Grand Getaways: How Skip‑Gen Travel is Taking Off in China

• More than eight in 10 (86%) travellers in China have taken - or are planning - a skip-generation holiday.  
• Nearly all (95%) respondents say these trips positively impact grandparents’ health and wellbeing.  
• More than half (59%) say their main motivation for skip-gen travel is creating special memories between grandparents and grandchildren.  
• For nearly half (48%) of families, the key to a successful multi-generational trip lies in senior-friendly services, from mobility aids and medical assistance to accessible dining options.  

CHINA - Grandparents and grandchildren are hitting the road together - and often without parents. Across Asia Pacific, skip-generation (skip-gen) holidays are on the rise - and China is leading the way. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report reveals that families are redefining how they travel, with a stronger focus on stays that foster togetherness, create lasting memories, and strengthen bonds across generations.

Skip-Gen Travel on the Rise: 6 in 10 Families in China Are Booking Holidays Without Parents  

China is leading the way in skip-gen travel across Asia Pacific, with more than eight in 10 (86%) respondents having taken - or planning - a skip-gen holiday, compared with 60% across the region. In China, over three-quarters (77%) also expect to take at least one to two skip-gen trips in 2026, signaling a future where these holidays could rival traditional family vacations.  

“The rise of skip-generation travel highlights a fascinating shift in how families are connecting,” said Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “Hilton is committed to creating experiences that cater to every generation under one roof - from family-friendly amenities and Confirmed Connecting Rooms to wellness offerings that appeal to travellers of all ages. By designing experiences that anticipate the needs of multi-generational families, we aim to make every stay as seamless and memorable as possible, helping guests create meaningful moments together.”  

More Than a Vacation: Creating Memories Is the Top Priority for Skip-Gen Travellers  

The opportunity to create lasting memories is the driving force behind skip-gen travel, with 58% of families across the Asia Pacific region choosing it for this reason. In China, this sentiment is slightly stronger, with 59% of families citing memory-making as their top motivation. Across Asia Pacific, this remains a key focus, with families in India (67%), Australia (64%), and New Zealand (63%) also highlighting it as their primary reason for taking skip-gen trips.  

Beyond this, skip-gen holidays give grandparents and grandchildren in China the chance to strengthen bonds (53%), and enjoy travel as a unique experience (47%). In China, nearly half (46%) of grandparents are initiating such holidays, highlighting the growing influence of older generations in shaping family travel and the importance of choosing stays that support every generation’s needs.  

Wellbeing Boost: 95% Say Skip-Gen Trips Support Grandparents’ Health  

Family holidays aren’t just about connection, they also promote health and wellbeing. Nearly all (95%) respondents in China say that traveling with family enhances grandparents’ wellbeing. For grandparents, spending quality time with grandchildren (50%) is the most treasured part of travel, highlighting how multi-generational trips can benefit both emotional and physical health.  

Thoughtfully designed stays that include wellness amenities, accessible dining, and senior-friendly services are becoming essential in ensuring that older generations can travel comfortably while reaping the health benefits of family togetherness.  

Quality Time Over Downtime: Families Prioritize Shared Experiences Over Relaxation  

According to Hilton’s global research, respondents’ number one motivation to travel for leisure in 2026 is to rest and recharge (56%). In Asia Pacific, however, many travellers prioritize family time over personal relaxation, with six in 10 (61%) saying quality time matters more than downtime. This sentiment is also evident in markets such as India (72%) and China (62%), reflecting the region’s strong focus on meaningful family experiences.  

When it comes to activities, culinary exploration (62%) and visits to historical and cultural landmarks (56%) lead the way in China, reflecting families’ desire for stays that inspire discovery, learning, and meaningful connection. China’s own diverse and world-renowned food culture is a natural driver of this trend, and it also holds strong appeal for international visitors - particularly families from nearby markets such as Singapore, where food-led experiences are a top travel priority.  

Rooms for All Ages: Making Multi-Generational Travel Seamless  

Beyond skip-gen, multi-generational travel continues to grow. Nearly half (48%) of families in Asia Pacific take holidays with three or more generations at least once a year - a trend particularly strong in China (78%). The top motivations for families in China include creating lasting memories across generations (48%) and strengthening family bonds (45%).  

Accommodation plays a crucial role in enabling inclusive stays. Nearly half (48%) of families in China prioritize facilities or services for the senior generation, such as senior-friendly dining, medical assistance, and mobility aids, while 47% find relaxation and wellness amenities important, underscoring the need for stays that cater to every generation.  

Tal Shefer, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “In China, travel is deeply rooted in family and togetherness, and we’re seeing that reflected in the continued growth of multi-generational holidays. At Hilton, every detail is designed For The Stay - so that grandparents, parents, and children alike can feel connected, cared for, and create lasting memories together. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration at Waldorf Astoria, a city break at Motto by Hilton, or a family getaway at DoubleTree by Hilton, every one of our brands is built to bring people closer through meaningful experiences.”  

Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report: Key Insights for 2026 and Beyond  

These insights were commissioned as part of research for Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, “The Whycation: Travel’s New Starting Point,” highlighting how grandparents and grandchildren are reshaping the way families travel. Hilton’s comprehensive survey of more than 14,000 global travellers across 14 countries, along with proprietary insights from more than 5,000 Hilton team members and feedback from 1,000 Hilton Honors members, highlights several additional trends:

• Hushpitality: Seeking Sweet Silence: In 2026, travellers will look for destinations where they can dial down life’s distractions. Seeking calm – even moments of silence – signals a change in why people are traveling, where they're going and how they’ll relax.
• Home Comforts are the New ‘Carry On’: Travellers are grounding their trips in familiarity, seeking comfort and a sense of home even while away. They’re bringing everyday routines with them, and as familiar rhythms help travellers feel more relaxed, many are also taking time to recharge and pursue personal passions – turning time off into time well spent.
• Inheritourism: Travel Runs in the Family: As children grow up, many continue traveling with their parents, bringing familiar preferences shaped by years of shared travel. From hotel choices to loyalty programs, parental influence still plays a key role in moulding how travel evolves across generations.