Multigenerational holidays are here to stay
MULTIGENERATIONAL
travel is poised for
rapid and sustained
growth, according to the
findings of a study released
in December by US-based
Preferred Hotel Group, whose
650 hotels and resorts
worldwide are tailored to
multigenerational travellers.
According to the study,
children are calling the
shots when it comes to
influencing holiday plans,
grandparents are increasingly
funding the cost of the trip
and a significant percentage
of Millennials – 91% of
those surveyed – say a
multigenerational trip is
something they try to take
every year.
The study confirmed the
desire of families to spend
more holiday time together.
It also highlighted that
multigenerational travellers
use the services of traditional
travel agents more often than
other leisure travellers.
Stacey Barnett, Dreams
sales and marketing
manager, says shared costs
and help with children while
travelling is driving the growth
of multi-generational travel,
although it is still a relatively
small sector in South Africa
for packaged deals.
“Many destinations now
offer a wider variety of
entertainment options to
encourage multi-generational
travel. But agents and
operators need to be clear
on supplier policies. They
must research destinations
as there could be challenges
with facilities and service
providers. For example, there
may be restrictions on the
number of people sharing a
hotel room, or on a family
member participating in an
activity due to age or fitness
level. Some destinations, for
example, don’t allow children
under 12 on game drives.”
Children are increasingly
key decision-makers when
it comes to the hotels the
family stays at, and must
be considered when buying
hotel services, says Sibo
Gumpo, Cresta Hotels’ group
commercial manager.
Alet Steyn, Wendy Wu
Tours’ business development
manager, says today’s
multigenerational travellers
seek adventure, fun and
meaningful cultural and
educational experiences that
they can share together.
“The biggest challenge,
says Alet, is finding the
perfect holiday fit, getting
the family to agree on a
destination and set a date
around everyone’s busy
schedules. “Agents and
operators should focus on
the experience, educational
value and opportunity to
share lasting memories
and highlight family-friendly
activities in the destination.”
Theresa Szejwallo, Trafalgar
md, says families are
focusing on the educational
aspects of the holiday
where everyone can learn a
new skill like making pizza
in Rome or experiencing
amazing historical events.
Multigenerational travel is
not a new trend in Mauritius
or at Beachcomber resorts,
where the variety of activities
and holiday experiences are
designed to engage guests
of all ages and interests,
says Joanne Visagie,
Beachcomber’s sales and
marketing manager.
“Our Beachcomber
properties enjoy a high
repeat rate of travel,
which is an internationally
identified trend amongst
multigenerational travellers.
Research shows they tend to
be loyal to destinations and
are particularly interested in
beach holidays.”
Anantara launches family special
ANANTARA Hotels Resorts
& Spas in Mozambique
has a family offer at its
Anantara Bazaruto Island
Resort & Spa. It goes for
US$488 (R5 682) per adult
sharing per night, with two
children under 18 staying
free, and a free upgrade
to a Deluxe Sea View Pool
Villa. The special is valid
for travel until March 31
and represents a 35%
saving.
The minimum stay is
four nights but guests who
opt to stay between five
and nine nights receive
a further 20% discount
off the rate, while those
staying 10 nights receive
30% discount.
The offer includes fullboard
accommodation,
return boat transfers from
Vilanculos, a 15-minute
Mystery Spa treatment, a
scheduled daily snorkelling
trip to Neptune’s nursery,
local alcohol and
beverages, minibar, nonmotorised
water sports
and emergency medical
evacuation.
Among the resort
activities are horse riding,
dune boarding, snorkelling,
game fishing, diving – which
includes a children’s diving
course for kids aged eight
and upward – and a coral
gardening project.
At Sailfish Bay there’s
a great picnic spot
and families can go on
excursions to nearby Pansy
and Paradise islands.
There’s also a kids’ club
with dedicated activities
during the peak holiday
season.
Must-haves for your clients
Must-haves for your clientsTNW asked operators what
agents should consider when
planning a multi-generational
holiday for their clients and the
‘must-have’ elements required.
Ensuring adequate space
is available for everyone to
be comfortable is key, says
Stacey Barnett, whether it’s
booking two cars or booking
an extra hotel room for kids.
“Some families prefer selfcatering
accommodation while
others don’t want to spend
time cooking and tidying up.
They want children entertained
in a children’s facility while
they’re enjoying activities such
as golf, spa or dinners,” says
Stacey.
Alet Steyn says agents
must keep the different needs
of family members in mind
when making destination
decisions, create itineraries
where families have time to
relax together but also time
to do things apart. Activities
included should suit all
travellers concerned.
