Booking.com’s ‘Gen.Voyage!’ explores trends in intergenerational travel in India

This study examines the prevalence of travel where grandparents, parents, children and other extended family members travel together for leisure.

Booking.com unveiled its Gen.Voyage! research on intergenerational travel showcasing insights garnered from over 8,000 travellers across 11 markets and territories including India. With over half (57%) Indians planning to take intergenerational trips in the next 12 months, this research, the first of its kind in APAC, examines the prevalence of travel where grandparents, parents, children and other extended family members travel together for leisure.

In APAC, multigenerational households are 43% more common than the global average.  Booking.com conducted this research to better understand how family dynamics across generations could influence travel behaviour and decision making. Intergenerational travel brings families closer together, with 51% of Indians travellers highlighting the joy of bonding and creating lasting memories with loved ones during their vacations, while 43% value reconnecting with family that they don’t meet often. 44% feel that it is an opportunity to learn from different generational perspectives and 35% feel it creates a lasting impact on personal growth and worldviews. Interestingly, 35% of Indian travellers believe that these holidays also make travel affordable by sharing costs.

In APAC, millennials often take the lead in planning family trips, driving 48% of travel arrangements with their tech-savvy approach. Besides, Gen Zs are eager to chip in, with 47% co-planning and personalising itineraries. Baby Boomers, on the other hand, tend to take a backseat, with only 23% actively involved in planning.

Planning a trip that pleases everyone is like solving a puzzle, with 31% grappling with clashing interests, priorities and activity preferences, 32% balancing relaxation and adventure and 23% catering to diverse dietary needs. Balancing energy levels and stamina (27%), keeping children engaged while also engaging older adults (28%) and managing conflicts that arise from generational gaps (27%) can further complicate the travel experience. It’s all about compromising and ensuring that everyone has something to look forward to. Additionally, one out of four Indian travellers say there are potential higher travel costs with larger groups.

In addition, 32% of Indian families enjoy travelling for reunions or special occasions, seeing these moments as a chance to unite and celebrate milestones together. One out of five Indian families are inclined towards beach getaways, 21% seek rural/countryside experiences. Food experiences (25%), sightseeing (22%) and spiritual trips (21%) are also popular vacation activities, providing opportunities to explore new cultures and share experiences together as a family.

“Indian families have a deep-rooted tradition of valuing extended family bonds. Intergenerational travel offers a unique opportunity to strengthen these connections and create lasting memories. Our research highlights the unique way families are planning such trips, from balancing diverse interests to ensuring safety and creating shared experiences. Booking.com is committed to supporting Indian families in making the most of their intergenerational adventures.” said Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com