Family travel trends for 2024
Responsible Travel’s family vacation experts give the lowdown on what families should be looking for in 2024.
Responsible Travel has gathered expert advice from around the world to give you a little inspiration for when you sit down to plan your next big family vacation. Our report features places you may not have thought of visiting before, the destinations that never leave the map, and the exciting – and sustainable – directions that people are taking their vacations.
Responsible Travel has gathered expert advice from around the world to give you a little inspiration for when you sit down to plan your next big family vacation. Our report features places you may not have thought of visiting before, the destinations that never leave the map, and the exciting – and sustainable – directions that people are taking their vacations.
Where to go on a family vacation in 2024
There’s a buzz about Albania – it offers sun, sea, mountains, lakes, canyons and a fascinating, friendly culture!![]()
The Balkans
Something is brewing in the Balkans. At Responsible Travel we’ve seen interest grow and grow in the area. Whilst some families will look at Slovenia and Bosnia for active breaks, others might need a bit more coastline.
Emma Heywood, owner and director of our family vacation specialist Undiscovered Balkans, is happy that families are starting to discover the wonders of Albania. “There’s a buzz about Albania as an under-explored destination in Europe,” she says, “one that offers sun, sea, mountains, lakes, canyons, and a fascinating, friendly culture!”
Croatia continues to be the number one destination for families, especially in the summer vacation, thanks to its plethora of water-based activities.
“Croatia is so fab. Europe is hot that time of year, but the bulk of Croatia is along the Dalmatian coast so you go from one beach to another,” says Liddy Pleasants, managing director of our family vacation specialist Stubborn Mule Travel. “There are loads of water-based activities. Though it’s very hot you can still do things to keep you cool, like boat rides and stand up paddleboarding.”
But, whilst Croatia is a top family destination, especially for those looking for multi activity vacations, prices in the country have risen. Neighbouring Montenegro is still less expensive than Croatia, and is proving increasingly popular for activity vacations in Montenegro, thanks to Lake Skadar, and the nearby Adriatic beaches.
Emma Heywood, owner and director of our family vacation specialist Undiscovered Balkans, is happy that families are starting to discover the wonders of Albania. “There’s a buzz about Albania as an under-explored destination in Europe,” she says, “one that offers sun, sea, mountains, lakes, canyons, and a fascinating, friendly culture!”
Croatia continues to be the number one destination for families, especially in the summer vacation, thanks to its plethora of water-based activities.
“Croatia is so fab. Europe is hot that time of year, but the bulk of Croatia is along the Dalmatian coast so you go from one beach to another,” says Liddy Pleasants, managing director of our family vacation specialist Stubborn Mule Travel. “There are loads of water-based activities. Though it’s very hot you can still do things to keep you cool, like boat rides and stand up paddleboarding.”
But, whilst Croatia is a top family destination, especially for those looking for multi activity vacations, prices in the country have risen. Neighbouring Montenegro is still less expensive than Croatia, and is proving increasingly popular for activity vacations in Montenegro, thanks to Lake Skadar, and the nearby Adriatic beaches.
When we describe it, people think it sounds completely fabulous and say, sign me up!![]()
Sri Lanka
We really rate Sri Lanka family vacations. The island nation is incredibly popular among families.
Why? “It’s quite a lot of word of mouth, I think,” says Liddy, “when we describe it, people think Sri Lanka sounds completely fabulous and say, sign me up! It’s small and compact, you can cover off quite a lot, there’s a diversity of things to do. There’s culture, amazing wildlife, scenery, beach.
“And it’s really good in all school vacations – apart from October half term. You can do different things in different parts of the island each time.
“And it’s very heavy on really lovely boutique hotels, like small tea plantation hotels with four, five or six rooms.”
Sri Lanka is getting increasingly busy, but there are ways around that. Whilst many head to Yala National Park for a chance to glimpse its elusive leopards, most visitors arrive at the park’s busy Block 1 and the area is becoming overtouristed. Block 5 is quieter. Dave Tucker, co founder of The Beyond Tourism Company, explains its appeal,
“Block 5 is a drier, larger environment with non-habituated animals. That way you’re seeing leopards – but not contributing to overtourism.”
