Make Multigenerational Travel Work for Your Family
In recent years, multigenerational family travel has emerged as a top trend, especially among families whose members are geographically separated. According to the Family Travel Association:1
- 54% of grandparents surveyed say they have planned and organized multigenerational travel experiences and half have taken a multigenerational trip in the past three years
- 40% of respondents are planning to take a trip in the next three years
River cruising, active or adventure trips, celebration travel, and luxury cruises top the list of travel experiences that families are seeking. While these trips can offer families good opportunities to reconnect, traveling with family of various ages, capabilities, and preferences is not without its challenges. Below are tips for making multigenerational travel work for your family:
- Before choosing a destination, have conversations with family members to learn about everyone’s interests and the types of things they'd like to see and do.
- Enlist the help of a professional travel agent or service to help plan your trip
- Communicate any special needs at the time of booking, such as cribs or highchairs for small children or mobility requirements for older adults
- Manage family members expectations ahead of time. Will you spend each day together as a group or go your separate ways? Will you prepare meals together, eat out, or a combination? If you’re eating out together as a large group, consider dining early before the crowds.
- Consider cruises and all-inclusive resorts. Both offer multiple dining options, as well as programs and activities geared toward different age groups and interests, including programs for children and teens. They can also help contain costs and eliminate surprise expenses like unfavorable currency exchange rates when traveling abroad.
1)“As Multigenerational Travel Increases, So Do the Benefits for All Ages.” Travelweekly.com, 1 APR 2024, https://www.travelweekly.com/Thought-Leadership/RIU-Multigenerational-Travel-Benefits/362703.