A recent survey has found out that 80 per cent of Indian parents choose holidays that keep kids occupied and get the parents more ‘me-time’
Everyone deserves a vacation to relax, and kids are no exception. From homework and chores, to staying on their best behavior, being a kid can be hard work. So, it becomes equally important for the parents to take in the small one’s decision while choosing the place for vacation. They admit that ‘keeping the kids happy’ makes for a more memorable and enjoyable holiday for all. According to a survey by Holiday Inn®, it is seen that the children are ‘wearing the trousers’ when it comes to deciding where to go and what to do on holidays.
A resounding 7 in 10 respondents of the Do More of What You love survey, which saw travellers across the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region offer insights into family holidays, say it is important to get their little one’s input when choosing how and where to spend precious family breaks. In addition, over 80 per cent of parents in almost every country surveyed, always or at least frequently, chose holiday destinations based on making sure their kids will be occupied and happy because it meant a greater possibility of getting more ‘me-time’ for them.
lee lin Teo, Head of Brand Management for the Holiday Inn Brand Family across Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) said, “It’s clear travellers around the region are balancing several factors when making holiday decisions; wanting ‘me-time’ for themselves to unwind, finding the right holiday spot that allows their family to spend time together and reconnect as well as ensuring their kids will be kept occupied and entertained.” He further added, “We know it’s important to prioritise every family member’s down-time; be that recreational activities with our hotel and resorts’ teams, an hour’s solitude at one of our spas or checking into the Kids’ Club to take a break from the parents.”
While trying to find this balance can be hard, it seems it’s certainly worth it in the end with over 60 per cent of respondents saying their children often, or very often, talk favourably about their holidays — the fun times together, activities and new friends made — and of these, just over a half (51 per cent) say their family holidays are some of their children’s greatest memories.
Delving deeper into what makes for a fun, more memorable break, parents are instinctively spot on when it comes to knowing what makes their kids happy on holidays. In fact, when asked, parents listed these activities as the top three things their kids love to do most on their breaks — swimming in the pool or ocean, playing at the beach and visiting nearby theme or waterparks.
Kids (regardless of age or gender) agree, listing the same activities in the same order as the top things they love doing on holidays. However, boys say they enjoy eating different kinds of food and learning to play sports, while girls say that playing with siblings, making new friends, as well as enjoying arts and crafts are their other top interests on holidays.
When it’s time to wrap up the trip, for most travellers the best holiday souvenirs are the memories made and the way we remember good times on holidays doesn’t change dramatically across the region, with social media, unsurprisingly, the preferred choice for displaying holiday photos on their return home.
Parents say they create albums of pictures taken throughout the trip, while child-free respondents display souvenirs around their home to remind them of their recent holiday and just over 12 per cent of survey respondents don’t usually do anything to keep holiday memories alive once they returned home.
Across India, there are 10 Holiday Inn hotels and resorts open and an additional 17 due to open within the next three to five years. Globally, there are almost 1,200 Holiday Inn hotels and resorts open, with a further 260 due to open in the next three to five years.