Citing United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) data, VIA Rail Canada notes that 50 percent of USTOA tour operator members cited an increase in multigenerational travel, or "grand travel," in 2011. In addition, VIA Rail Canada noted that a new study by Preferred Hotels indicated that nearly 21 million people or 40 percent of U.S. leisure travelers took a multi-generational trip in 2011. VIA Rail also cited the 2012 Virtuoso Luxe Report that reaffirms that family and multigenerational travel will be the number one trend in luxury travel this year.
The bottom line: traveling as a family – children, parents, and grandparents all together makes the travel experience that much more enjoyable, especially by train, VIA Rail says.
VIA Rail Canada says it makes it easy for children and grandchildren to share the experience of land cruising together.
"The fascinating variety of cabins with everything so perfectly and efficiently designed, the enormous windows to a world rushing by, the cozy berths, the rhythms and sounds of the cars, the distant roar of the engines – these are enduring, vivid pleasures, " VIA Rail says.
The train journey is augmented by the convivial mingling among passengers from all over the world, the charismatic conductors and time for the family to relax together. A vacation by train may be the best, and certainly one of the easiest and most comfortable of all possible ways to treasure family or even better, multigenerational family time together, VIA Rail says.
Nearing completion of a $923 million system-wide renovation program, VIA Rail says it offers everything for an ideal family or multigenerational vacation. Any route families choose to experience, VIA Rail offers something for everyone – plenty of dining options, educational sessions, and most importantly, value, VIA says.
Families exploring Eastern Canada this summer aboard VIA’s Ocean route between Montreal and Halifax will be enriched by the Maritime Learning Experience. The enhanced service combines Sleeper Touring class accommodations with an onboard educational program serving as a cultural preview for those passengers traveling to New Brunswick or Nova Scotia.
VIA also offers deals for both children and adults. Children under two years of age travel free; kids two to eleven travel for 50 percent off in Economy Class and are entitled to other discounts in Business, Sleeper, Touring and Sleeper Touring classes. Seniors 60 years and older also are eligible for discounts – further incentive for grandparents to plan a trip with their grandchildren. Large family groups, of 10 or more, receive a group discount and for extra-large families, one person travels free for every twenty paying customers.
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