Trend Alert! The Latest in 2018 Luxury Family Travel

One of the many insightful panels

We just had the pleasure of participating in the 2nd Annual Martinhal Luxury Family Travel Conference, where we met with a community of like-minded leaders and influencers to review the current trends in our market. Here’s a look at a few of the big highlights for family travel in 2018.

Luxury Travel Trends
One of the many insightful panels at the Martinhal Luxury Family Travel Conference

Luxury Travel Trends for Families

Personalized Approach

Travelers want to understand the why behind a recommendation along with knowing some background on who is giving that recommendation. From interior design to family travel, online content has provided a mechanism for parents to find their community and voices that are meaningful to them. Travel blogs aren’t new, but the reason they are compelling is coming full circle, particularly relative to generic online travel resources that are meant to appeal to all travelers. Families are increasingly able to find resources that fit just what they are looking for.

Luxury Travel Trends
Conference guests mingle amid Martinhal’s stunning surrounds

Explosive Growth

Family Travel used to be considered and treated as a niche. Not any more! Family travel is growing exponentially — 26 percent faster than the travel industry as a whole, according to Andrew Dent from Family Traveller magazine. This is fantastic news for families, as global brands will devote more time and energy into thinking through creative and meaningful family travel products across their offerings.

Luxury Travel Trends
A break for fun, Martinhal-style

Unplugged Family Time

As we are increasingly connected to one another 24/7, one of the biggest themes of the conference was about finding a work-life balance in our ever-more-hectic lives as parents. A trip together as a family is able to provide a piece of that balance in a way that is fun and exciting for everyone.

Luxury Travel Trends
Lots of delectable treats to sample!

Catering to Both Kids and Parents

One of the trends is a focus on welcoming children so that parents can enjoy experiences that may have previously been reserved for days sans kids. We’re seeing suppliers from restaurateurs to hoteliers add amenities that enable parents to actually enjoy luxuries while their kids are enjoying their own version of luxury pampering. It is so wonderful to see companies understand the need for resources that allow families to enjoy each other and their surroundings equally.

Ready to plan an amazing luxury vacation with kids?

Ciao Bambino can help! Our Family Vacation Advisors can book vetted kid-friendly accommodations, recommend tours and guides, and more. Click to get started >

Interested in exploring Portugal with kids?  One of the conference sponsors was TAP airlines; TAP flies non-stop to Lisbon from New York (JFK), Newark, Boston and Miami. All of TAP’s fares beyond Portugal (to Africa, Europe and even South America) include a stopover in Lisbon for up to 5 nights with no additional airfare.

Relevant Links:

Top 50 places to go in 2018 with kids

Hot off the press: Luxury family travel trends for 2018

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

Editor’s Note: Photos courtesy of the Martinhal Luxury Family Travel Conference staff.

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