Check out this comprehensive list of family travel and tourism statistics, including top family destinations and the average travel budget for a family.
Family travel and tourism is one of the largest sub sectors within the travel industry.
This is especially true as more people realize the importance of spending quality time and experiencing new things with one’s family.
Family travel statistics reveal that millennials take an average of 2.6 trips annually, and those with families tend to travel more than couples or even solo travellers.
And did you know that the average family spends $3,835 per year on travel?
Below, you will find a comprehensive summary of the most interesting statistics about family travel, including the average annual budget, booking trends, popular activities, and top destinations they visit.
Let’s go!
Sources: I have included the source of each data under the stats, and you can go to the end of the post for a complete list of all the articles and sources used.
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Family tourism simply refers to the act of travelling and going on holidays with members of one’s family. This could be in the form of a nuclear family, skip generation (just the grandparents and grandchildren), or multi generation trip.
What is the most popular family travel destination?
Overall, Europe has the most international tourist arrivals in 2021, with the Americas coming in second.
But the most popular family-friendly destinations are Osaka, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bordeaux, and Athens.
How much do families spend on travel each year?
The average annual spending on family travel is $3,835. In terms of a family of four, the average trip is estimated to cost $4,580.
What are the effects of family vacations on family relationships?
Some of the proven benefits of taking vacations as a family is improving communication, strengthening marriage and family bonds, as well as boosting wellbeing for adults and children. Travelling is also a great way to create lifelong memories for the family.
Family Travel & Tourism Key Statistics
France, Japan, Greece, Thailand, and Malaysia are the top 5 family-friendly destinations.
The average annual spending on family travel is $3,835.
Families with a household income of more than $100,000 per year are slightly more likely (20%) to have used a travel adviser than families with lower income brackets.
The majority of millennial travellers (62%) brought children under the age of five to travel with them.
In the next 24 months, more people are planning to take family vacations with children (44%) than with friends (40%).
43% of American families have vacationed to a National Park with their children.
Generation Alpha has a huge role in influencing travel decisions in family trips.
Plane (54%) and car (47%) are the most popular means of transport for family travels.
In 2020, only 44% took a family vacation. This is well below the 70% prediction in 2019.
In 2021, 88% of parents said they were likely or very likely to travel with their children in the next 12 months.
Top family travel destinations
What are the top family travel destinations?
1. The top five family-friendly destinations are Osaka, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bordeaux, and Athens.
[Resonance]
The top five family-friendly destinations, according to Google, are Osaka, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bordeaux, France; and Athens, Greece.
2. Beach resorts are the top destination for 41% of millennial parents with children.
[Resonance]
3. The second most popular destination for millennial parents is major metropolitan locations (36%).
[Resonance]
4. The top destinations for families looking for adventures and outdoor fun are Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica, Jim Corbett National Park in India, and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
[TripAdvisor]
5. Cancun, Bali, and the Dominican Republic are the favorite beach destinations.
[TripAdvisor]
6. Zermatt, Switzerland, Jackson, Wyoming, and Banff (Alberta), are among the best places for families to go skiing.
[TripAdvisor]
7. Meanwhile, foodie families love Rome, London, and Paris as they offer Michelin-starred and rising-star experiences.
8. Finally, the top 3 City Lovers Destinations include Dubai, Istanbul, and Barcelona.
[TripAdvisor]
Family travel spending statistics
How much does the average family spend for travelling?
9. Based on estimations, the average trip for a family of four costs $4,580.
[CreditDonkey]
Including transportation, vacation rentals, food, and entertainment, the average vacation cost is $1,145 per person, which amounts to $4,580 for a family of four.
10. The estimated average cost of a family vacation makes up around 8% to 9% of the average household income.
[CreditDonkey]
11. In reality, the average annual spending on family travel was $3,835. The median amount was $2,435.
[Family Travel Association]
12. While on vacation, a family of 4 has to spend an average of $132 daily on food alone.
[CreditDonkey]
The figure excludes alcohol, snacks, or tips. This is why experts suggest hotels with kitchen facilities or renting Airbnbs.
