Trying to Please Everyone: Multi-Generation Travelers
Edited by Jennifer L. Price
 Who are you going to be traveling with this summer?
If you’re like 80 percent of the parents and grandparents responding to a
survey, “hanging out with the family” is your pastime of choice. It's
about staying close: When multiple generations of families travel together,
they're seeking the opportunity to connect over leisure activities all ages can
enjoy.
As many as 70 percent of respondents would choose to spend
their vacation time playing with the kids over adult-only activities such as
golf (15 percent) and spa (24 percent), and 79 percent enjoy exploring towns and
cultural sights with the younger set. The latter choice, however, might require
a bit of bribery as respondents report that the vast majority of their kids and
grandkids prefer to hang out at the pool (90 percent) over sightseeing (43
percent).
Survey respondents are speaking from experience, as all but
20 percent indicated they have traveled in the past two years with two or more
generations of the family. The study, conducted by Equation Research, polled a
random national sample of parents and grandparents who have traveled for leisure
with an overnight stay at least once in the past two years with a family member
of another generation.
Packages, Activities and Suites Designed for Families
 Thirty-six percent of respondents who have traveled in the
past two years with multiple generations visited a resort/destination spa. Of
those who didn't visit a resort or destination spa, 19 percent would be very
interested, and 43 percent somewhat interested, in doing so in the future. A
family spa resort package would be an appealing option for the majority of
respondents (21 percent very interested and 53 percent somewhat interested).
In choosing a spa resort for an extended family trip, 84
percent of respondents reported they were "likely to visit" a resort that offers
activities for the whole family. At 55 percent, just over half are interested in
a "kids only" area that would give adults a break from babysitting duties, and
50 percent would be interested in using their kid-free time to enjoy special spa
options for adults. Large suites that allow everyone to stay together are an
appealing option for 69 percent.
Pools Rule, Casual Dining over Fine
 A swimming pool is the number-one feature a resort or hotel
should provide to accommodate extended family travelers, according to 92 percent
of respondents. Casual dining is also key at 91 percent (29 percent appreciate
having the option of a fine dining choice). A kids' activity center is a big
draw for 79 percent and day care for 19 percent. Spas were cited by 31 percent
and fitness centers 38 percent as other appealing options.
Who Plans, Who Pays and Who Stays Home?
When three generations travel together, parents and
grandparents typically share trip planning responsibilities equally (62 percent)
as well as expenses (61 percent). If only one generation takes on the planning,
grandparents tend to take the lead (18 percent) over their adult children (nine
percent). And if only one generation pays, grandparents are also more likely to
pick up the tab, at 30 percent compared to eight percent for their adult
children.
The majority of grandparents (60 percent) prefer to travel
with both their children and their grandchildren. For 87 percent, it's about
staying close to their adult children, while 32 percent appreciate the
opportunity to share expenses and 34 percent want the chance to carve out some
free time for themselves.
For those grandparents who would rather leave their own
children at home and take the grandchildren on the road, 75 percent want the
chance to spend as much time with their grandkids as possible, and 30 percent
don't want the added expense. For 10 percent, it's about getting away from the
watchful eyes of their adult children who don't let them spoil their grandkids.
And 15 percent grumble that "they don't control their children, so who needs
them along?"
Stressful? Yes, But Worth It
For the majority of respondents, the chance to bond as a
family is worth the admitted stress involved in traveling together. As many as
99 percent of grandparents say traveling with their grandchildren allows them
time to get closer, and 94 percent extend the sentiment to traveling with their
adult children. Of the parents responding to the survey, 91 percent said the
same of travel that involves their own parents. At the same time, 48 percent
find traveling with kids stressful and 50 percent say traveling with both their
parents and children is stressful.
In the end, the vast majority of those who have experienced
multigenerational travel in the past two years are likely to do it again (59
percent very likely, 31 percent somewhat likely). Seventy-two percent claim
vacationing with extended family is the "best vacation possible" while 27
percent say there are "definitely better ways to spend a vacation."
Encouragingly, only 1 percent report they would do so again
only "when hell freezes over."
The survey was sponsored by California-based KSL Resorts,
who offer a variety of adult and family options for multi-generation travelers.
La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA, for example, opened a kid-friendly
water feature, Splash Landing, in March 2007, and last year invested $1 million
in a state-of-the-art kids club, Kidtopia, and separate teen lounge, Vibz. The
resort also offers one of the largest selections of family activities in
Southern California. San Diego's legendary Hotel del Coronado has its own teen
spa and the ever-popular Tent City Kids Camp, an acclaimed children's program
for ages four through 12. And all KSL Resorts offer separate healthy kids'
menus that give young diners plenty of appealing, nutritionally sound choices in
their restaurants. |
