Travel Matters

“It turns out that traveling makes us far happier than any material wealth ever does… it’s been proven by science.”

Recently this post showed up on the internet with a travel photo that made you just want to pack a bag and head for the airport. As a travel consultant I wanted to find out what truth if any, there is to that statement.

The Science of Happiness

There are more studies on the subject of happiness than you might imagine. In recent years, Cornell University Psychology Professor Dr. Thomas Gilovich conducted one of these studies. The results? Travel actually does make us happier than the purchase of material things. Here are a few reasons why:

There is more excitement leading up to an experience than there is to just purchasing an item. In fact many people think planning is one of the best parts: picturing yourself on that beach, planning your tours, researching the “must sees” in an unexplored city—all of these enhance your experience.
The “Easterlin Paradox”: Many of us think purchasing an item you can use for years is a better investment than an experience you have for only a short period of time. The reality is that studies show people initially rank satisfaction equal when comparing the purchase of material things to purchase of an experience. Over time however, satisfaction with experiences like travel continues to go up, but people “adapt” to an item to the point where a once coveted item loses its appeal. Anyone who has ever bought a child THE toy to have this year can attest to that!
Experiences become a part of who we are. When travel is taken with others, the shared experiences build relationship and provide stories that bind us for years. This last reason has led to the sudden growth of multi-generational travel.

Multi-Generational Travel

The Preferred Hotel Group recently conducted a study in current trends in multi-generational travel. They reached some interesting conclusions:

40% of grandparents and parents say their children are involved in trip planning at some level
Grandparents are increasingly funding all or part of the cost of the trip to make the family travel possible
91% of Millennials surveyed say they try to take a multi-generational trip every year

Adventures By Disney

Disney won first place in the 2015 Travel Weekly Contest with its offers of guided tours for multi-generational families both in the US and overseas. These “adventures” include VIP access and two Disney-trained Adventure Guides on every trip. There are unique cultural experiences, activities just for kids, and special adult events. Recently added were European River cruises for families. An example of how these itineraries appeal to all ages is the Rhine River Cruise on Ama Waterways. Travelers can go snowbiking and tubing in an indoor winter park, make chocolate in a Chocolate Museum, bike through German vineyards, or try your hand a clog-painting in a Dutch village.

Cruises

Cruise lines have become very good at meeting expectations of guests. Multi-generational groups appreciate the opportunity to choose from a variety of venues for dining and entertainment. Many cruise lines also have expansive kids’ programs so adults can still enjoy quality time of their own. A number of ships are now featuring family suites with larger rooms, upgraded bathrooms, and larger balconies. Some are also offering discounted “single supplements.” No longer does Grandma have to bunk with the kids if she would like her own room. Norwegian for example, offers ships that have special rooms designed only for singles. They are all located in a special corridor with its own lounge featuring evening cocktails and morning continental breakfast. Ama Waterways offers single rooms for European river cruisers as well at a lower cost.

Tips For Multi-Generational Travel

When choosing the location for a mulit-generational trip, keep in mind the ages of the youngest and oldest family members
Make sure all family members have a chance to say what they most want to do and then try to make that happen
It’s often easier to have professional help with the planning and logistics. Guided tours, cruises, and all inclusives all take a load off of the family planner. Additionally a travel professional can assist with coordination of all the pieces of the puzzle and will often take care of a problem you didn’t even know you have (how are we getting from the airport to the ship?”

Multi-generational travel can be a wonderful experience and create memories that last a lifetime. Below is an excerpt from a poem written by the grandchild of one of our local residents whose grandparents have made a point to include her in their travels:

The places we go and things we see are amazing
We love each other to the moon and back, That’s what we always say. My grandparents are loving.
Will I get to spoil my grandchildren some day?

From “My Grandparents” by Grace Emery

Sylvia is a Shreveport resident whose daughter and two grandsons live in Dallas. She has been taking her older grandson James on trips every summer for some time. They have shared wonderful trips together to New Orleans and the Dakota Badlands. Last summer Sylvia spent time in Alaska with her daughter Deidre as well as James. This past December‘s Disney Cruise was the first time she traveled with both boys. Sylvia says these trips are an opportunity to create a lasting bond with the boys and build memories they will always have of their special times together. Deidre has a demanding job and is not always able to take time off work to travel but every summer the boys know there is a special trip with “Grandmama.”
As often happens, an unexpected interest was sparked by this multi-generational travel. The happiness experienced by planning and taking these trips became enhanced by post trip activities. Never a crafter, Sylvia is now learning the art of scrapbooking. “Scrapbooking, particularly when the kids participate, helps them remember the best parts of their trip and documents the awesome times that they shared with their grandparents,” said Sylvia.