The Growth of Family Day Trips

Families are finding an easy way to experience vacations without leaving town. Day trips to local hotels and resorts with family amenities provide fun for the whole family. Parents can enjoy a relaxing day at the pool or spa while the kids can race down waterslides.

In fact, 85% of parents said in the 2022 U.S. Family Travel Survey that they are very likely to travel with their children in the next 12 months. The survey of 1,000 respondents was conducted by the Family Travel Association and the New York University School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality.

However, more than half of parents surveyed said their travel behaviors and preferences had changed in the last two years — 45% of respondents to be exact. Almost half of those surveyed said the pandemic triggered the changes, while 28% attributed the shift to their financial situation - including the impact of inflation. On average, respondents reported they will take 3.16 day trips, 2.27 trips of 1-3 nights, 1.37 trips of 4-6 nights, and 0.93 trips of 7-13 nights. This shows the growth and popularity of daycations. And, when asked what factors influence the choice of transportation method, convenience was the most common consideration at 78%, followed by cost at 73%.

This growing trend in family daycations provides hotels and resorts an opportunity to reach a new guest segment that can frequent the hotel multiple times per year. Pools, restaurants, and spas no longer can benefit from the additional boost in revenue. Your property can control how much inventory it loads into a day pass program. In addition, you can utilize your property's unique features - such as elaborate pools and recreation facilities, festive restaurant menus, and special holiday events and gatherings - to create innovative day packages that families will find very appealing and will allow your hotel to stand out from the competition.  

Day guests can be locals, travelers that prefer the space of vacation rentals, or a cruise-goers looking to extend their vacation before the flight home.  

Omni La Costa offers day passes and cabanas to their splash friendly pool with 2 water slides, beach walk-in baby pool, and splash zone with fun water toys. Another popular package is the S’more Terrace that provides guests with a private fireplace with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. 

 Or, in Florida, day passes are available to the Tidal Cove Waterpark at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa.

This hotel's unique, new water park includes a gravity-defying raft ride, a lazy river, two outdoor pools, five waterslides, and a 4,000-suare-foot Kids Cove.

Over at the Hyatt Place Chicago/Hoffman Estates, parents and kids can enjoy a daycation with the Family Fun Day package. This features a guest room for up to four people, 42-inch HDTV, mini-fridge, wet bar, use of the indoor heated pool, fitness center,  20% discount on food and drinks, complimentary family snack basket, and complimentary breakfast for four people.

So, take advantage of this chance to draw in families for day trips. Watch your revenues grow and your bottom line improve.