Why? “It’s quite a lot of word of mouth, I think,” says Liddy, “when we describe it, people think Sri Lanka sounds completely fabulous and say, sign me up! It’s small and compact, you can cover off quite a lot, there’s a diversity of things to do. There’s culture, amazing wildlife, scenery, beach.
“And it’s really good in all school vacations – apart from October half term. You can do different things in different parts of the island each time.
“And it’s very heavy on really lovely boutique hotels, like small tea plantation hotels with four, five or six rooms.”
Sri Lanka is getting increasingly busy, but there are ways around that. Whilst many head to Yala National Park for a chance to glimpse its elusive leopards, most visitors arrive at the park’s busy Block 1 and the area is becoming overtouristed. Block 5 is quieter. Dave Tucker, co founder of The Beyond Tourism Company, explains its appeal,
“Block 5 is a drier, larger environment with non-habituated animals. That way you’re seeing leopards – but not contributing to overtourism.”
Zimbabwe
“Zimbabwe is finally back on the travel map,” says Liddy. “We weren’t really suggesting it as wildlife was depleted but the numbers are buoyant now. And Zimbabwe guides are reputed across Africa.” The recognised cohort of Zimbabwe Pro Guides go through rigorous training to get their qualifications, and it shows.
In the last few decades, the country’s national parks have struggled without tourist money or investment. Zimbabwe emerged from a long period of political and economic hardships in the wake of President Robert Mugabe’s death, and the situation has been improving for both people and wildlife.
Victoria Falls are a reason alone to visit the country, but the safari reserves, like Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, Matabos National Park, Lake Kariba, and Gonarezhou National Park are others. Mana Pools is known for hippo, and Matabos for rhino, and the grounds of safari lodge accommodation often features free-roaming warthogs. But Hwange steals the show, with its 45,000 elephants. The park can be combined with neighbouring Botswana, with which it shares its border.
These vacations are best for older children – some small group tours have a minimum age of 12, and walking safaris have strict age limits for safety.
In the last few decades, the country’s national parks have struggled without tourist money or investment. Zimbabwe emerged from a long period of political and economic hardships in the wake of President Robert Mugabe’s death, and the situation has been improving for both people and wildlife.
Victoria Falls are a reason alone to visit the country, but the safari reserves, like Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, Matabos National Park, Lake Kariba, and Gonarezhou National Park are others. Mana Pools is known for hippo, and Matabos for rhino, and the grounds of safari lodge accommodation often features free-roaming warthogs. But Hwange steals the show, with its 45,000 elephants. The park can be combined with neighbouring Botswana, with which it shares its border.
These vacations are best for older children – some small group tours have a minimum age of 12, and walking safaris have strict age limits for safety.
Activity vacation in Montenegro
An active villa vacation at stunning Lake Skadar, Montenegro
From
£745 to £845
8 days
ex flights
Altiplano de Granada activity vacation, Spain
Multi-activity family vacation in the Spanish Lake District
From
€495 to €793
8 days
ex flights
Croatia activity vacation for families with teenagers
Rafting, kayaks, canyons & beaches. Family action in Croatia
From
£995
8 days
ex flights
Kenya family vacation
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Kenya
From
£3750 to £5500
12 days
ex flights
Nepal family vacation
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Nepal
From
£1750 to £2250
12 days
ex flights
Costa Rica family vacation
Discover Costa Rica's famous national parks
From
US $4500 to US $4950
15 days
ex flights
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What trends are we seeing in family vacations?
Longer trips
Massive flight price hikes in 2023 – some routes went up by 50 percent – and the soaring cost of energy and food around the world, has made vacationing harder for families. Yet, where possible, families still prioritised travel.The popularity of a classic two week break in either the easter or summer vacation isn’t going away any time soon. Instead, families have been foregoing shorter breaks at other times of year. “Speaking anecdotally,” says Liddy, “when we talk to families on the phone, they say they are forgoing the ski trip at February half term – but they still want to do their one big trip a year.”