“I tend to recommend a
tailored tour itinerary for a
multi-generational family
that caters for their diverse
interests and is flexible. Some
families, however, prefer fully
inclusive group tours.”
John Ridler, Thompsons
Holidays’ media and PR
manager, says resort-style
holidays and cruises are
always the most successful
for multi-generational travel as
there are so many activities
for all age groups. “Mauritius
still offers excellent value for
families, with many resorts
having special dining facilities
for kids, and kids’ clubs, which
are a must to give adults a
break for a few hours a day.”
Austria Connection’s Inge
Dobihal says if clients want
a beach holiday, then renting
a house or staying in selfcatering
accommodation is a
good option.
Joanne Visagie says
experienced babysitters are a
must and that vehicle size and
car seat requirements should
be discussed at the time of
booking.
“Kids’ clubs are imperative
for a great family vacation,
and family units and villas,
available at many of our
resorts, allow families to be
accommodated together and
enjoy the communal areas
within these units.”
Close attention, says Joanne,
should also be paid to room
location, taking into account
walking distances and stairs
when it comes to elderly
clients or those with infants
and prams.
Zahedah Bhorat, Holiday
Tours’ product manager, says
villa-type accommodation with
multiple bedrooms works best
for multigenerational holidays.
“This allows families to have
common areas for exclusive
use (lounges, pool, kitchen)
and the privacy of individual
rooms. However, some families
prefer the traditional fully
service hotel room".
Save on Vienna family travel
FAMILIES travelling to Vienna
can make the most of their
stay with Austria Connection’s
Vienna Family Package.
Just €43 (R569) for children
up to age 14 and €90
(R1 190) for adults, it
includes:
A 72-hour Vienna Card,
which offers unlimited free
travel by underground, bus
and tram and reduced
entrance fees and prices at
more than 210 museums
and attractions, concerts,
shops, restaurants, cafés
and wine taverns.
Travellers will also find a
free cuppa here and there.
A Combi-Ticket for entrance
into Schönbrunn Zoo at
Schönbrunn Palace and
a ride on the Giant Ferris
Wheel.
A ticket for the train on
wheels in the zoo
A three-course lunch in
the restaurant in the zoo
(there are two courses for
children).
Looking for good value?
Thompsons Holidays
is offering a sevennight
Easter package
at the three-star
Villas Caroline Beach
Hotel, located beside
a beautiful sandy
beach in Flic En Flac,
Mauritius, in a superior
sea-facing room. The
package, from R20 039
(taxes included) ex-JNB,
is valid from March
26-April 11. It includes
seven nights’ full
board accommodation
with one child under
12 sharing free with
parents and a second
child paying just 25% of
the adult sharing rate
(flights and transfers
excluded). It includes
selected drinks,
airport transfers, water
and land activities,
kids’ disco and
entertainment nightly,
and a hands-on Creole
cooking demonstration.
Package prices ex-CPT
are R21 186 and
Durban R20 311 (taxes
are included).
Thompsons is also
offering a seven-night
Costa Deliziosa Italy,
Greece and Croatia
cruise from R21 153
ex-JNB, R23 130
ex-DUR, and 23 930,
ex-CPT (taxes included).
It includes return
flights to Venice from
Johannesburg, seven
nights aboard Costa
Deliziosa in an inside
cabin, port charges and
taxes, and all meals
and entertainment.
Two children under 18
sharing with parents
cruise free but pay
for flights and port
charges. The cruise
visits Bari, Corfu,
Mykonos, Santorini and
Dubrovnik.
Top activities...
A FAMILY experience can be
as flexible and diverse as you
like, featuring the very best
each country has to offer, says
Alet Steyn.
“Normal sightseeing can be
made more child-friendly. For
example, in China, Wendy Wu
can include activities such as
flying a traditional Chinese kite
in Beijing, sculpting Terracotta
Warriors in Xian, learning
Chinese calligraphy, cycling
along the ancient city wall in
Xian, seeing the famous giant
pandas in Chengdu or meeting
favourite Disney characters in
Hong Kong Disneyland.”
In Vietnam, says Alet,
families can enjoy culinary
or cooking tours that blend
Vietnamese cuisine and
culture, teaching travellers
traditional Vietnamese cooking
techniques. “They get to shop
for ingredients in local markets
and are guided by experienced
chefs.”
