FACT SHEET
TRAVEL BRINGS FAMILIES
CLOSER TOGETHER
NO INVESTMENT CAN MATCH THE RETURN YOU GET FROM A FAMILY VACATION
Three-quarters (76%) of parents believe that family vacations are worth the time and money because they “give my child
experiences that they will remember years down the road.”
Similarly, a strong majority (75%) of parents surveyed stated that the money and time spent on family vacations is justified
because the memories are “priceless.”
Half of parents (49%) believe family vacations are worth the investment because “Vacations are the highlight of everyone’s
year” and nearly seven in ten parents (69%) say “it’s enjoyable to remember this ‘together time’ when I get busy with daily
life.”
With busy family schedules crammed full of activities, a solid majority of parents (53%) reported that “family vacations are
one of the few things that families do together.”
CHILDREN SAY FAMILY VACATIONS GIVE THEM “QUALITY TIME” WITH THEIR PARENTS
Nearly every child surveyed (93%) agreed that on vacations “I get to spend quality time with my parents.” The majority of children (53%) “strongly agree” that “vacations bring my family closer together.”
FEW MEMORIES ARE BETTER THAN THOSE FROM FAMILY VACATIONS
Youth participants ages 8-18 surveyed strongly agreed that on family vacations:
They get to “see and do new things that I’ll remember for a long time” (64%);
Some of their “best memories are of things that I did during a family vacation” (49%).
FAMILY VACATIONS GIVE PARENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR OWN CHILDHOOD
More than half (55%) reported that “I have fond memories of vacations that I took as a child, and I want to create similar
experiences for my family.”
Basing family vacations on ones taken as children is more prevalent among those in households with children under 18
(46%) than among those without (28%).
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FACT SHEET
FAMILY VACATIONS CREATE
LASTING MEMORIES
PARENTS UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF INCLUDING GRANDPARENTS ON FAMILY VACATIONS
While slightly less than half (49%) of adults believe strongly that family vacations are worthwhile because they provide
opportunities for multiple generations to come together, children are very enthusiastic about traveling with their
grandparents.
Approximately half (54%) of youth vacationers have taken a family vacation that included their grandparents.
Children who traveled with their grandparents reported that during vacations, they get to spend quality time with their
grandparents (78%), they feel closer to their grandparents (60%), and they learn new things about their grandparents (48%).
Nearly two-thirds of children like to remember stories about what they did with their grandparents on vacation when they
return home (65%).
Grandparents agree: Adults 55 and older are more likely than any other age group to agree that family vacations are worth
the time and money because they provide opportunities for multiple generations to come together.
TRAVEL CREATES MEMORIES THAT LAST FOR DECADES
Three-quarters (75%) of vacationers older than 55 agreed that they still have “vivid” memories of childhood vacations.
These memories are more vivid than memories of school events (66%) or birthdays (59%).
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents over 55 reported that the time of their earliest memory was between five and ten
years old.
Respondents 55 or older treasure their vacation memories:
85% agree that some of their favorite photographs or videos are from family vacations.
84% still reminisce with their family about vacations they took years ago.
83% report that some of their favorite family stories are from family vacations.
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1100 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 450
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FACT SHEET
HOW FAMILIES CAPTURE & SHARE
VACATION MEMORIES
NOT SURPRISINGLY, PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE TOP CHOICE FOR CAPTURING VACATION MEMORIES
Almost all vacationers surveyed take photos (93%) to ensure vacations will be remembered.
The trend was equally strong among young people between the ages of 8-18 who overwhelmingly (93%) believe “It’s
important to take photos/videos in order to best remember a family vacation.”
Almost half of 18-34 year olds (44%) reported they record video in order to capture family memories.
REGARDLESS OF AGE, SOCIAL MEDIA IS VERY POPULAR FOR SHARING VACATION MEMORIES
The majority of 18-34 year olds (58%) and roughly half of 35-44 year olds (48%) share details of their vacations online
through Facebook, online photo albums, or blogs.
Half (51%) of parents with children post pictures and stories from family vacations online.
A bit surprisingly, a full quarter of both the youngest (25% of those ages 8-12) and oldest (26% of those 55 and older)
respondents are sharing vacation memories online.
Facebook is the top choice for sharing photos for a third of all adults (33%), while almost one in four (21%) post to Snapfish,
Picassa and other online photo albums.
More than a third of 8-18 year olds post pictures on Facebook and Twitter (38%), while a quarter (25%) write about their
experiences on Facebook, Twitter or an online blog.
SHOW AND TELL: BUYING SOUVENIRS STILL AS POPULAR AS EVER
More than half (55%) of adults say they buy souvenirs to remember their family vacations.
Souvenir buying is more popular among younger vacationers than older ones. Six in ten (60%) respondents 18-34 years old
say they bring home vacation souvenirs – compared to roughly half (49%) of the 55+ set.
Despite the popularity of social media sites, a strong majority (57%) of vacationers between 8-18 years old indicate that they
like to “share souvenirs, photos, or videos with my friends in person.”
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EMAIL [email protected]
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FACT SHEET
THE GREAT OUTDOORS CREATE
LASTING FAMILY VACATION MEMORIES
OUTDOOR VACATIONS CAN PROVIDE THE ADVENTURE THAT CHILDREN ARE SEEKING
When it comes to family vacations, children are eager to experience new things. More than two-thirds (68%) of children
surveyed believe that a family vacation is an opportunity to try activities that they cannot do at home.
When asked to identify their favorite memory from their last family vacation, more children (42%) selected “what they did”
than any other category.
BEACH AND OCEAN TRIPS AMONG THE FAVORITE VACATION MEMORIES
When asked to share their earliest vacation memory, going to the beach was specifically cited by many adults (14%).
Similarly, when asked about their favorite travel memory, children remembered going to the beach (9%), going swimming
(4%), playing or swimming in the ocean (3%), and seeing nature or animals (3%).
PHONE (202) 408-8422
FAX (202) 408-1255
EMAIL [email protected]
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 450
Washington, DC 20005-3934
www.TravelEffect.com