13. In 2019, the average family travel budget is reported to be around $2,500.
[Family Travel Association]
14. Families with a household income of more than $100,000 per year are slightly more likely (20%) to have used a travel adviser than families with lower income brackets.
[Family Travel Association]
15. 44% of people traveling with family expect to spend more on future domestic travel, while 43% expect to spend about the same.
[Family Travel Association]
Only 13% of those polled expect to spend less money on domestic travel.
16. In contrast, only 22% of respondents anticipate spending more on future international trips, 36% anticipate spending the same, and 42% anticipate spending less.
[Family Travel Association]
17. People are willing to pay more for accommodations that offer free cancellation, rather than those that prioritize pandemic safety.
[Morning Consult]
This shows that hesitation to travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic is beginning to diminish.
18. Travellers are slightly more willing to pay a premium for accommodation flexibility and safety than they are for transportation (especially ground travel).
[Morning Consult]
Of course, not all travellers are eager to pay for the upgrade & instead opt for ways to find cheap hotels.
19. Lodging costs make up about 26% of total travel expenses for domestic trips and 21% for international trips.
[Value Penguin]
20. Overall, in family travel, people tend to agree that experience is more important than expense.
[Expedia Group]
21. 80% of visitors who spend a lot of money on travel are between the ages of 18 and 34, compared to 56% of travellers over the age of 50.
[Expedia]
Younger families tend to spend more when traveling compare to their older relatives.
Family travel demographics
What is the average family who travels like?
22. The majority of millennial travellers (62%) brought children under the age of five to travel with them.
[Resonance]
23. The average millennial takes 2.6 trips per year, and those with families travel significantly more than couples or singles.
[Resonance]
According to data from the TMS Family Travel Summit in 2016, there are 80 million millennials in the U.S., all of whom take an average of 2.6 trips each year. Those with families travel significantly more than couples or singles.
24. 62% of millennial parents are traveling with children younger than five years old.
[Resonance]
Experts infer that this is because children under five aren’t yet limited by a school calendar.
25. In the next 24 months, more people are planning to take family vacations with children (44%) than with friends (40%).
[Resonance]
26. Across the world, travellers with Generation Alphas take at least three family trips per year.
[Expedia Group]
27. 52% of respondents intend to take a multigenerational trip, while 11% intend to take their children on a skip-generational trip with their grandparents.
[Family Travel Association]
28. 45% of respondents are planning a trip with family members other than their parents and in-laws.
[Family Travel Association]
29. All in all, 62% of all travellers are planning to visit family and friends.
[Family Travel Association]
In a family travel survey by NYU, 62% of respondents say that they are travelling to visit family and friends.
30. Out of travellers who go on family trips, 34% are taking multi-generational vacations.
[Resonance]
This means that grandparents are getting to spend quality time with their grandkids.
American family travel statistics
What is family travel like in the United States?
31. The majority of Americans (23%) intend to travel abroad this spring.
The top three popular international travel destinations in spring are the well-known European cities: Paris, London, and Rome.
[TripAdvisor]
32. 35% of Americans want to take a vacation of 50 miles or more away from home with two or more immediate family members.
[AAA]
33. 43% of American families have vacationed to a National Park with their children.
[Family Travel Association]
34. The top domestic travel destinations in 2022 for Americans were Orlando, Destin, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Panama City, and Maui.
[Expedia]
35. The top international travel destinations in 2022 for Americans were Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Rome, Bali, London, and Paris.
[Expedia]
36. Four-wheel drive, ATV & off-road tours, day trips, cultural tours, and snorkeling are the top experience categories that Americans are booking for spring 2022.
[TripAdvisor]
37. This spring in the US, road trips remain the most popular type of getaway (44%) followed by beach vacations (39%), and shopping vacations (30%).