In Mauritius, says Joanne
Visagie, families can take a
catamaran cruise or tackle a
zipline or quadbike adventure
together. They can visit the
lions at Casela Nature Park or
just enjoy the enormous array
of resort facilities that include
pedal boating, kayaking,
sailing, tennis, stand-up
paddle, wind surfing, aqua gym
class and more. Young and old
can also learn to waterski or
wakeboard and in the evenings
enjoy the bands and live
shows together.
Theresa Szejwallo says
Trafalgar’s top three Family
Experiences trips – European
Wonderland; Wild West
Cowboys & Buffaloes (a Wild
West family adventure in
the US) and Magic & Make
Believe (a tour of London and
Paris) – offer fun activities for
the whole family, such as a
guided tour of Windsor Castle,
discovering the wonders of
the Yellowstone National
Park, riding with real-life horse
wranglers, and learning to
make authentic Italian pizza.
Skiing and cycling, or bike
and boat tours make for great
family adventures, says Inge
Dobiha.
Kids stay free with Cresta
OUR child policy allows up
to two children under 12
to stay free when sharing
with their parents, and they
receive discounted rates
on meals and activities. We
are continuously striving
to improve the family
experience at our hotels,”
says Sibo Gumpo.
Cresta Hotels has also
created a children’s loyalty
programme, the Cresta Kids
Club, at its city hotels, which
treats children as VIPs when
celebrating events such as
birthdays. Over holidays such
as Easter and Christmas,
supervised children’s
activities are arranged.
“These are designed to
encourage kids to foster
friendships with other kids
and have fun outdoors, away
from TVs and play stations,”
says Sibo.
Adult and child diners are
also catered for, with healthy
menus that promote the use
of local organic produce. At
Cresta Mowana Safari Resort
& Spa in Botswana alongside
the Chobe River, an
imaginative menu includes
options for children such as
‘Croc Tic Toks’ (fish fingers
and fries).
Almost 90% of Cresta’s
hotels have fully equipped
outdoor play areas for
children, while every hotel
has a gym on site or nearby.
Book it!
Until March 28 and between April 13 and September 30, when adults upgrade to a
Beachcomber all-inclusive package, children under 18 sharing with parents in standard,
superior or deluxe rooms receive free all-inclusive, which covers most meals and drinks during
their stay. Children under 18 who share their parents’ accommodation until October 31 don’t
pay an accommodation charge, nor for breakfast and dinner. Beachcomber offers numerous
facilities and educational activities for children in Mauritius. Each hotel has a Mini Club
for kids aged three to 12, while teenage activities are included at several hotels during the
school holidays. Several room categories at Beachcomber resorts allow one or two children to
share with parents. Most hotels offer inter-leading rooms or two-bedroom family apartments.
Beachcomber consultants also pay close attention to room locations.
Keep it close to home
ONE of the best times to
visit Plettenberg Bay is in
February and March, when
the weather is perfect.
Holiday Tours is offering
a two-night package to
Plett’s Beacon Island
Resort until March 31 for
R3 589 ex-Johannesburg
(supplements apply on
peak flights).
The package includes
two nights’ accommodation
(room only), return
economy-class flights from
Johannesburg to George,
and two days’ car rental
(Group T) on standard cover
with 200km free per day.
Guests have access to
500 MB free WiFi per day
and two kids stay free
(accommodation only) when
sharing with two adults.
There is also a self-drive
option at R1 455 per peson
sharing for two nights
(accommodation only).
In Mauritius, Holiday Tours’
March Holidays Special
Offer includes seven nights’
accommodation (deluxe
room) at the four-star
Le Meridien Ile Maurice
resort with breakfast and
dinner daily.
On offer is a set departure
on March 28 from R17 850
per adult sharing, and
R7 395 per child sharing.
The price includes a
30% discount on
accommodation. To qualify,
travel must be booked and
paid for by February 28.
The package includes
return flights from JNB on
Air Mauritius, and return
airport resort transfers.
Two adults may share their
room with two kids under
12 years.
Top holiday destinations
THE top multi-generational
holiday destinations are those
that offer a wide variety of
activities and entertainment
options, says Stacey Barnett,
such as Sun International’s
Boardwalk Hotel, Wild Coast
Sun, Sun City, Zambezi Sun
and Royal Swazi Spa.
Joanne Visagie says
Mauritius remains the
preferred family holiday
destination for South Africans
due to its proximity to South
Africa, fantastic air access,
year-round temperate weather,
safe, easy swimming in
calm seas, excellent value
for money and fantastic
accommodation options.
