TRAVEL is a personal rite of passage, and the dictionary defines “rite of passage” as “a person’s transition from one status to another”.
I lived abroad as a child; I travelled with my family; I backpacked on my own in my youth, and now I have swapped the rucksack for a ‘babypack’. I’ve now clocked up 53 countries, and discovered that travel does not stop with children. The journey continues. It’s an education, a transition.
Fellow parents ask me: “How do you travel with children? It’s too difficult!” I suppose the answer to this question is a question in itself: “Why travel?” Is it about a destination or a journey? If the former, the range of facilities and activities at traditional holiday destinations is exciting and diverse.
However, if the answer is about the journey, your options are limited and the problems you face, more annoying. For example:
• My children are young and I wish them to stay in the same room as me.
This is one of the biggest problems families face. It prevents them from going on holiday in the first place. Most hotel rooms can cater for one child on a roll-away bed. But on average, a family has two children (census: 1.8 in the US, 1.9 in UK and Australia). That is a huge number of families who are potentially not going on holiday because either they can’t afford to have two rooms or are limited to hotels with interconnecting rooms.
I have two children and always check with the hotel beforehand. But despite checking I’ve arrived on more than one occasion to find one double bed and one roll-away only to be told that one child should share a bed with me. That is not an option. If you have three children under the age of five, forget it. I agree with you, it’s too difficult.
• Most hotels don’t understand the needs of a family.
There are plenty of super hotels with great children’s facilities. I agree, a lazy river and kids’ club is a great way to spend a holiday and it keeps everyone sane. But once you’re in a resort, you’re in a cocoon. If your aim is to be cosseted, then you will feel at home. If the “Why travel?” answer centres on cultural enlightenment or exploration, this might be a little difficult without signing up for a tour.
• I wish to have a meal with my husband without being charged an arm and a leg for a babysitter.
I love having family meals, but I also want to have the option of eating in peace. Often there are two options available; book an expensive babysitter, or sit in a dark room until your cherubs have fallen asleep so you can order room service.
Now, I’m not naïve. It’s clear to see that in terms of effort and space, there is often a greater profit margin by focussing on couples. But this is a short-term game. The travel industry is growing and stretching its legs. There is a powerful, largely ignored, consumer group that has an influence on how the travel industry develops.
How difficult would it be to consider different consumer groups at the planning stage and offer flexible accommodation? How easy would it be for a hotel to write a short guide or list of suggestions of how to spend my time with my baby, my three year old and my teenagers without expensive tours? A pretty hotel brochure might get travellers through the door, but the experience doesn’t stop once you’ve taken their money. This is about repeat business and greater profit.
Families naturally spend more than couples, but holidays are less likely to be repeated if they feel they are being squeezed. I’m going to order room service for my children anyway, so why not offer free babysitting for two hours if I eat in the hotel restaurant? Give me options.
The world is a jigsaw and we need to encourage people to find out what it looks like. We should be encouraging families to explore, discover, pass on their good experiences, bring good will and help develop positive reputations in the travel industry. This is a long game, but given the size of the market, it’s one worth playing.
Helen McClure is the founder and editor of the travel website www.expatexplorers.org, which aims to encourage families to be more adventurous by offering excursion ideas, itineraries, tips and photographs. Follow her on www.facebook.com/expatexplorers or on www.twitter.com/expatexplorers.
By Helen McClure