[TripAdvisor]
38. Over half (51%) of Americans who traveled in spring of 2021 intend to do so again, with nearly a quarter (23%) planning to spend significantly more.
[TripAdvisor]
Family travel planning and booking
How do families plan and book their travels? Why do they travel?
39. To help them decide where to visit, millennial parents refer to online peer evaluations and ratings on websites like TripAdvisor and Yelp (37%), and social media posts by family members and friends (29%).
[Resonance]
40. For millennials, the less contact with people there is while booking a hotel or vacation, the better.
Nearly half (47%) say they prefer booking through particular hotel, resort, and airline websites, while two-thirds (64%) say they prefer booking through travel websites.
[Resonance]
41. Free Internet/WiFi Passes (68%), privacy (57%), and swimming pools (50%) are among the most sought-after hotel amenities.
43. Generation Alpha has a huge role in influencing travel decisions in family trips.
[Expedia Group]
Generation Alpha includes anyone born in and after 2010.
44. In a 2021 survey, 65% of respondents would consider using a travel advisor when it comes to family travel in the next two years.
[Family Travel Association]
45. In the last five years, only 1 out of 4 families have used a travel agent.
[Family Travel Association]
46. 46% of families say that they’ve brought their kids on trips for family reunions.
[Family Travel Association]
47. 95% of family travellers prioritize keeping their families entertained and happy.
[ShortTermRentalz]
48. 89% of family travellers prioritize deals and values when planning their travels.
[ShortTermRentalz]
49. 85% of family travellers think that outdoor activities, planning around school holidays, and near major attractions or theme parks are equally important.
[ShortTermRentalz]
Top family travel trends
How do families like to travel?
50. 52% of families choose their transportation based on speed, while 34% do so based on cost.
[Expedia Group]
51. As such, plane (54%) and car (47%) are the most popular means of transport for family travels.
[ShortTermRentalz]
52. The top travel trends in family travel include adventure trips, multigenerational trips, beach resort stays, celebration travels, and various tours.
[Resonance]
53. 49% of families who travel state their main priority during a family vacation is visiting new places and exploring together.
[Family Travel Association]
54. 42% of families say that the priority in a family trip is to relax and unwind together.
[Family Travel Association]
55. Meanwhile, 6% of them state that being active and outdoors together is the main priority.
[Family Travel Association]
56. Domestic tourism and close-to-home travel, as well as open-air activities, nature-based products, and rural tourism, are among the major travel trends that shaped tourism in 2022.
[UNWTO]
57. Shopping and attending concerts/festivals are both declining in popularity.
[EVOLVE]
Only 6% and 7% of respondents named those activities as their top choices for 2022, respectively.
Coronavirus impact on family travel
How did the Covid-19 pandemic impact the way families travel?
58. In 2020, only 44% took a family vacation. This is well below the 70% prediction in 2019.
[Family Travel Association]
59. 80% of family travellers changed their travel plans.
[Family Travel Association]
The 2019 US Family Travel Survey revealed that 80% of respondents changed their travel plans.
60. From those, 64% of domestic travel arrangements were canceled or postponed, while 23% international travel arrangements were canceled or postponed.
[Family Travel Association]
61. International travel is still a top choice for 27% of tourists, despite the ongoing restrictions.
[EVOLVE]
This reveals a growing interest in overseas travel and for families to expose their children to international cultures.
62. Travellers are not avoiding areas with historically higher COVID case counts.
[EVOLVE]
Despite the high case count, the U.S. coastal south ranked first (nearly 40%, a margin of 10% higher than any other area) among places travellers want to visit next year.
63. Those who did continue to travel frequently despite the ongoing pandemic adjusted their trips: 36% chose a destination they could drive to instead of flying, 31% adjusted their trip to accommodate travel restrictions, and 28% chose a destination where social distancing would be easier.