Alet Steyn’s top three
destinations are Vietnam,
Cambodia and China, as
these countries offer the most
family-friendly activities.
She highly recommends
a Vietnam holiday, with a
stopover in Hong Kong. “In
northern Vietnam, there’s
historic Hanoi, the Hill Tribes
of Sapa and beautiful Halong
Bay. Families can enjoy walks
through terraced rice fields
and spectacular scenery from
a junk boat on Halong Bay.
In southern Vietnam, there’s
the lively city of Saigon, the
Mekong Delta, the sandy
beaches of Mui Né, and
Mekong or Irrawaddy river
cruises.”
John Ridler recommends
Mauritius, Seychelles,
cruising, South Africa, and
game lodges that cater for
young game enthusiasts.
“Mauritius or a Mediterranean
cruise offer kids’ activities,
sports, games and shopping
arcades, fine dining, movies,
rock climbing, surfing, discos
and spectacular nightly
shows.”
Trafalgar’s top selling
Family Experiences holiday
is its European Wonderland
– an 11-day family road trip
beginning in Rome and ending
in London and includes Swiss
chocolate, Italian gelato, lion
fights, chariot racing and
fascinating history.
Theresa Szejwallo also
recommends Trafalgar’s
Monkeys, Jungles &
Volcanoes guided holiday in
Costa Rica, which offers ecofriendly
adventure, culture
and time out in extraordinary
settings. Families visit the
world’s only certified organic
pineapple farm, taste hearts
of palm, meet locals who
protect the sea turtles in the
Tortuguero National Park, zip
line through the jungle and
visit the Arenal National Park
with its steaming volcano.
For families with young
children Zahedah Bhorat
suggests malaria-free game
reserves that offer villas as
part of their accommodation
options. For families
with older children she
recommends Mozambique.
Inge Dobihal recommends
a family holiday in Dubrovnik
or Split in Croatia, which
offers nightlife, water sports,
beautiful nature, historic and
cultural experiences or just a
relaxing holiday at the sea.
Easter family fun
WORLD Leisure Holidays is
offering good-value Easter
packages to its luxury fivestar
Mauritius resorts, Sugar
Beach and Long Beach.
Parents will find everything
they dreamed of for their
children at both hotels,
ensuring both children and
adults have a great island
stay. There are separate
clubs for little ones and
teenagers, with programmes,
games and educational
activities tailored to the
child’s age and interests.
Packages to Sugar Beach
start from R25 720 ex-JNB
and R26 880 ex-CPT, with
packages to Long Beach
starting from R27 160
ex-JNB, and R28 320 ex-CPT.
The packages include return
flights to Mauritius, breakfast
and dinner daily, all land and
non-motorised water sports,
entertainment, levies, taxes
and surcharges. Children
under 12 stay free when
sharing with adults.
Family-friendly services in the air
DELTA Air Lines offers a host
of family-friendly services on
board and on the ground.
Delta can arrange special
assistance for families at the
airport and on board, including
special meals, in-flight
entertainment, wheelchair
access and more.
Children under two flying
internationally only pay 10%
of the adult fare if they don’t
require their own seat, while
children aged two to 12
years get a 25% discount
on international flights when
travelling with an adult.
On board, Delta – which flies
daily between Johannesburg
and Atlanta – offers a range
of movies, TV shows and
games to keep kids occupied
throughout the flight.
There are also special
meals for babies, toddlers
and children up to 12, which
follow recommended dietary
allowances and can be booked
via Delta’s website up to 24
hours before departure. Also
bookable up to 24 hours
before a flight is wheelchair
assistance for passengers
unable to walk through the
airport.
To ensure families are
seated together, seats can be
pre-booked on Delta’s website.
In Africa, Delta offers its
Family Plus service at DakarYoff-Léopold
Sédar Senghor
International Airport, where
Delta agents assist families
through check-in and boarding.
There is a children’s corner at
the boarding gate area with
games and TV cartoons in
English and French.
As a family holiday
destination, Mauritius is hard
to beat. Air Mauritius takes
special care of families flying
to Mauritius for a holiday, both
on board and on the ground.
On board, children receive
special activity packs and an
Air Mauritius bag, and there is
loads of in-flight entertainment
to keep them happy.
Child meals can be booked
up to 72 hours before
departure.
The airline’s new Amedee
Maingard Lounge at the airport
has a dedicated children’s
play area, available free to
business-class passengers.
And with the airline’s Travel
Smart Programme (operational
during low season) up to two
children under 12 fly free,
paying only for airport taxes.
