Forget quiet getaways because family travel is booming, with the global market hitting a staggering $209.6 billion as more clans than ever are packing their bags for adventures big and small.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the global family travel market was valued at $209.6 billion, representing 35% of the total leisure travel market
- Family travel spending in the US increased by 12% year-over-year in 2022, reaching $250 billion annually
- By 2027, the family vacation segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8%, hitting $350 billion globally
- 54% of families are millennials with kids, driving 40% market growth in family travel 2020-2023
- Average family size for travelers is 4.2 members, with 2.1 children on average per US family trip in 2023
- 38% of traveling families include grandparents, up from 28% in 2019
- Average annual family travel budget for US households is $4,500, with 28% allocated to airfare
- Families spent 15% more on accommodations in 2023, averaging $2,100 per vacation
- Food and dining costs for family trips averaged $850 per week in 2023, up 11% YoY
- Florida leads with 25% of US family trips, Disney World hosting 12 million families yearly
- Orlando, FL saw 75 million visitors in 2023, 60% families
- Hawaii attracts 2.5 million family travelers annually, 40% international
- 73% of families prefer beach destinations, followed by 22% cities
- 58% of families now prioritize experiential travel like cooking classes over sightseeing
- Sustainable travel chosen by 67% of families in 2023, up from 45% in 2020
Family travel is booming as it makes up a major and growing share of global tourism.
Family Demographics
- 54% of families are millennials with kids, driving 40% market growth in family travel 2020-2023
- Average family size for travelers is 4.2 members, with 2.1 children on average per US family trip in 2023
- 38% of traveling families include grandparents, up from 28% in 2019
- Single-parent families account for 22% of family travelers in the US, taking 1.8 trips per year on average
- Families with children aged 6-12 represent 45% of all family travel bookings globally in 2023
- Hispanic families in the US travel 15% more frequently than average, with 2.5 trips per year
- 29% of Gen Z parents (under 25) traveled with kids in 2023, highest growth rate among cohorts
- Families earning over $100k annually make up 52% of international family travelers from US
- Blended families (stepchildren) comprise 18% of US family travelers, averaging longer trips
- Rural families travel 20% less than urban ones, but spend 12% more per trip
- 61% of family travelers have at least one child under 10, influencing 70% of destination choices
- Asian-American families prioritize educational trips, 35% higher than national average
- Families with special needs children (10% of total) book 25% more accessible travel options
- Empty-nester families transitioning to travel see 14% annual increase in trips post-kids leave home
- 47% of family heads are female decision-makers for travel plans in 2023 surveys
Family Demographics Interpretation
The family travel market is booming because today's "family" is a wonderfully complex and demanding mosaic—from globe-trotting millennials and grandparents to single-parent crews and blended broods—all collectively insisting the industry cater to their specific rhythms, needs, and credit cards.
Market Growth and Size
- In 2023, the global family travel market was valued at $209.6 billion, representing 35% of the total leisure travel market
- Family travel spending in the US increased by 12% year-over-year in 2022, reaching $250 billion annually
- By 2027, the family vacation segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8%, hitting $350 billion globally
- 62% of families with children under 18 took at least one leisure trip in 2023, up from 55% in 2019 pre-pandemic
- The multigenerational family travel market grew 15% in 2023, accounting for 24% of all family trips
- US family travel market share in domestic tourism reached 41% in 2022
- Asia-Pacific family travel market expected to expand at 9.2% CAGR from 2024-2030 due to rising middle-class families
- 48% of family travel bookings in Europe were for vacations over 7 days in 2023
- Post-pandemic, family travel recovery rate hit 92% of 2019 levels by Q4 2023 globally
- Luxury family travel segment grew 18% in 2023, valued at $45 billion worldwide
- Adventure family travel market size reached $28 billion in 2023, with 22% growth since 2020
- 67 million US families traveled domestically in 2023, up 10% from 2022
- Family travel contributes $100 billion to US GDP annually as of 2023 estimates
- Online family travel bookings surged 25% in 2023 to 78% of total family trips
- Sustainable family travel market projected to reach $60 billion by 2028
Market Growth and Size Interpretation
While parents may occasionally joke about needing a vacation from their vacation, the $209.6 billion global family travel industry—and its relentless, multi-generational growth—proves that the cherished, memory-making (and wallet-emptying) family getaway is an economic force more unstoppable than a toddler on a sugar rush in a hotel lobby.
