for families across the UK.
Something shifted in the UK family travel market over the past year. Long-haul destinations stopped feeling like “special occasion only” territory and started becoming genuine options for summer holidays. The numbers back it up: long-haul family bookings grew 14-15% year-on-year, and families are noticing that guaranteed Caribbean sunshine can actually work out more cost-effective than unpredictable European summers when you factor in the whole picture.
Which makes this week’s news from TUI particularly timely.
On Tuesday, TUI became the first major tour operator to extend its Free Child Places programme to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Summer 2027 bookings went live yesterday, with over 30 properties across both destinations (10 available at launch, with more joining in March 2026).
What to Know
The Free Child Places offer works the same way it does for existing destinations: one child travels free (flights, accommodation, food and transfers included) for every two full-paying adults. The free place typically goes to the youngest child if you’ve got multiple kids on the booking, and it’s usually available for children aged 2-16, depending on the property.
For families who’ve been watching long-haul prices and wondering when it might make sense, this creates a genuine value proposition. When you save one child’s full fare (which typically runs £1,000-£1,500 depending on board basis and destination), the cost comparison with peak-season Mediterranean holidays starts looking very different.
The UK data on school holiday pricing tells the story: families face an average additional cost of £1,552 when booking during school holidays versus term time. That pricing pressure is one reason families have been exploring long-haul markets where the weather is guaranteed and the experience feels more substantial for the money.
Here’s Where It Gets Good
TUI’s opened the booking window a couple of months ahead, which matters for a few practical reasons.
Availability: Summer 2027 school holiday slots at premium all-inclusive resorts will sell out early. The 10 hotels launching now give families first pick of dates and room categories before inventory tightens.
Pricing: Travel costs have been rising (up 4.2% on average year-on-year, with some destinations seeing 11%+ increases). Locking in 2027 prices now means families avoid potential rate increases that might hit between now and then.
Payment flexibility: TUI’s low deposit options (as low as £75 per person) mean minimal upfront commitment, with payment plans stretching up to 12 weeks before departure. That gives families over a year to spread the cost.
The Regional Flight Factor
TUI’s also launching two new direct routes in 2026 that make these destinations more accessible for families outside London:
- Cardiff to Cancun (bi-weekly from April 2026)
- Belfast International to Punta Cana (weekly from June 2026)
This builds on TUI’s existing network of departures from 23 UK regional airports, which reduces travel stress for families who’d otherwise face long drives or connecting flights just to get to their starting point.
Intel Worth Knowing
Both Mexico and the Dominican Republic have been showing strong momentum in UK traveller interest. Cancun ranked as the top international summer destination for American travellers in 2025, and UK families have been following the same pattern. The Dominican Republic consistently appears in top Caribbean family destination lists, and Mexico’s Grand Costa Maya region is emerging as a fresh option now that the new Tulum Airport has opened up easier access.
The weather guarantee matters more than it used to. Families who’ve experienced disappointing European summers are increasingly willing to trade flight time for sunshine certainty, especially when the cost difference has narrowed so much.
The Practical Bit
If you’re wondering who this works for: families with children aged 2-12 sit in the sweet spot for Free Child Places eligibility. Multi-generational groups (grandparents, parents and kids travelling together) also benefit, as the structure works well for spreading costs across the booking.
For families who’ve been priced out of peak-season Europe, or first-time long-haul families looking for guided experiences where the brand name reduces anxiety, TUI’s scale and reputation provide reassurance.
What Happens Next
- Now: Summer 2027 bookings are live
- March 2026: Additional properties join the collection
- April 2026: Cardiff-Cancun direct flights launch
- June 2026: Belfast-Punta Cana direct flights launch
The booking window starting now gives families time to plan, budget and secure preferred dates before the summer rush hits. For anyone who’s been tracking long-haul family options, this is worth adding to the radar.
Agent Advantage Insight
The timing creates an opportunity for proactive conversations with clients who booked 2026 summer holidays. If they’ve already committed to next year, they’re likely thinking ahead about 2027. Leading with “Mexico just became affordable for families” opens up forward planning discussions backed by concrete savings.
