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The Generation Game: Research Reveals XL Holidays are Set to Boom

More than half said they planned to go away with extended family next year

New research conducted by Hilton (NYSE: HLT) shows that extra-large holidays are set to boom as Britons invite friends and family away with them.

Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of UK adults say the events of the past 18 months have made them re-evaluate what is really important. Two-thirds of parents (65 percent) said their children have missed out on seeing grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins during 2020 and 2021, with 63 percent being keen to make up for this lost time in the future.

As a result of the extended time apart, the UK populace is set to embark on an era of multi-generational holidays, with more than half (51 percent) likely to go away next year with extended family members such as siblings, cousins and grandparents.

Of the respondents who had family abroad, almost all (96 percent) said it had been two years since they had seen loved ones living away, with 43 percent confirming their group holiday would involve visits to family overseas. Nearly three-quarters (70 percent) of those polled said going on an extended family holiday allowed them to reconnect with family members while enjoying a break, and more than half (52 percent) said inviting more people along made childcare easier.

Steve Cassidy, Hilton’s managing director, UK & Ireland, said: “Many of us have missed out on the opportunity to travel as well as spend quality time with loved ones, so for most, it makes perfect sense to combine the two and create some fantastic memories on holiday. Whether it’s building sandcastles with the grandchildren, cousins playing at a theme park, or mums and dads relaxing together, there is no shortage of options with a multi-generational getaway.  Our research shows just how much the public wants to make up for the lost time by adventuring with as many of their loved ones as possible.”

Hilton is the only major hotel chain that allows guests to confirm interconnecting rooms at the time of booking, providing a hassle-free solution to a decades-old problem for families and groups.

The most popular reason to have an XL holiday is to catch up with family members, followed by a special celebration and the chance to see relatives you don't often spend time with. A quarter of adults said holidays provide an opportunity for grandparents to spend quality time with their grandchildren, while a fifth (22 percent) said it allows kids to play together while grown-ups relax. Four in 10 (42 percent) say holidays with lots of kids are more fun and a quarter (23 percent) said they liked group trips away because it works out cheaper for accommodation costs. Almost half (45 percent) said they were willing to spend more on their next holiday to make up for having been unable to go abroad in 2020 and 2021.

The UK is the most likely destination for an XL holiday (41 percent), followed by Spain (31 percent), France (23 percent) and Italy (21 percent). Almost a fifth (18 percent) of families fancy a trip across the Atlantic for a getaway in Florida and 52 percent say that if they are holidaying with family members like young children, they are more likely to do things they wouldn't do otherwise such as visit a theme park, ride a jet ski and plan something more adventurous.

Almost all (89 percent) of the respondents in the UAE said they were likely to take a multi-generational holiday next year, followed by those in Saudi Arabia (86 percent), Turkey (63 percent) and Russia (60 percent), confirming the global post-pandemic trend to travel with the entire family.

Here are six of the best Hilton properties to head to on a multi-generational trip in 2022.

Hilton offers new family experience packages at nearly 200 of its hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  Curated by parents from the global hospitality brand, children under 12 can enjoy complimentary touches including beds decorated with a special children’s theme, storybooks, kids’ passports, mocktails, bespoke menus and dedicated breakfast corners.


About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,300 properties and over 1.25 million rooms, in 138 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 for seven consecutive years. 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 200 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.


About Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s world-class brands comprising more than 8,300 properties in 138 countries and territories. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app, where members can check in, choose and access their room using Digital Key. Hilton Honors offers more than 200 million members hundreds of ways to earn and redeem Points, including with select co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem Points for free nights, purchases on Amazon, exclusive experiences, charitable contributions and more. The program is free to join and travelers can enroll online at hiltonhonors.com. Learn more about Hilton Honors at stories.hilton.com/hiltonhonors, and follow Hilton Honors on Facebook, X and Instagram.