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

• Nearly half (49%) of respondents in Singapore have taken - or are planning - a skip-generation holiday.  
• Nine in 10 (91%) believe family travel improves health and wellbeing for older generations.  
• More than half (59%) say their main motivation for skip-gen travel is to strengthen bonds between grandparents and grandchildren.  
• Over half (53%) say family suites or interconnecting rooms are the most important feature when traveling with multiple generations.  
• More than eight in 10 (81%) families cite culinary exploration as their top family activity - a nod to the city-state’s vibrant and celebrated food scene.  

SINGAPORE - 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 Singapore. 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 Half of Singaporean Families Are Booking Holidays Without Parents  

In Singapore, nearly half (49%) of the respondents report having taken - or planning to take - a skip-gen holiday, compared to a regional average of 60%. This points to a broader trend across Asia Pacific, where cross-generational travel is moving 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 driving force behind skip-gen travel, with 58% of families across the Asia Pacific region choosing it for this reason. In Singapore, these holidays are about much more than time away together - grandparents and grandchildren see them as an opportunity to strengthen bonds (58%), create special memories (57%), and share unique experiences (36%). They also play a role in building new family traditions (20%) and reflect the growing influence of grandparents in shaping how families travel.  

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

Family holidays aren’t just about connection - they also support health and wellbeing. Nine in 10 (91%) respondents in Singapore believe that traveling with family improves the wellbeing of grandparents. For grandparents, quality time with grandchildren is the most valued part of travel (50%), 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. Six in ten (61%) say quality time matters more than downtime, a sentiment particularly strong in India (72%) and China (62%). In Singapore too, the trend holds, with nearly six in 10 (59%) placing family connection above rest and relaxation.  

When it comes to activities, culinary exploration (69%) and visits to historical and cultural landmarks (63%) lead the way in the region, reflecting families’ desire for stays that inspire discovery, learning, and meaningful connection. This trend is especially pronounced in Singapore, where more than eight in 10 (81%) families cite culinary exploration as their top family activity - a nod to the city-state’s vibrant and celebrated food scene.  

Rooms for All Ages: Making Multi-Generational Travel Seamless  

Beyond skip-gen holidays, multi-generational travel continues to grow in popularity in Singapore, with more than a third (39%) of families taking trips with three or more generations at least once a year. The top motivations remain strengthening family bonds (70%) and creating lasting memories across generations (57%).  

Accommodation plays a crucial role in enabling inclusive stays. More than half (53%) of families in Singapore prefer interconnecting rooms or family suites, while 50% prioritize senior-friendly facilities and services such as mobility aids, medical assistance, and accessible dining spaces. Relaxation and wellness amenities (40%) 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 Singapore, 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.