INDIA - 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 India 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: Almost 8 in 10 Families in India Are Booking Holidays Without Parents
In India, nearly eight in 10 (79%) respondents report having taken - or planning to take - a skip-gen holiday, compared to 60% across Asia Pacific. In fact, almost half (43%) of respondents in India say they have done so in the past year alone, underscoring how cross-generational travel has shifted from novelty to mainstream.
“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
For families in India, skip-gen holidays are all about cherishing time together. More than two-thirds (67%) say their main motivation is to create special memories between grandparents and grandchildren - the highest across Asia Pacific, compared with 64% in Australia and 63% in New Zealand.
Beyond memory-making, families cite other compelling reasons for grandparents and grandchildren to travel together without parents, including to strengthen bonds (65%), enjoy the trip as a unique experience (53%), and passing on culture and traditions (47%).
Wellbeing Boost: 96% Say Skip-Gen Trips Support Grandparents’ Health
Family holidays aren’t just about connection - they also support health and wellbeing. Almost all (96%) respondents in India believe that traveling with family improves the wellbeing of grandparents. For grandparents, quality time with grandchildren (51%) is the most valued part of travel, suggesting how multi-generational travel 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%), but for many travellers in Asia Pacific these motivations are different as spending time with family now outweighs personal relaxation as the top holiday priority. For many travellers in India, spending time with family now outweighs personal relaxation as the top holiday priority. Seven in 10 (72%) say quality time matters more than downtime, outpacing the Asia Pacific average of 61%.
When it comes to activities, visits to historical and cultural landmarks (67%) and culinary exploration (66%) lead the way in India, reflecting families’ desire for stays that inspire discovery, learning, and meaningful connection.
Rooms for All Ages: Making Multi-Generational Travel Seamless
Beyond skip-gen, multi-generational travel continues to grow. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of families in India take holidays with three or more generations at least once a year - a trend particularly strong in China (78%) as well. The top motivations include strengthening family bonds (68%) and creating lasting memories across generations (57%).
Accommodation plays a crucial role in enabling inclusive stays. More than half (57%) of families in India prioritize senior-friendly facilities and services such as mobility aids, medical assistance, and accessible dining spaces, while 42% consider relaxation and wellness amenities (47%) important, underscoring the need for stays that cater to every generation.
Tal Shefer, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “In India, 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.
These findings draw on two surveys: a global study conducted by Ipsos (June 9-30, 2025) and an Asia Pacific-focused survey conducted by OnePoll (August 8-27, 2025). The Ipsos survey captured insights from 14,009 adults (18+) across 13 countries - Australia, Brazil, mainland China, Colombia, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States - all of whom plan to travel in the next 12 months. The OnePoll survey sampled 8,000 adults from families in Australia, New Zealand, mainland China, India, Japan, and Singapore where grandparents travel with their families. Both surveys used non-probability sampling, with the Ipsos results post-weighted to align with national population characteristics including gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 25 world-class brands comprising more than 9,000 properties and over 1.3 million rooms, in 139 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 226 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.