[Family Travel Association]
64. 43% of those who reported cancellations received a full refund, while 27% received full travel credit.
[Family Travel Association]
65. In October 2022, the majority of experts (64%) expect international arrivals to return to pre-pandemic levels only in 2024 or later.
[UNWTO]
This is actually an increase from just 45% in September 2022.
66. In 2019, 68% of respondents said they intended to visit a museum or cultural attraction; that figure has now dropped to 36%. Cruises were also reduced from 36% to 10%.
[Family Travel Association]
67. Family vacations were planned by 64% for the summer of 2021 and 56% for the summer of 2022.
[Family Travel Association]
68. US families agree that having to forgo travel during the pandemic has made them appreciate the importance of family vacations (rated 4.1 out of 5).
[Family Travel Association]
The future of family travel and tourism
What is the future like for family travel and tourism?
69. In the next two years, the same percentage of millenials (40%) are most likely to go on vacation with friends and to stay with friends/family when travelling.
[Resonance]
This might hint at the growing trend of multiple families going on a vacation together.
70. In 2021, 88% of parents said they were likely or very likely to travel with their children in the next 12 months.
[Family Travel Association]
Travel intent in 2021 was higher than in 2019 (70%) and 2018 (79%). For families who do not intend to travel, affordability concerns actually trump COVID concerns.
71. In 2021, 80% of respondents say that they will only book from companies with flexible cancellation policies.
[Family Travel Association]
72. Following the pandemic in 2021, 85% of visitors from Britain or Germany who clicked on hotels on Tripadvisor intended to travel overseas.
[TripAdvisor]
73. Just over half (53%) of all hotel clicks by American tourists during the same time period went to overseas countries.
[TripAdvisor]
74. The percentage of international hotel clicks in countries like Australia (14%) and Japan (10%) were far lower.
[TripAdvisor]
75. 70% of unvaccinated families intend to visit theme and water parks in the next 12 months (tying with beach vacations as their top choice).
[Family Travel Association]
76. Meanwhile, only 59% of partially vaccinated families and 50% of fully vaccinated families intend to visit theme and water parks in the next 12 months.
[Family Travel Association]
This proves that families who are vaccinated tend to also fall under the category of people worried about contracting Coronavirus.
77. Families will pay more attention to cancellation policies (56%) and health and safety considerations on future travel plans (55%).
[Family Travel Association]
78. Even after COVID-19 has been contained, 26% of respondents say they will be less likely to consider a cruise.
[Family Travel Association]
79. 15% of them are also less likely to consider international travel.
[Family Travel Association]
Interestingly, respondents who indicate that their family is fully or partially vaccinated are more likely to report these long-term apprehensions than respondents with unvaccinated families.
80. Due to the pandemic, 15% of respondents are still unwilling to fly internationally.
[Family Travel Association]
81. In 2021, 45% of family respondents state that they’re not planning to travel overseas at this time.
[Family Travel Association]
81. As the number of American households who own a pet grew by 14% between 1988 and 2022, we can expect more families to be travelling with their pets in the future.
[APPA]
In 2022, 90.5 million households owned a pet, which has grown by 14% from 1988. Considering that 37% of pet owners travel with their pets, it's possible to see a growth in the number of family travellers who bring their pets on trips.
Conclusion
It’s clear that family travel will remain a crucial trend in the future.
While the Coronavirus pandemic has caused many to cancel their plans and bookings, we can see that a lot of families are planning to take a vacation together soon.
We hope these statistics could help you understand more about family travel and tourism.
Did we miss any important aspects around this subject?
Disclaimer: Fully research your destination prior to travel, or any products prior to purchase. We can accept no responsibility for anything you experience as a result of the information found on this website. Some posts may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission for some purchases, at no additional expense to you. Read more here.
I'm an Economics graduate with a passion for travel. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. You'll find me working out of a cafe in Bali, perhaps on a riverboat in Brazil or maybe even an airport lounge in New Delhi.
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