Multi-gen holidays are all the rage
Family holidays with grandparents, parents and kids are growing in popularity.
It’s the holiday where all the family – parents, children and grandparents – spend time together at a hotel or resort, often to celebrate a milestone event. The get-together can be in Australia or overseas, often in Bali, Thailand and Israel.
All-inclusive resorts with kids clubs are popular with young children while some families with older kids prefer a cruise ship that offers a range of facilities including water slides and poolside movies.
Mark Chaskiel, CEO and joint managing director of FBI Travel of Caulfield North, has been advising clients on multi-generational travel for many years and attributes its current growth in popularity to baby boomers.
“The current baby boomers went on holidays with their children and want to do the same with their kids and grandkids,” he said.
“Many are now in a position where they can afford it and the travel industry is catering for multi-generational travel.”
Chaskiel recalled that many years ago Disneyland was a favourite for multi-generational holidays, while a current favourite is Club Med’s all-inclusive resorts in Phuket, Bali and Bintan.
Whatever the destination, Chaskiel said that families intent on a multi-generational holiday should plan ahead.
“It’s important to understand what the expectations for a multi-generational family trip are for each age group. For example, if they prefer to have all their meals together at their own table, that can be organised. Or if they want to be with their kids and grandkids on an opt-in basis for only some of the time, plan accordingly. Choosing the right place and facilities that meets their expectations is imperative.”
Some luxury hotels are catering for multi-generational holidays by offering residences with plenty of space, numerous bedrooms, full-sized kitchen and a private pool. And they also offer kids clubs, playgrounds and swimming pools suited to children.
FBI Travel has been ranked among Australia’s top-selling travel agents of Club Med holidays for more than 30 years, with Chaskiel saying that Club Med’s resorts in Asia are ideal for multi-generational holidays as they are all-inclusive and offer a wide range of facilities.
“All meals are included, they have kids clubs ranging from babies and toddlers to teenagers, a host of sporting activities and nightly entertainment, with everything included.”
“We know Club Med is a formula that works,” he said, adding that he is planning his own multi-generational family holiday at Club Med Bintan, situated near Singapore, later this year. His group has 15 family members with the youngest being a one-year-old baby.