Popular Destinations
- Florida leads with 25% of US family trips, Disney World hosting 12 million families yearly
- Orlando, FL saw 75 million visitors in 2023, 60% families
- Hawaii attracts 2.5 million family travelers annually, 40% international
- Europe’s top family spot Paris had 19 million family visits in 2023
- Mexico’s Cancun resorts welcomed 22 million families in 2023, up 14%
- US National Parks saw 15 million family visits in 2023, Yellowstone top at 4.5M
- Cruise lines carried 18 million family passengers in 2023, Caribbean routes 55%
- Japan’s Tokyo Disney Resort drew 30 million families, 25% from abroad
- Australia’s Great Barrier Reef visited by 1.8 million families yearly
- Las Vegas family market grew to 42% of visitors, 20 million in 2023
- Italy’s Rome saw 14 million family tourists, focusing on history
- Domestic beach trips dominate 68% of US family vacations, California leading
- Bali, Indonesia hosted 6 million families in 2023, family villas up 30%
- New York City family visits hit 62 million, Central Park key attraction
Popular Destinations Interpretation
While the globe's cultural capitals and national treasures charm families in the tens of millions, it appears that approximately one-quarter of America's family vacations still prefer to congregate on the sunbaked, mouse-eared peninsula of Florida, because sometimes magic is simpler than a passport.
Spending and Budget
- Average annual family travel budget for US households is $4,500, with 28% allocated to airfare
- Families spent 15% more on accommodations in 2023, averaging $2,100 per vacation
- Food and dining costs for family trips averaged $850 per week in 2023, up 11% YoY
- 42% of family budgets go to activities and attractions, totaling $1,200 average per trip
- Transportation costs for driving families averaged $650 per trip, vs $1,800 flying in 2023
- Luxury family vacations cost 3x more, averaging $15,000 for a week
- Souvenirs and incidentals take 8% of budget, $350 average for 5-day family trips
- International family trips cost 45% more than domestic, averaging $8,200 per family
- 35% of families use credit cards for travel, incurring average $500 interest per trip
- Multi-gen trips cost 22% higher due to extra rooms, averaging $10,500
- Budget family travel under $3,000 grew 20% in popularity post-2022
- All-inclusive resorts save families 18% on food costs, popular with 55% of bookers
- Theme park spending per family hit $2,500 average in 2023
- Eco-tourism families spend 12% more on sustainable options, $5,800 average trip
- Single-parent family average spend is $3,200 per trip, 10% below couples with kids
Spending and Budget Interpretation
The American family vacation is a carefully negotiated fiscal treaty where airfare holds you hostage, hotels are a silent luxury tax, and every ice cream cone is a line-item expense, all while debating whether a $15,000 week of luxury is an aspirational dream or a cautionary tale.
Trends and Preferences
- 73% of families prefer beach destinations, followed by 22% cities
- 58% of families now prioritize experiential travel like cooking classes over sightseeing
- Sustainable travel chosen by 67% of families in 2023, up from 45% in 2020
- Road trips regained popularity, 52% of families opting for drive vacations
- 49% of families book trips 3-6 months in advance, 28% spontaneous
- Tech-free family trips rose 35%, seeking unplugged bonding time
- Adventure activities preferred by 61% of families with teens
- 44% seek pet-friendly options, traveling with pets on 22% of trips
- Cultural immersion tops list for 55% educated families
- Winter sports family trips up 18%, ski resorts booking 40% families
- 70% of families want kid-centric hotels with clubs and pools
- Off-season travel chosen by 39% to save money and avoid crowds
- Wellness retreats for families grew 28%, yoga and spa focus
- 51% prefer all-inclusive to simplify planning and budgeting
Trends and Preferences Interpretation
The modern family vacation has evolved from a simple beach escape into a curated, multi-faceted mission: to find a place where parents can secretly yearn for a tech-free yoga retreat while the teens demand pet-friendly adventure sports, all under the reassuring umbrella of an all-inclusive resort that promises everyone—including the dog—will be too busy to argue about the itinerary.
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