Forget adventure and meeting new people; research shows Aussies crave rest and connection with family on their holidays.
Intergenerational travel involves, as the name implies, multiple generations of a family going on holidays together; think grandparents and children, and even extended family members.
Booking.com’s research on intergenerational travel found almost half of Australian travellers valued reconnecting with family they don’t often see, while 42 per cent highlighted the joy of bonding and creating lasting memories with loved ones.
Almost a third enjoyed the cost-saving aspect of sharing a holiday, and 31 per cent also cherished the family celebrations they experienced while travelling together.
But as with any group trip, intergenerational holidays have their downsides.
Conflicting interests, lack of privacy and personal space, and increased planning were factors that made the experience of travelling with multiple age groups more complex.
Booking.com said the secret to a successful intergenerational trip was creating experiences that resonated across generations.
This includes travel to visit relatives and travelling for reunions or special occasions, so the family has an opportunity to celebrate milestones together.
“More than ever, we’re seeing a growing trend in families travelling together, bridging intergenerational gaps and creating shared experiences that result in richer familial bonds,” the website’s regional manager for Oceania, Todd Lacey, said.
“The research highlights some of the potential challenges that come with travelling in a mixed-generation group, whilst also shining a light on the elements that make a trip like this so memorable and worthwhile.
“It represents an opportunity for Booking.com and the travel sector to tailor their offering for families in Australia, and the specific ways they like to holiday, allowing them to experience the world across generations.”
Favourite destinations
Affordability, safety and family-friendly attractions and activities were the biggest priorities for families choosing their travel destinations, with environmental sustainability and educational experiences valued, but taking a back seat.
Top travel picks for Aussie intergenerational travel groups during the Christmas were unsurprising, with Tokyo, Seminyak and Singapore taking out the top three spots.
Domestically, Australians were keen to head to the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne.
The Gold Coast also proved to be an international attraction, placing second within the Asia-Pacific region’s ranking of favourite international getaways, sitting behind Tokyo and ahead of Singapore.
When it came to trip duration, short and sweet was the general preference.
Most families found four to six days was the sweet spot — long enough to relax, short enough to avoid travel fatigue.