80% of Indian parents surveyed choose holidays that keep kids occupied and happy, and gets the parents more ‘me-time’
· 7 out of 10 adults say it’s important to get their kids’ input on where to go and how to spend their breaks
· Family holidays cited as ‘some of our kids’ greatest memories’
New Delhi, December 15, 2016:Children are ‘wearing the trousers’ when it comes to deciding where to go and what to do on holidays, a Holiday Inn®survey has found, as parents admit ‘keeping the kids happy’ makes for a more memorable and enjoyable holiday for all.
A resounding 7 in 10 respondents of the Holiday Inn ‘Do More of What You Love’ survey, which saw travellers across the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) regionofferinsights into family holidays,say itis importantto get their little one’s input when choosing how and where to spend precious family breaks. In addition, over 80% of mums and dads 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) says: “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 reconnectas well as ensuring their kids will be kept occupied and entertained.
“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.
Shantha de Silva, Head of South West Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) says: “Holiday Inn Hotels & Resortsprovide comfortable and affordable accommodation for the whole familyand we have been leading the way for over 60 years. Through pioneering initiatives such as our Kids Stay and Eat Free® programme, we aim toprovide the best guest experience possible so that families can make the most of their holidays together.”
While trying to find this balance can be hard, it seems it’s certainly worth it in the end with over 60% 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%) 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, mums and dads listed these activities as the top three things their kids love to do most on their breaks:
1. swimming in the pool or ocean;
2. playing at the beach; and
3. 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, boyssay 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 travellersthe best holiday souvenirsare 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.
Parentssay 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% of survey respondents don’t usually do anything to keep holiday memories alive once they have 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*.
Figures as at 30th September 2016
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
