One of today’s hottest travel trends is a family affair. Literally, multi-generational travel is blipping strong on the radar, with bookings approaching pre-pandemic levels. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. It’s not uncommon to see two, three, or even four generations of extended family members packing their bags and boarding a plane to Europe, skiing in Vermont or sinking their toes in the sand on beaches up and down the East Coast.
We know. Traveling with just your immediate family can be a challenge at times. Throw a few teenagers, grandma and a stubborn toddler into the mix, and you could really have your hands full. However, with just a teensy bit of effort, traveling with a wide swing of demographics is an amazing way to connect, celebrate milestone anniversaries, share experiences and make more memories than you ever thought possible. Here are some tips and tricks to keep multi-generational vacation pain points from coming along for the ride.
Keep the Kids Happy – Happy kids. Happy parents. And happy grandparents too. Have a wide variety of offerings so everyone involved can make the getaway their own even though they are not alone. Suggest activities in the area so guests can pick and choose what they want to do. Maybe Dad takes the kids to the water park while Aunt Nancy and Mom settle in poolside. A personalized experience is a positive experience.
Get it Together – In some respects, multi-generational travel walks a fine line. In order to be successful, it has to allow travelers time away from each other to enjoy activities they want to do and, at the same time, be flexible enough to offer ventures that appeal to a group. Think evening cruises, places where families can explore their roots, multi-cultural dining options, nearby museums and exciting events where the payoff is a grand adventure for all.
Fill the Bucket – Now more than ever, people want to tackle their bucket lists. We all have places we want to go, things we want to do and accomplishments we want to add to our life resume. Potential vacationers want to know all the can’t-find-this-anywhere-else things your destination can offer. The unique experiences. The one-of-a-kind outings. Make it known that you can make their multi-generational adventure a reality.
Unpack & Come Back – Give guests reasons to return to your locale year after year. Packages, discounts, engaging accommodations – it all comes into play. Offer options for future travel and opportunities to make the next trip even bigger, better and bolder than the present one. Socialize a bit. Make people feel they are part of another family – yours.
Reach your goals and navigate today’s ever-changing marketplace with the award-winning travel and tourism marketing experts at Dana Communications. Contact Lynn Kaniper at 609.466.9187 ext. 117 or lkaniper@danacommunications.com today.
