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vacations have been the norm. “There’s always been a lot of family travel
in Latin America,” observes Marcos Agostini, senior vice president of
resort sales and business development for Interval International in
Latin America. “Adult siblings and cousins get together and bring the
kids, the grandparents, and the in-laws.”
Also, he notes, the initiators of the trips are usually in the “parent”
generation, “the Gen Xers who make the plans and include the baby-
boomer grandparents.”
But factors such as a burgeoning middle class with more discre-
tionary capital in the hands of the working generation and the fact
that people are living longer may stimulate more multigen travel
activity involving three — even four — generations of family members,
says Agostini.
A Fit With Timeshare Resorts
Regardless of country of origin, for multigenerational vacationers, not all
travel accommodations are created equal. Certain qualities pair well
with the extended-family crowd: Space for a larger group. Multiple bed-
rooms, but also gathering spots where the family can comfortably
congregate — a dining room, living area, or patio. A kitchen where meals
can be prepared. Activities to suit a variety of interests and age ranges.
And, especially among the grandparent generation — a good value.
Sound familiar? That description could have been ripped from a
vacation ownership resort brochure. No surprise that timesharing’s a
good fit for multigen family groups. The same aspects that make it
appeal to the traditional family also fulfill the needs of the extended
family.
Says Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of the American
Resort Development Association, “Timesharing is a way you can travel
with your kids and your aging parents and your niece and nephew and
so forth, and everybody can still get the privacy they need. It’s not
eating pizza on a bed and 21 meals out in a seven-day period. It’s
sitting around the table, being able to cook, and having that mealtime
being a time of discovery. It’s a much better way for the multigenera-
tional group to vacation and to nurture.”
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Multigen Must-Haves
As many experts will attest, timeshare resorts,
by their very nature, appeal to the multigen
crowds. But there are certain elements that do
double-time in drawing these guests. Here are
a few:
Supervised kids’ programs.
Parents and grandparents feel
better about pursuing more
mature pleasures knowing the
kids are safe, happy, and
occupied.
Above-and-beyond amenities.
The swimming pool
is a given. But with competition from cruises and theme
parks, features such as water parks, climbing walls,
and zip lining add value.
Meeting space.
Whether a separate dining area, a
picnic shelter, or even a meeting room, family groups
like to have a private place reserved for their clan
gatherings.
Bathroom equity.
With multiple families in one unit,
adequate bathrooms are a must, ideally one bathroom
per bedroom.
Activities for a range of
interests.
Everyone will be
happier coming together if
they can indulge in their own
favorite pastimes, be it a
massage at the spa, a paintball
skirmish, a round of golf, or
a good book poolside.
Safety and security.
Knowing that the property has
good security offers needed peace of mind that loved
ones can comfortably explore.
Multigenerational travel
isn’t just an American
phenomenon, nor is it
new — it’s been prevalent
in many parts of the world,
including Latin America,
the Middle East, and Asia.