How Grandparents and Grandkids Are Redefining Family Travel 

Grandparents and grandchildren are hitting the highway collectively – and  usually with out mother and father. Skip-generation (skip-gen) holidays are quickly gaining momentum throughout Asia  Pacific, in line with Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report launched. Families are redefining how they  journey, with a stronger give attention to stays that foster togetherness, create lasting reminiscences, and  strengthen bonds throughout generations.

Skip-Gen Travel on the Rise: 6 in 10 Families Are Booking Holidays Without Parents Six in 10 respondents (60%) throughout the area report having taken – or planning to take – a skip-gen  vacation. The pattern is strongest in China (86%) and India (79%), the place cross-generational journey has  moved from novelty to mainstream. In China alone, greater than three-quarters (77%) anticipate to e book at  least one to 2 skip-gen holidays in 2026, hinting at a future the place skip-gen journeys might rival conventional  household holidays.

“The rise of skip-generation travel highlights a fascinating shift in how families are connecting,” stated Ben  George, senior vp and industrial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “Hilton is committed to  creating experiences that cater to every generation under one roof – from family-friendly amenities and  Confirmed Connecting Rooms to wellness offerings that appeal to travellers of all ages. By designing  experiences that anticipate the needs of multi-generational families, we aim to make every stay as  seamless and memorable as possible, helping guests create meaningful moments together.”

More Than a Vacation: Creating Memories Is the Top Priority for Skip-Gen Travellers The alternative to create lasting reminiscences is the driving drive behind skip-gen journey, with 58% of  households throughout the Asia Pacific area selecting it for that reason. The sentiment is the strongest in India  (67%), Australia (64%), and New Zealand (63%), the place round two-thirds of households cite reminiscence making as their high motivation. In Japan, nevertheless, the precedence shifts, with practically half of households (47%) – and 50% of grandparents themselves – pointing to experiencing new issues collectively as the principle purpose  for these journeys.

Beyond the numbers, skip-gen holidays give grandparents and grandchildren the prospect to share one of-a-kind experiences, strengthen bonds, and construct household traditions. In China, practically half of  grandparents (46%) are initiating such holidays, highlighting the rising affect of older generations  in shaping household journey and the significance of selecting stays that help each era’s wants.

Wellbeing Boost: 89% Say Skip-Gen Trips Support Grandparents’ Health 

Family holidays aren’t nearly connection – additionally they help well being and wellbeing. Nearly 9 in 10  (89%) respondents consider that travelling with household improves the wellbeing of grandparents. For  grandparents, high quality time with grandchildren is probably the most valued a part of journey (50%), suggesting how  multi-generational journey can profit each emotional and bodily well being.

Thoughtfully designed stays that embrace wellness facilities, accessible eating, and senior-friendly  providers have gotten important in guaranteeing that older generations can journey comfortably whereas reaping  the well being advantages of household togetherness.

Quality Time Over Downtime: Families Prioritise Shared Experiences Over Relaxation

According to Hilton’s world analysis, respondents’ primary motivation to journey for leisure in 2026  is to relaxation and recharge (56%), however for a lot of vacationers in Asia Pacific, these motivations are completely different as  spending time with household now outweighs private leisure as the highest vacation precedence. Six in 10 (61%)  say high quality time issues greater than downtime, a sentiment significantly robust in India (72%) and China  (62%).

When it involves actions, culinary exploration (69%) and visits to historic and cultural landmarks  (63%) prepared the ground, reflecting households’ want for stays that encourage discovery, studying, and significant  connection. This pattern is very pronounced in Singapore, the place greater than eight in 10 households  (81%) cite culinary exploration as their high household exercise – a nod to the city-state’s vibrant and  celebrated meals scene.

Rooms for All Ages: Making Multi-Generational Travel Seamless 

Beyond skip-gen, multi-generational journey continues to develop. Nearly half (48%) of households in Asia  Pacific take holidays with three or extra generations at the least every year – a pattern significantly robust in  China (78%) and India (65%). The high motivations embrace strengthening household bonds (60%) and  creating lasting reminiscences throughout generations (57%).

Accommodation performs an important position in enabling inclusive stays. Nearly half of households (48%) desire  interconnecting rooms or household suites, whereas 42% prioritise senior-friendly amenities and providers such  as mobility aids, medical help, and accessible eating areas. Relaxation and wellness facilities  (42%) are additionally essential, underscoring the necessity for stays that cater to each era.

Tal Shefer, senior vp, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, stated, “In Asia Pacific, travel  is deeply rooted in family and togetherness, and we’re seeing that reflected in the continued growth of  multi-generational holidays. At Hilton, every detail is designed with the holistic stay experience in mind – so that grandparents, parents, and children alike can feel connected, cared for, and create lasting  memories together. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration at Waldorf Astoria, a city break at  Motto by Hilton, or a family getaway at DoubleTree by Hilton, every one of our brands is built to bring  people closer through meaningful experiences.”

Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report: Key Insights for 2026 and Beyond 

These insights had been commissioned as a part of analysis for Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, “The  Whycation: Travel’s New Starting Point,” highlighting how grandparents and grandchildren are  reshaping the way in which households journey. Hilton’s complete survey of greater than 14,000 world travellers  throughout 14 international locations, together with proprietary insights from greater than 5,000 Hilton workforce members and  suggestions from 1,000 Hilton Honors members, highlights a number of further developments, together with:

• Hushpitality: Seeking Sweet Silence: In 2026, travellers will search for locations the place they  can dial down life’s distractions. Seeking calm – even moments of silence – indicators a change in  why persons are touring, the place they are going and how they’ll loosen up.
• Home Comforts are the New ‘Carry On’: Travellers are grounding their journeys in familiarity,  looking for consolation and a way of residence even whereas away. They’re bringing on a regular basis routines with  them, and as acquainted rhythms assist travellers really feel extra relaxed, many are additionally taking time to  recharge and pursue private passions – turning day without work into time properly spent.
• Inheritourism: Travel Runs within the Family: As youngsters develop up, many proceed touring with  their mother and father, bringing acquainted preferences formed by years of shared journey. From lodge decisions  to loyalty packages, parental affect nonetheless performs a key position in moulding how journey evolves  throughout generations.