Some recent CLIA research has confirmed that (unsurprisingly) the trend for the multi-generational holidays continues to grow and is shaping what the modern family unit looks like now. From my experience, it is no surprise that kids continue to enjoy family holidays for as long as they can – not only because it gives quality time to be spent together away from the daily grind, but because it’s a virtually free holiday. So if you’re parents have decided to holiday somewhere interesting, unless you really don’t like your parents, why wouldn’t are kids agree to go with us? Interesting though that this is on the rise, when there are more kids living at home for longer – you’d think we’d all get a bit sick of each other.
Cultural commentator and BBC broadcaster Benjamin Ramm said: “Society is seeing a seismic shift in attitudes to travel and wider family life, as this CLIA research reveals. Previous generations were desperate to break free from the family structure, whereas today the rising cost of living and an increased sense of individual culture all lead to a dependency on the family unit – which of course extends into the holiday arena, a formative opportunity to spend quality time together. This trend is working both ways: while it is convenient for the ‘kidult’ to benefit from financial support, a growing number of parents are holidaying with their children and grandchildren in later life.”
Anyway, as a parent, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your children still want to hang out with you (even if they get you confused with your wallet/purse from time to time) and why would we want that to change? The family that plays together stays together and according to the latest research commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 78% of parents admit they never want the family holiday to end and I am delighted to note that today’s youth have a closer relationship with their parents than ever before.
I was surprised to see from the data that previous generations stopped holidaying together when their children reached early adulthood. Really? That didn’t happen with us. We still go on holiday all together when we can and certainly managed a family holiday with my parents every year – maybe however this research proves that an expiry age for children no longer exists and we are seeing the rise of the ‘kidult’. Even when ‘children’ choose to holiday independently 95% returned to the family holiday – what CLIA termed “the Boomerang Effect”. Perhaps it was different for me because my parents lived abroad. But pretty sure most of my friends still go away with their parents. But great to see that the family holiday, in whatever guise remains important.
It also seems that pester power remains important in choosing a destination, with 74% of parents allowing their children to determine where they all go on holiday·
