A new Censuswide survey by Beaches Resorts reveals every member of the family wants a seat on the plane.
The all-inclusive resort brand tapped into the ultimate experts in family travel, parents themselves, by polling more than 1,000 North American families with respondents ages 25-45. The results uncovered a growing desire to bring three or more generations together for more diverse and enriching family travel experiences.
Among the findings, 74 per cent of respondents who have taken a multi-generational vacation remain excited by the idea of extended family getaways, with 67 per cent of all parents prioritizing family travel to maximize time across generations.
Family first
Almost half of respondents are redefining their vacation preferences with a family-first mindset, prioritizing vacations that include multiple generations. In fact, 50 per cent of parents polled would prefer to take a multi-gen vacation over a vacation with just the kids – with 76 per cent agreeing travel is the ultimate way to make memories as an extended family.
Moreover, 57 per cent are interested in starting new family traditions centred around vacations with grandparents, with a resounding 69 per cent of parents eager for their children’s grandparents to join more of their family vacations.
While skip-generation trips have gained popularity, now more parents are eager to join the fun. In fact, 37 per cent of parents surveyed wished they could be part of grandparent-grandchild vacations, valuing the chance to create lasting memories together.
Travelling with grandparents
When it comes to grandparents, parents are connecting the tots: 70 per cent of respondents make the effort to facilitate time spent between their children and grandparents, with almost the same number of parents (67 per cent) wishing they’d spent more time with their own grandparents.
Of those parents who have taken a multi-generational vacation, 55 per cent are bringing their children’s grandparents along for the fun – a natural fit as 43 per cent said grandparents are traveling more than ever with almost half of them traveling internationally an average of twice per year, and 50 per cent of working grandparents taking PTO to go on vacation with their families.
According to the data, grandparents make the best travel buddies. Sixty-one per cent of respondents agreed that grandparents were more active than expected during travel, with 62 per cent citing they were more adventurous than expected.
When it comes to vacation planning, parents are tapping into this zest for adventure, with 63 per cent of parents saying vacations are more enriching when grandma is involved in the planning.
Seventy-two percent of parents said that grandparents are extremely helpful on vacation, with 59 per cent agreeing that having grandparents along for the trip eases stress. In fact, whereas a previous study by the Family Travel Association found that 50 per cent of grandparents covered all expenses on multi-gen trips, almost half of parents polled by Beaches Resorts (49 per cent) said they are willing to cover all expenses for grandparents to join their vacation.
On multi-gen vacations, 46 per cent of parents have booked/would book a second room for kids to stay with grandparents.
Parents and grandparents can rest easy that they are no longer cramping their kids’ vacation vibes. The data shows children are also placing value in spending time with family on vacation, with 72 per cent of respondents saying their kids have expressed an interest in travelling with their parents and grandparents.
Moreover, every moment counts, with 66 per cent saying their children would prefer family activities over the Kids Club at a hotel. This supports data uncovered in an earlier survey conducted by Beaches Resorts among parents of Gen Alpha children (those born in 2010 and later), where 70 per cent of traveling tweens preferred to enjoy activities with their parents while on vacation.
When presented with different criteria they look forward to when planning multi-gen vacations, the priority was on time spent together as a family, with options for activities (54 per cent), restaurants (54 per cent), large accommodations/connecting rooms (45 per cent) and the rare opportunity to have everyone in one place (36 per cent) valued most.
