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

• Over half (51%) of travellers in Australia have taken - or are planning - a skip-generation holiday.  
• Nine in 10 (91%) believe that family travel benefits the health and wellbeing of grandparents.  
• Nearly two-thirds (64%) say their main motivation for skip-gen travel is to create special memories between grandparents and grandchildren.  
• More than half (57%) say family suites or interconnecting rooms are the most important feature when traveling with multiple generations.  

AUSTRALIA - 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 the trend is gaining momentum in Australia. 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: Half of Aussie Families Are Booking Holidays Without Parents  

In Australia, 51% of respondents report having taken - or planning to take - a skip-gen holiday. Across the region, the trend is strongest in China (86%) and India (79%), where cross-generational travel has moved from novelty to mainstream, hinting at a future where skip-gen trips may 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 number one driving force behind grandparent and grandchild holidays, with 58% of families across the Asia Pacific region choosing skip-gen travel for this reason. This sentiment is particularly strong in Australia, where 64% of families cite memory-making as their top motivation. Beyond creating valuable memories, skip-gen holidays also give grandparents and grandchildren in Australia the chance to strengthen bonds (63%), and enjoy travel as a unique, shared experience (46%).  

Wellbeing Boost: 91% Say Skip-Gen Trips Support Grandparents’ Health  

While a valuable takeaway, family holidays aren’t just about connection - they also support health and wellbeing. Nine in 10 (91%) Australian respondents believe that traveling with family improves the wellbeing of grandparents. Additionally, quality time spent with grandchildren is the most valued part of travel for grandparents (60%), suggesting how skip-generation travel can benefit both the emotional and physical wellbeing of Australian grandparents.  

Quality Time Over Downtime: Families Prioritise 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%), but for many travellers in Australia, spending time with family now outweighs personal relaxation as the top holiday priority. For 59% of Australians, spending quality time with family takes precedence over downtime.  

When it comes to activities, culinary exploration (72%) and visits to historical and cultural landmarks (69%) lead the way for Australians, reflecting families’ desire for stays that inspire discovery, learning, and meaningful connection. Australia’s rich and diverse food culture plays a big part in this trend, and it also attracts international visitors seeking food-led experiences - particularly families from nearby markets such as Singapore, where culinary adventures are a top travel priority.  

Rooms for All Ages: Making Multi-Generational Travel Seamless  

Beyond skip-gen travel, the popularity of multi-generational travel continues to rise in Australia, with a third of families (33%) taking holidays with three or more generations at least once a year. These trips are valued by families as a way to strengthen bonds (62%) and create lasting memories (59%) across generations.  

Thoughtfully designed accommodation is the key to a successful skip-gen holiday; especially those that include accessible wellness offerings, inclusive dining experiences, and services that are catered to both children and seniors alike. These amenities ensure that older generations can travel comfortably while participating in every aspect of a family holiday - and the memories that come with it. More than half (57%) of families in Australia prefer interconnecting rooms or family suites, while 42% prioritise kids’ activities on-site. Relaxation and wellness activities (38%) are also important, underscoring the need for stays that cater to every generation.  

Tal Shefer, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “In Australia, travel is deeply embedded 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.