It takes time for everything. In 1991, I had created the Kid Label aimed at coastal and mountain resorts that knew how to welcome families with children.
A vast topic and the first promotion: 44 resorts ranging from La Grande Motte to Le Grand Bornand. A second promotion: 20 additional resorts where accommodation, restaurants, skiing, activities, transportation… were tailored to families with children.
Transformed into the Family Plus Label, the Kid label became a trigger.
At the same time, the Austrians were moving from conference to seminar to explain how they had built the voluntary chain of Kinder Hotels. Hotels obviously dedicated to family clients seeking specific services for their offspring.
As for North American and Scandinavian tourism professionals, they did not wait to offer family rooms, children’s menus and stroller loans!
Meanwhile, French associative tourism did not wait to establish a family offer consisting of baby, mini, teen clubs… wonderfully imitated by Club Méditerranée and its range of “family” villages where GMs would drop off their children early in the morning to pick them up again in the evening after a day during which they and their children had fun. But, each on their own.
A good way to unwind before gathering for the evening in particularly refined productions.
Perfectly adapted by other vacation village brands, camps, and tourist residences… these equipments and activities have proved stubborn because, despite the changing behavior of our children, the basic model has not moved much.
Some new sports and games, of course. A more flexible timing allowing parents to choose their schedules and especially to shorten them.
Even cruises joined in and made their child-friendly receptions a strong selling point for family clients who can shed the burden of running from one deck to another, from one pool to another… to entertain the little ones.
The little ones’ requests diversify according to age, and we try to keep them as far from screens as possible in favor of physical activities.
A vast topic and the first promotion: 44 resorts ranging from La Grande Motte to Le Grand Bornand. A second promotion: 20 additional resorts where accommodation, restaurants, skiing, activities, transportation… were tailored to families with children.
Transformed into the Family Plus Label, the Kid label became a trigger.
At the same time, the Austrians were moving from conference to seminar to explain how they had built the voluntary chain of Kinder Hotels. Hotels obviously dedicated to family clients seeking specific services for their offspring.
As for North American and Scandinavian tourism professionals, they did not wait to offer family rooms, children’s menus and stroller loans!
Meanwhile, French associative tourism did not wait to establish a family offer consisting of baby, mini, teen clubs… wonderfully imitated by Club Méditerranée and its range of “family” villages where GMs would drop off their children early in the morning to pick them up again in the evening after a day during which they and their children had fun. But, each on their own.
A good way to unwind before gathering for the evening in particularly refined productions.
Perfectly adapted by other vacation village brands, camps, and tourist residences… these equipments and activities have proved stubborn because, despite the changing behavior of our children, the basic model has not moved much.
Some new sports and games, of course. A more flexible timing allowing parents to choose their schedules and especially to shorten them.
Even cruises joined in and made their child-friendly receptions a strong selling point for family clients who can shed the burden of running from one deck to another, from one pool to another… to entertain the little ones.
The little ones’ requests diversify according to age, and we try to keep them as far from screens as possible in favor of physical activities.
An Age-Based Segmentation
There are indeed children of all sorts. From the youngest to teenagers, the range is particularly wide and must be respected to satisfy both parents and children.Knowing that the loveliest age of childhood sits around eight years old and the most challenging around pre-adolescence and adolescence. A period where one should be “monitored” but in the most discreet and informal possible way.
It’s Mom Who Chooses!
But, let us now see what the Family Barometer tells us in its recent study conducted by the Voyage-Family media outlet.
In terms of vacation preparation, attitudes change little.
Mother is regarded as 72% the primary organizer of family vacations whereas 17% of fathers contribute to this task. And yet, the new family leave should allow fathers to undertake more research, bookings, date choices and price considerations.
The survey also notes that the dominant family model (63%) is the traditional model: two parents and children.
But it should be noted that single mothers who have custody of the children in 80% of cases are increasingly numerous and have specific requirements.
They often form with their children a kind of two-person couple that makes decisions together. “I consult my daughter before deciding on a destination,” confesses a mother who knows this is the only way for her to have acceptable holidays. And who also tries to think of herself to enjoy a few good moments.
About 11%, these mothers are complemented by 11% of families extended by grandparents and by 5% of tribes.
Pet-owning families: as for families traveling sometimes with their pets, they are estimated at 15% and those who do so occasionally are 6%. But beware, 6% of requests for stays with animals are not satisfied.
