With multi-generational family vacations on the rise, beach resorts that cater to a wider variety of guests, ages and interests are becoming more valued than ever, travel agents tell TTG Asia
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin
Thailand
By Nicholas Yong
Pornthip Hirunkate
Deputy CEO and managing director, Thailand, Destination Asia
Common family travel configurations Beach resorts used to be favoured by and newlyweds and couples, but are now popular among families as well.
Accommodation preferences Families with younger children typically prefer adjoining rooms; family suites and villas are not a popular option.
Length of stay Six nights on average for European families, who typically stay in the same hotel. Asian travellers usually stay two nights over a weekend or long public holiday.
Top activities Island-hopping tours rank high, being readily available for purchase at resorts or in the vicinity. Adults opt for spas and Thai massages whereas the younger ones enjoy more adventurous activities such as kayaking, diving, ziplining and ATV riding.
Most valued amenities The swimming pool − many families decide on accommodation based on the availability of one.
Top beach resort spots Phuket still reigns for its diverse resort types and prices. Samui is also popular while Hua Hin attracts Europeans, especially Scandinavians.
On the radar More remote beaches such as Khao Lak and Koh Lanta.
Watcharaporn Phiewkaow
Managing director, Discovery Holidays
Common family travel configurations We most frequently see couples with few children. Newlyweds, honeymooners and couples celebrating their wedding anniversaries are also significant segments.
Accommodation preferences Common requests are for adjoining rooms or two-bedroom suites, but private luxury villas are generally not popular with families.
Length of stay Europeans stay at least 10 days as they like to relax in the resort and enjoy the facilities, compared with Asians who usually stay three to five days.
Top activities Banana boat rides and snorkelling are a hit while diving is more common for families with older kids. Teenagers love more adventurous activities such as parachuting or kayaking.
Most valued amenities Swimming pools rank high as they allow parents and children to spend time together. Nanny service and activities offered at kids’ clubs are important since parents, especially European ones, want to be able to have quiet moments at the pool or spa. Top beach resort spots Phuket continues to top the list. Travellers who prefer destinations closer to Bangkok tend to choose Hua Hin. And for newlyweds and higher-yield families, Samui is the top choice.
On the radar Ecotourism is an emerging choice among families and more married couples are seeking meditation retreats. They tend to choose less commercial areas like Khao Lak and Ranong.
Malaysia
By S Puvaneswary
Uzaidi Udanis
General manager, Vacasia Tours & Travel
Common family travel configurations We see smaller families from longhaul markets. Asian and domestic travellers are more likely to include extended family, in group sizes of eight to 10 pax.
Accommodation preferences
Travellers from the US and Europe choose boutique, upscale resorts in secluded areas whereas Asians and Malaysians favour accessible, busy locations with nearby food options. Requests for adjoining rooms are common except when it comes to domestic travellers, who tend to squeeze as many people in a single room as possible and request for extra beds.
Length of stay Six nights for longhaul travellers; two to three for Asian travellers.
Top activities Food is a priority for locals and Asians; Singaporeans and Indonesians in particular will do their research online on restaurants to visit. Relaxing by the beach or pool and trekking are more common among European families.
Most valued amenities Longhaul travellers enjoy resort facilities and utilise kids clubs more so than Asians and locals. Children’s pools, snorkelling and island visits are important across markets.
Top beach resort spots Langkawi is most popular among longhaul travellers as it is easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur. Redang, Tioman and Sipadan are popular among those who dive and snorkel.
On the radar Tanjong Jara Resort, an authentically Malay beach resort in Terengganu, is comfortable, luxurious and offers excellent service.
Arokia Das
Senior manager, Luxury Tours Malaysia
Common family travel configurations Asians tend more to travel with extended families of six to eight pax, versus small families of two to three pax for Europeans.
Accommodation preferences Adjoining rooms are favoured across markets.
Length of stay Malaysians prefer short weekend trips, while Asians stay an average of three nights and longhaul travellers at least five nights.
Top activities Longhaul visitors usually take a half-day tour and explore on their own the rest of the time or relax by beaches and pools. For locals and Asians, shopping and sightseeing are top priorities.
Most valued amenities Separate pools for kids and adults are appreciated. Kids clubs are also welcome, likewise for bicycle, snorkelling and kayak rentals.
Top beach resort spots Langkawi, due to its accessibility and aggressive promotions. Kota Kinabalu is popular with longhaul, South Korean and Japanese tourists.
On the radar The new St Regis Langkawi is a luxurious property with great service.
Indonesia
By Mimi Hudoyo
Hasiyanna Ashadi Koestoer
Managing director, Marintur Indonesia
Common family travel configurations Families from South-east Asia and the Middle East usually come with their extended families, including grandparents, cousins, parents’ siblings and their families. Middle Eastern families may include a family head with two wives and their kids and sometimes the kids’ nannies come along too.
Accommodation preferences These range from three- to four-star properties, and even up to five-star ones or villas for Middle Eastern travellers.
Length of stay Between four and 10 days.
Top activities When not with their children at the swimming pools and playgrounds, parents are usually at the spa or out shopping. In Bali, families will visit places such as safari park, monkey forest and temples together.
Most valued amenities Kids club, multiple pools and a location close to the beach and places of interest. Many families require child-care services.
Top beach resort spots Bali is still top and by far the most family friendly.
