Multigenerational Travel: Top Destinations & Tips to Sell More Family Trips

Multigenerational travel has become one of the most significant trends in tourism, with families seeking memorable experiences that include grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, and extended family members. Here is a look at top destinations for this niche, and tips that travel advisors can apply to sell more multigen travel.

“Generational travel allows different age groups within a family to come together and create shared experiences,” describes Angie Cain, owner, Away with Angie, LLC. “These trips foster connections across generations, creating a tapestry of stories and memories that can be cherished for years to come. It’s about capturing those magical moments, like a grandparent’s first view of a breathtaking sunset alongside their grandchild, or a multigenerational family dinner in a local village cafe that sparks laughter and bonds.”

Top multigen destinations

The multigenerational travel trend has opened up new opportunities around the world for destinations, suppliers, and advisors. And some of those destinations are standouts.

Cain reports that the “Dominican Republic is a top destination for multigenerational travel for those that like the tropical destinations. Beautiful beaches, a variety of activities from water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving to golf for the adults and water parks for the kids, there’s no shortage of fun things to do! Engaging activities ensure there’s something for everyone, whether it’s adrenaline-packed adventures, cultural excursions, or leisurely pursuits. 

“With a wide range of all-inclusive resorts, families can enjoy stress-free planning with packages that cover meals, lodging, and entertainment. All-inclusive amenities make it easy for families to relax without worrying about logistics or budgeting for surprise expenses.”

Shannon McManus, travel advisor, KHM travel Group, also recommends all-inclusives for families. “Mexico and the Dominican Republic have excellent options for all ages. I love utilizing the Dreams resorts, as they usually have excellent kids clubs, but also adults-only areas … something for everyone.”

She points out that a range of activities is key for families traveling together. “Families want to be in a place where they can relax one day but go ziplining the next. Catamarans and places with cabanas are at the top!”

For Shanna Fowler, owner, Dream Vacations, “Costa Rica has consistently been our most popular request for multigenerational families, because of the biodiversity and adventure opportunities appealing to all ages and activity levels. There are many boutique hotels that offer a perfect retreat where Grandma and Grandpa can unwind in tranquility or partake in onsite activities like cooking classes or bird watching. These charming accommodations often boast picturesque views, lush gardens, waterfalls, and cozy common areas that exude the essence of Pura Vida. While the kids are out chasing thrills through activities like ziplining and whitewater rafting, grandparents can indulge in serene experiences and then enjoy dinner together sharing exciting stories about their experiences.”

Up-and-coming places for families to explore

While it is easy to understand why warm-weather spots in the Caribbean and Mexico top the lists for family travel, there is a big, wide world out there with many other options as well.

Among the up-and-coming places for families to explore is Portugal, suggests Cain. Portugal is known for its vibrant culture, incredible cuisine, and stunning coastlines, which explains why it is becoming a top choice for families seeking a mix of history, recreation, and relaxing beach time. From the bustling streets of Lisbon to the serene beauty of the Algarve, this gem of a country offers something for everyone, including wine tours for adults and castle explorations for kids.

Cain also notes that Croatia’s stunning coastlines and historic cities are attracting families seeking a European escape with a mix of cultural and natural beauty. With charming medieval towns like Dubrovnik, breathtaking waterways, and family-friendly activities, this is a destination where each generation can find joy.

How to create memorable multi-gen trips

The next consideration is how travel advisors can create the most memorable multigen trips that meet everyone’s needs and interests (balancing activities, accommodations, dining choices, etc.).

Fowler offers her detailed process: “I start by learning the interests and activity levels of each family member traveling. This helps uncover both shared passions and individual preferences, ensuring a personalized and engaging experience for everyone.

“Next, I craft a custom proposal to review with the group, whether we meet in person, via a virtual call, or through a detailed screen recording of the full itinerary. I find that discussing the logistics and planned activities out loud invites more thoughtful and insightful feedback from clients than simply scanning through a written itinerary.

“Finally, I utilize Travefy to manage all aspects of the trip. This tool is particularly advantageous for multigenerational groups, providing all essential information at everyone’s fingertips. Plus, its group chat feature keeps everyone connected and informed both before and during travel. Many of my clients have highlighted this app in their reviews, noting how invaluable it was to their overall travel experience.”

More hot tips for advisors

Fowler also highly recommends: “Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet with the entire family. By building rapport with each family member, you pave the way for future individual travel planning, transforming them into lifelong clients. Most importantly, you’ll enhance their multigenerational travel experience. You’ll achieve this by thoughtfully comparing and contrasting accommodation options, and explaining the benefits of private day tours, among other personalized touches. This approach ensures maximum satisfaction for everyone involved.” 

McManus reminds advisors to “never assume you know what the family wants … be open to what each family needs. Maybe some want a swim-up room or some want to leave before the rest. Be flexible.” 

And Cain offers a three-pronged strategy on what not to do when promoting generational trips. First, “don’t overlook any age group. Focusing too much on one age group might alienate others. A trip that only highlights activities for kids or retirement-age attractions misses the multigenerational appeal.”

Second, “don’t ignore health and safety concerns. If families feel uncertain about the safety of travel for all ages, with specific focus on younger children and seniors, they might not book the trip. Proactively address safety protocols, access to healthcare, and emergency conveniences in your promotions.”

And third, “never assume price is the only selling point. Too much focus on price can undervalue the experience and make it seem like budget travel, which might not always meet the quality expectations. Balance cost-effectiveness with highlighting unique and enriching experiences.”

Finally, Fowler suggests this parting advice to her fellow advisors: “Just like mastering any niche, immersing yourself in planning your own multigenerational trip can offer invaluable insights. Experiencing it from a ‘client perspective’ allows you to uncover the nuances and logistical pros and cons firsthand. This experience enhances your ability to deliver thoughtful, well-rounded advice and insights, ultimately enriching your clients’ travel experiences.”

So, our travel advisor friends, consider planning a multigen trip for your family in 2025. What better way to sell it than to do it first yourself? Plus, your family will thank you for the wonderful, deep bonds created as you travel the globe together.

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ALG Vacations continues to be dedicated to enhancing advisor expertise, therefore, the ALGV Education team has created an entire recurring series of webinars focusing specifically on this category of business, allowing ALVPros to become experts in this niche. Plus, innovative technology like The Groups Dashboard has been a game-changer for advisors, and NEW custom event pages and features like Auto-Inventory Drop will make it even easier to manage gatherings. Learn more at www.algvacations.com/groups.