In terms of vacation preparation, attitudes change little.
Mother is regarded as 72% the primary organizer of family vacations whereas 17% of fathers contribute to this task. And yet, the new family leave should allow fathers to undertake more research, bookings, date choices and price considerations.
The survey also notes that the dominant family model (63%) is the traditional model: two parents and children.
But it should be noted that single mothers who have custody of the children in 80% of cases are increasingly numerous and have specific requirements.
They often form with their children a kind of two-person couple that makes decisions together. “I consult my daughter before deciding on a destination,” confesses a mother who knows this is the only way for her to have acceptable holidays. And who also tries to think of herself to enjoy a few good moments.
About 11%, these mothers are complemented by 11% of families extended by grandparents and by 5% of tribes.
Pet-owning families: as for families traveling sometimes with their pets, they are estimated at 15% and those who do so occasionally are 6%. But beware, 6% of requests for stays with animals are not satisfied.
The Budget, a Sacred Budget!
Although the Barometer estimates only 33% of families prioritizing the budget when making choices, it seems to us that this percentage is underestimated.
In these times and in general, the family vacation budget weighs heavily in their expenditures.
The choice of lodging, above all its location is decisive for the success of the stay (71%). Hotels, apartments, gîtes, campsites, and unusual accommodations are favored.
But contrary to assumptions, mobile travel by motorhome attracts only 17% of respondents.
As for the proximity of activities, it is imperative, especially for families. After all, reunions are important for family units where the parents are overwhelmed by their professional activities.
In these times and in general, the family vacation budget weighs heavily in their expenditures.
The choice of lodging, above all its location is decisive for the success of the stay (71%). Hotels, apartments, gîtes, campsites, and unusual accommodations are favored.
But contrary to assumptions, mobile travel by motorhome attracts only 17% of respondents.
As for the proximity of activities, it is imperative, especially for families. After all, reunions are important for family units where the parents are overwhelmed by their professional activities.
The Dream of Elsewhere Remains Tenacious
Nature Is Still a Priority
If reunion, sharing, and relaxation largely dominate expectations for family vacations, note that nature and culture remain at the top of desired experiences. This is not surprising.
But sporting activities and hiking are sought by more than half of the interviewed families, while adventure and outdoor activities in general account for 40% of expectations.
Theme parks, for their part, attract 35% of requests. As for the swimming pool, it remains a definite must.
And further, if needed, the sea remains the favorite destination for families, in summer (41%) but also in winter (26%). The mountains on their side collect only 14% of requests during the summer season…
But sporting activities and hiking are sought by more than half of the interviewed families, while adventure and outdoor activities in general account for 40% of expectations.
Theme parks, for their part, attract 35% of requests. As for the swimming pool, it remains a definite must.
And further, if needed, the sea remains the favorite destination for families, in summer (41%) but also in winter (26%). The mountains on their side collect only 14% of requests during the summer season…
A Market of 8 Million Families
Finally, and to conclude, note that the “No Kid” will not win the game against the “Kid Friendly”!
On the contrary, at a time when birth rates are falling sharply, the child is more than ever an important member of French society whose consumption and prescribing power are decisive.
The aim is to safeguard their integrity and to make vacation time a moment that is both playful and educational. And this, regardless of the family budget.
For those who do not travel, everything must be done to help them pack their backpack!
Source: Voyagefamily.pro
On the contrary, at a time when birth rates are falling sharply, the child is more than ever an important member of French society whose consumption and prescribing power are decisive.
The aim is to safeguard their integrity and to make vacation time a moment that is both playful and educational. And this, regardless of the family budget.
For those who do not travel, everything must be done to help them pack their backpack!
Source: Voyagefamily.pro
Josette Sicsic, journalist, consultant, speaker, has been observing for over 25 years the mutations of the world to analyze their consequences for the tourism sector.
After developing the Touriscopie journal for more than 20 years, she remains at the forefront of current events where she decodes the present to forecast the future. On the site www.tourmag.com, in the Futuroscopie section, she publishes several times a week forward-looking and analytical articles.
Contact: 06 14 47 99 04
Mail: [email protected]
After developing the Touriscopie journal for more than 20 years, she remains at the forefront of current events where she decodes the present to forecast the future. On the site www.tourmag.com, in the Futuroscopie section, she publishes several times a week forward-looking and analytical articles.
Contact: 06 14 47 99 04
Mail: [email protected]