For elderly travellers,
Air Mauritius offers meet
and assist services.
These services, as well as
wheelchairs, can be booked
when making a reservation.
Air Mauritius operates direct
services from Johannesburg,
Cape Town and Durban to
Mauritius, where passengers
can enjoy a free stopover
en-route to long-haul
destinations such as Perth,
Hong Kong, London and Paris.
Loads of fun at Premier Hotels
PREMIER Hotels & Resorts
offers a host of familyfriendly
accommodation
and facilities. Its four-star
properties offer a family suite
that comprises three suites
(one with a dining room),
ideal for multi-generational
family travel.
All Premier Hotels
properties offer free WiFi,
enabling parents to stay in
touch with family via Skype
and for teenagers to stay in
touch with their friends.
“With features like pools,
play areas, and access to
local attractions and staff
equipped to assist with
planning of day trips, we’re
well geared to the family
market,” says Terence
Goosen, Premier Hotels’
group marketing manager.
Mpongo Private Game
Reserve in the Eastern
Cape recently launched an
education centre (with petting
zoo), for little ones to learn
about the park’s animals.|
Premier Hotel Knysna – The
Moorings has just opened
a children’s wonderland
– offering play gyms and
activities for kids including a
life-sized chess set.
And Premier’s latest
addition – the Premier
Sani Pass Hotel in the
Drakensberg (due to undergo
an extensive upgrade) –
offers group horseback
mountain rides, a golf course,
swimming pools, hiking trails,
bowling greens, a wellness
centre and access to the
national Sani Pass nature
reserve.
Discover the Far East
Wendy Wu Tours is offering
a 15-day, fully inclusive
Glories of China tour, ideal
for families with children over
the age of 12.
From R41 155pps, it visits
Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo,
Xian and Beijing. It includes
return economy-class airfares
(and taxes) on Cathay Pacific,
domestic flights in China,
compulsory tipping, transport
in modern air-conditioned
vehicles, four-star hotel
accommodation, meals,
entrance fees, local guides
in each city, a tour manager,
daily tours as per itinerary
and China visa fees for SA
passport holders.
The price applies to
departures to the end of
November (except May and
September). Tour details and
booking conditions can be
found in Wendy Wu Tours’
2015 Asia brochure.
Thailand
With so many beautiful
islands, fantastic beaches,
interesting cities and ancient
cultures, a family holiday in
Thailand is hard to beat.
Child-friendly destinations
include Bangkok, Phuket,
Ko Samui, and Chiang Mai.
There are more than 80
national parks to explore,
amazing food to taste,
fantastic shopping, water
parks and aquariums.
Things to do in Phuket
with kids:
Enjoy Kata, Karon and
Patong beaches.
Snorkel in the Andaman
Sea.
Play mini-golf at Dino
Park Mini Golf with its
Flintstones theme.
Phuket Fantasea offers
cultural attractions,
pyrotechnics and great
shopping.
Splash Jungle, Thailand’s
largest water park beside
Centara Grand West Sands
Resort & Villas.
Witness coral reefs and
ocean creatures up close
from the tunnel tank at
Underwater World Pattaya,
the largest ocean aquarium
in Asia with more than
4 000 marine animals.
Near Phuket and Krabi, Koh
Sok National Park offers
the Elephant Hills elephant
sanctuary, jungle trekking
and cave exploring.
Things to do in Bangkok
with kids:
The Siam Museum, Major
Bowl in the Central World
Shopping Mall, Siam Ocean
World, and the Krungsri
Imax Theatre offer great
edutainment.
Siam Park is Bangkok’s
biggest water park.
Tour Bangkok’s backwater
canals on a long tail boat.
Japan
Japan is Trafalgar’s newest
destination for families.
On the Samurai Discovery
Tour, travellers will learn to
make sushi with a private
chef; enjoy an ‘Okonomiyaki’
dinner of grilled savoury
pancakes; explore the
Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine,
and Mount Fuji; take a
thrilling ride on the
JR Super Express bullet train;
try their hand at calligraphy,
and activate their inner ninja
on the active movie set at
Toei Kyoto Studio Park.
The Samurai Discovery
Tour is priced at R37 825
and includes six nights’
hotel accommodation
with breakfast daily, three
lunches, three dinners,
transport, transfers and
sightseeing. There’s a 5%
early-payment discount
available until February
28, as well as possibilities
of further discounts for
young, frequent and, second
trip travellers and quad
room sharers. Departures
take place in March, July,
September, October and
December.