Longer trips to destinations like Japan and South Korea, Costa Rica, Nepal and Borneo are growing in popularity, and people are also looking at traveling further afield in Europe from the UK – as far as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Families want to make the most of their flights. You might book a week long vacation, and then decide to extend it either side with some beach time, or time in your arrival city.
“We’ve calculated that 80 percent of families who do our one-week vacation will book pre or post stays,” says Brett Smith from our family adventure vacation experts, Green World Vacations. “This trend has increased largely due to flight costs. If you’re a family of four and flights on a Sunday are £500 per person, and you can find a similar flight mid-week for £300 per person, then you’ve saved £800 just on the flights. People think: ‘I’ve just saved £800 – I can put that into a vacation experience.’”
Electric bikes
Family vacations are embracing tech in many new forms. Whether that’s the increasing number of solar panels we’re finding being added to accommodation, or apps that help everyone identify birds and flowers. And then there’s electric bikes. With multi-generation vacations on the rise, e-bikes have been democratising cycling.
“We’ve made sure e-bikes are available for anyone in the family group who is not quite at the same physical level as their youngsters,” says Emma at Undiscovered Balkans. Destinations around the world are adding e-bikes to their arsenal – though you’ll find that the minimum age for their use means that it’s the adults who’ll be battery-powered, whilst kids can burn off their excess energy.
“We’ve made sure e-bikes are available for anyone in the family group who is not quite at the same physical level as their youngsters,” says Emma at Undiscovered Balkans. Destinations around the world are adding e-bikes to their arsenal – though you’ll find that the minimum age for their use means that it’s the adults who’ll be battery-powered, whilst kids can burn off their excess energy.
Citizen science
A rising number of vacations are using tech to incorporate an element of citizen science. Technology is helping children find out everything from the name of the whale they’ve just spotted between Azores islands, to the animals that have visited a camera trap in the night on an Africa safari. What’s more, their findings can be added to global databases, where they could end up being used by scientists and conservationists.
Whilst citizen science often requires an element of smartphone use, there’s plenty of space for good, old-fashioned fun on an adventure vacation, “Parents are so grateful seeing their kids get away from their screens,” says Brett Smith at Green World Vacations.
Whilst citizen science often requires an element of smartphone use, there’s plenty of space for good, old-fashioned fun on an adventure vacation, “Parents are so grateful seeing their kids get away from their screens,” says Brett Smith at Green World Vacations.
Adventure without age limits
Families have been embracing adventure vacations for a few years now – the concept of bonding with your family by flinging them all off a cliff (canyoning, coasteering) or overboard (rafting, snorkelling) has become popular over the last 20 years. So, what’s changed?
“We’re seeing families becoming more and more adventurous,” says Emma from Undiscovered Balkans, “They’re looking for adrenaline activities like canyoning and white-water rafting, with children as young as six or seven.”
Most adventurous outings are best when your kids are 10 or over – especially for more difficult activities like cross country skiing, or quad biking. Adventure vacations are hugely popular with teenagers “when they are getting bigger and a bit bored of beach vacations,” says Brett. “Parents want to keep them active and entertained.”
If you’ve younger children, look to the Balkans. “They have guaranteed summer sun,” agrees Emma, “there are licensed, well-trained instructors if you pick the right company, and of course the culture is incredibly kid-friendly.”
As for even younger children, they can go rafting on a multi activity trip in Granada, Spain when they’re as young as four. On a Morocco family adventure children as young as seven can cycle in the Draa Valley, and go camel trekking. Young children can even learn to scuba dive as part of an Gozo activity vacation. “It depends on the child, and how confident they are – so we have the bubble maker course – basically a snorkel and first intro to scuba,” says Amy Hope of our family vacation partner, Activities Abroad.
“We’re seeing families becoming more and more adventurous,” says Emma from Undiscovered Balkans, “They’re looking for adrenaline activities like canyoning and white-water rafting, with children as young as six or seven.”
