What Do Multigenerational Families Want on Vacation?

The travel industry is seeing a rise in multigenerational family vacations, and these travelers are prioritizing quality time with grandparents, extended family interactions and more, according to a new survey released by all-inclusive resort brand Beaches Resorts, in conjunction with Censuswide.

More than 1,000 North American families with respondents ages 25-45 were polled for the report — here are the top takeaways.

Parents Are Prioritizing Trips With Extended Family

Beaches’ data reveals that 49% of parents polled are swapping solo trips for multigen options, with 50% of the group preferring to take a multigen vacation over a vacation with just the kids. Seventy-six percent agree that travel is the ultimate way to make memories with extended family, and 74% who have already taken a multigenerational vacation remain excited by the idea of them.

Quality time is a top motivator for multigenerational travel, with two-thirds of those surveyed prioritizing family travel to maximize quality time across generations.

Trips Focus on Nostalgia and Grandparents

Grandparents are also taking center stage on vacation, with 60% of parents saying their core childhood vacation memories included their grandparents, and 70% of parents reporting that they are eager to facilitate more time between their own children and their parents (and 67% say they wish they spent more time with their own grandparents).

Of those parents who have taken a multigen vacation, 55% bring their own parents along. As a whole, 43% of grandparents are traveling more than ever, with almost half traveling internationally an average of twice per year, and 50% using PTO for family vacations if they are still working

The survey also found that grandparents are taking on a more active role in family vacations. Sixty-one percent of respondents agreed that grandparents were more active than expected during travel, with 62% citing they were more adventurous than expected. They’re also taking part in the travel-planning process, with 63% of parents noting that vacations are “more enriching when grandma is involved in the planning,” according to the report.

Family Vacations Provide Cost-Saving Benefits

Multi-generational travel also offers cost-saving benefits, with 72% of parents saying that kids have expressed interest in having grandparents join vacations, and 59% agreeing that having grandparents along for the trip eases financial stress. In fact, almost half of parents polled (49%) said they are willing to cover all expenses just for grandparents to join their vacation, and 46% of those surveyed say they have booked, or would book, a second room for the children to stay with grandparents.

Kids’ Preferences Move Away From Kids’ Clubs

Additionally, the Beaches’ data shows children are also placing value in spending time with family on vacation, 66% of parents saying their children would prefer family activities over the Kids Club at a hotel.

Other top priorities include options for activities (54%), dining (54%), spacious accommodations and connecting rooms (45%) and having the entire family in one spot (36%).

This article was generated by AI and based on a press release distributed by Beaches Resorts. It was reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.