AARP Travel Research: Multi-Generational Travel

For travel inspiration, planning, and more, visit AARP Travel or read more about Multi-gen Family Vacations.

The multi-generational travel research found 98 percent of travelers who took a multi-generational trip were highly satisfied, and 85 percent are planning to take another one in the next 12 months. 

Key Multi-Generational Vacations Findings Include:

• 80 percent traveled in the U.S. and many chose active cities, beaches and amusement parks.
  
• 20 percent traveled internationally with half heading to the Caribbean, Mexico or South America.
  
• Cruising is popular for 25 percent of international travelers.
  
• Almost 40 percent chose nostalgic destinations to share a childhood memory.
  

Top Destinations for Multi-Generational Vacations: Picking the right destination where families across three generations can enjoy time with one another and also by themselves can be challenging, but there are destinations that offer both. The following information provides more insights into preferred destinations for multi-generational travel:

• 80 percent traveled domestically
• Amusement Parks
• Disney
• California
• Hawaii
  
• 20 percent traveled internationally
• The Caribbean/South America
• Cruise vacation
• Europe
• Mexico
  

Top Benefits of Multi-Generational Vacations: Traveling with parents, kids and grandparents can be transformative in many ways. The following are the top benefits of multi-generational travel as identified in the new AARP Travel research:

1. Bringing the entire family together (83 percent)
2. Helping build special memories (69 percent)
3. Grandparents are able to spend time with grandkids (50 percent)
4. Quality one-on-one time with family/spouse (36 percent)
5. Adult relatives spending time with younger generations (29 percent)
   

This survey was fielded from January 26 to February 4, 2015 and conducted among males and females age 45 and older who have taken at least one trip 50 miles or more away from home, with a two-night stay, in the past two years.  A total on n=1,221 surveys were completed and final data has been weighted to U.S. Census for analysis. For more information, contact Allison Kulwicki at AKulwicki@aarp.org.