Family vacations are evolving, even though certain common beliefs stubbornly persist. This is demonstrated by the 2026 Family Travel Barometer, conducted with 1,100 respondents by Voyage Family. The study paints a portrait of French families who are more demanding, more connected, and willing to make compromises to keep traveling, despite a challenging economic context, with very clear gaps between generations, social categories, and income levels, particularly in the face of artificial intelligence and destination choices.
First takeaway, it is mothers who organize the bulk of vacations. They account for 72% of travel-related decisions, fathers for 17%. Their priority is not merely to leave, but to satisfy the whole family (26%) and to be together (19.9%).
Vacations in One’s Own Country
Families most often travel with two children, and nearly one in two includes a teenager aged 12 to 15, a age bracket that has become strategic for tourism professionals. If 80% of them spend their holidays in metropolitan France, about two-thirds (65%) dream of more distant destinations. Asia (19%), especially Japan and Thailand, is more dream-worthy than Europe (14%) or the Americas (14%).
On site, here or elsewhere, expectations remain the same. Families seek authentic experiences (73%), cultural activities (75%), and above all moments to share together, with a growing emphasis placed on nature, even during short getaways.
All-Tourism and AI Are Making Their Entrance
The budget remains the main obstacle in organizing trips. It is cited by one third of respondents, far ahead of the choice of destination or accommodation. Yet more than half of families (55%) explain that their vacation budget has increased in recent years. The issue is therefore not solely financial, but also tied to rising prices. It is more difficult to find accommodation that fits the budget while ensuring a financial margin to treat themselves during their stay.
Another finding, the use of artificial intelligence in travel planning reveals a strong generational gap. Among those under 30, 69% report using or wanting to use these tools. The figure drops to 51% among 30-39, then 40% among 40-49. It falls to 34% among 50-59, and collapses to 11% among those over 60, even though 35% of respondents in that group say they are curious to try it.
As for all-tourism, one in four families travels sometimes or regularly with a pet. France may not be as “pet-friendly” as one might think?