Most adventurous outings are best when your kids are 10 or over – especially for more difficult activities like cross country skiing, or quad biking. Adventure vacations are hugely popular with teenagers “when they are getting bigger and a bit bored of beach vacations,” says Brett. “Parents want to keep them active and entertained.”
If you’ve younger children, look to the Balkans. “They have guaranteed summer sun,” agrees Emma, “there are licensed, well-trained instructors if you pick the right company, and of course the culture is incredibly kid-friendly.”
As for even younger children, they can go rafting on a multi activity trip in Granada, Spain when they’re as young as four. On a Morocco family adventure children as young as seven can cycle in the Draa Valley, and go camel trekking. Young children can even learn to scuba dive as part of an Gozo activity vacation. “It depends on the child, and how confident they are – so we have the bubble maker course – basically a snorkel and first intro to scuba,” says Amy Hope of our family vacation partner, Activities Abroad.
Going vegan
It’s simple maths: the more people who are traveling, the more likely they are to have a variety of diets. But families with vegans, vegetarians, dairy or gluten intolerances, or other dietary requirements, are finding it more and more likely that their destination is wholly on board at catering to them. Responsible Travel has increased our number of vegan vacations from 114 in 2021, to over 1,500.
“It’s impressive in Croatia,” says Brett from Green World Vacations, “Everyone, from the big supermarkets to small ones closest to our serviced apartments, is now stocking dairy free and gluten free – just like in Britain. My daughter has an intolerance so I’m really hot on it – I’ll have a look in all the local supermarkets to see what they have.”
“It’s impressive in Croatia,” says Brett from Green World Vacations, “Everyone, from the big supermarkets to small ones closest to our serviced apartments, is now stocking dairy free and gluten free – just like in Britain. My daughter has an intolerance so I’m really hot on it – I’ll have a look in all the local supermarkets to see what they have.”
Train travel
Families are becoming more interested in making greener travel choices – but only if they’re easy, which train travel often isn’t.
It is wonderful to get to your vacation by train, however this might not work if the train tickets are only released three months ahead of schedule and you want to get your trip all planned by January. And crossing more than a couple of countries can involve an intimidating booking process.
As for public transport once you’re there: that’s a different story. We’re pleased to see families embracing public transport – increasingly easy, now that you can look up a local bus timetable on your phone.
“It was only 10 years ago that the majority of our family guests would arrive with a hire car on our single center break at Lake Skadar,” says Emma at Undiscovered Balkans. “These days it’s a surprise if someone turns up with a car.”
It is wonderful to get to your vacation by train, however this might not work if the train tickets are only released three months ahead of schedule and you want to get your trip all planned by January. And crossing more than a couple of countries can involve an intimidating booking process.
As for public transport once you’re there: that’s a different story. We’re pleased to see families embracing public transport – increasingly easy, now that you can look up a local bus timetable on your phone.
“It was only 10 years ago that the majority of our family guests would arrive with a hire car on our single center break at Lake Skadar,” says Emma at Undiscovered Balkans. “These days it’s a surprise if someone turns up with a car.”
Other sustainable options
As for trying greener travel options – like homestays, meals with local people, supporting local craft villages, or visiting conservation projects – these kinds of experiences might be the most memorable part of the trip, but they’re not always front of mind when you’re trying to plan. Booking with a responsible operator means that you have a planner working these things into your itinerary, saving you the time and headspace.
“We make suggestions about making it more responsible, memorable, and unique – give families something they’ve not thought of. If they’re amenable to sustainability we push it,” says Dave Tucker at the Beyond Tourism Company. Most families who end up choosing homestays and meals with their hosts find these the most memorable parts of their trips.
And there’s the crux: family travel trends might come and go, but making memories will never go out of fashion.
“We make suggestions about making it more responsible, memorable, and unique – give families something they’ve not thought of. If they’re amenable to sustainability we push it,” says Dave Tucker at the Beyond Tourism Company. Most families who end up choosing homestays and meals with their hosts find these the most memorable parts of their trips.
And there’s the crux: family travel trends might come and go, but making memories will never go out of fashion.
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