Questex's annual Multigenerational Travel Focus gives readers an insider’s look at the top trends fueling the popular niche as well as sales advice from top-producing multigen specialists. In addition to longer lead times for bookings, upscale accommodations and villas, cultural tours and adventure travel are changing the face of family vacations.
“Multigenerational [travel] is no longer about grandparents taking the kids and grandkids. I am seeing more boomer parents taking the adult children on family trips that the parents are paying or. I believe it’s the adult ‘children’ that are driving the decision on destination and type of trips resulting in a bit more exotic or adventurous travel,” says Eric Maryanov, president of All-Travel.
Families are also going the distance, with the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Central America on the horizon. “Travelers are looking for off-the-beaten-path destinations. Myanmar is a new, up-and-coming destination for multigenerational families. Colombia and Costa Rica are also on the radar,” reports Vanessa Parish of the Globus family of brands.
Additionally, glamping, surf camps, volcano hikes and eco-retreats (the kind that involve milking cows) have cropped up on client’s itineraries for several leading travel advisors. While Mexico is still a popular choice for multigenerational travelers, experts consider emphasizing cultural activities, like archaeological sites and ecological reserves, over all-inclusive services to secure the sale.
The travel planner also provides an update on multigenerational vacation mainstays, including theme parks, national parks and outdoor recreation and animated characters. The theme park feature previews new offerings at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios, including a new water park, Volcano Bay, opening in the next month and Sapphire Falls, a new on-site hotel.
Find the Multigenerational Travel Focus, along with Caribbean Family Focus, Hawaii Family Focus and Mexico Family Focus, at travelagentcentral.com/focus-series.