Ratna Subrata
External relations manager, Happy Trails Indonesia
Common family travel configurations The family market for us comes from Germany and the Netherlands, usually comprising parents with two or three kids.
Accommodation preferences Families with kids 10 years or younger prefer family rooms or connecting rooms.
Length of stay European families usually visit during their summer holidays, with Bali as part of the 21-day Java overland package. The length of stay in Bali is between two to three nights.
Top activities Cooking, kite making and Balinese offering making classes are popular. Some families opt for soft treks and tree-top adventures. Day cruises to Lembongan are also popular.
Most valued amenities Kids’ pools are important to many families. Playgrounds are a plus point but not mandatory.
Top beach resort spots Bali.
On the radar Lombok and Gili Islands have the potential to become family travel destinations. Gili Trawangan, for example, attracts families with teenagers.
Philippines
By Rosa Ocampo
JP Cabalza
Managing director, Cencorp Travel and Tours
Common family travel configurations Family travel is no longer confined to immediate family members and it is now common for family friends to tag along.
Accommodation preferences Many choose adjoining hotel rooms. Villas are preferred for newlyweds seeking privacy.
Length of stay An average of five days for families from Asia, and at least eight for those from Europe, the US, the Middle East and Russia.
Top activities For kids, water activities like banana boat and kids’ pools are a hit. Wi-Fi is now a must for both adults and kids.
Most valued amenities Resorts should be self-contained – with pools for kids and adults, a good blend of local and international cuisine, and tours offered by both the property and tour operators.
Top beach resort spots Boracay and the Cebu/Bohol combination are most sought after. Palawan is also popular, with Puerto Princesa, Honda Bay, El Nido and Coron being main attractions.
On the radar Siargao and Aurora are becoming buzzwords for surfers, while Bicol and Bohol are destinations to watch owing to their other offerings in addition to beach activities. Two Seasons Coron Island Resort and Spa and Huma Island Resort, both in Palawan, are family-friendly properties with extensive facilities.
Fe Abling-Yu
General manager, Arfel Travel and Tours
Common family travel configurations Family travel is no longer confined to a couple and their children but expanded to the so-called “affinity group”, comprising extended family of grandparents, friends and even domestic helpers. The affinity group is increasingly common for weddings of other nationalities.
Accommodation preferences Adjoining or adjacent rooms are common preferences. Villas normally appeal more to honeymooners.
Length of stay A minimum of one week.
Top activities Kids enjoy water sports. On-site resort offerings such as cooking lessons keep the adults busy.
Most valued amenities Multiple pools, beach activities and entertainment.
Top beach resort spots Boracay is top. As well, Cebu combined with Bohol is affordable, whereas Davao sells due to its food plus the Samal Island and Eden Nature Park.
On the radar The all-inclusive Henann Resort Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol is very family-friendly with several swimming pools and a combination of villa and resort rooms.
Singapore
By Paige Lee Pei Qi
Jaclyn Yeoh
Managing director, Siam Express
Common family travel configurations Multi-generational family travel is becoming common, but more typical is small families (a husband, wife and children) or two couples.
Accommodation preferences Deluxe room, suite and villas.
Length of stay Two or three days – the typical duration for a stay in Singapore.
Top activities Spas for couples and sea sports for adventurous children.
Most valued amenities Swimming pools and beaches for family activities.
Top beach resort spots Capella Singapore and W Singapore Sentosa Cove.
Ram Samtani
General manager, Ramesh Travel Service
Common family travel configurations We see (various) combinations – parents with children as well as multi-generational families, especially given the trend of families celebrating milestone birthdays or anniversaries together.
Accommodation preferences There’s now a higher demand for villas to fit families altogether.
Length of stay Three nights are the norm.
Top activities Families with kids look to relax over beach activities. For three-generational groups, food is very important and they seek cultural excursions too.
Most valued amenities Kids clubs and swimming pools.
Top beach resort spots Sentosa.
Vietnam
By Xinyi Liang-Pholensa
Tran Gia Bach
Regional general manager, Buffalo Tours Vietnam
Common family travel configurations Small families taking advantage of public and summer holidays are common.
Accommodation preferences Younger families travelling with children prefer connecting rooms. Multi-bedroom villas with private pools are popular with multi-generational families.
Length of stay Local families tend to take multiple short vacations, so a typical stay might be 4D3N, just enough time to unwind but short enough to not disrupt their routines. Foreigners (do not necessarily stay much longer at a single resort) as they often visit multiple cities at a go.
Top activities The all-inclusive concept hasn’t caught on in Vietnam; travellers like the freedom of going off-property to explore the surrounding areas.
Most valued amenities Swimming pools are always a big hit.
Top beach resort spots Nha Trang has long been Vietnam’s top beach destination. Danang is also popular, with its own international airport and a spot on TripAdvisor’s 2015 list of must-go places. Halong Bay, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc and Con Dao are also popular.
On the radar Victoria Hoi An and Victoria Phan Thiet are consistently among the top rated. New luxury resorts to watch are Amanoi, Fusion Maia and Naman Retreat, etc.
Australia
By Rebecca Elliott
Robyn Eddy-Ellis
Travel consultant, Flight Centre Brisbane
Common family travel configurations The traditional family unit of parents and kids is most common, but there is a big trend towards multi-generational holidays, which see families travelling with grandparents, relatives as well as other groups of friends and their families too.
Accommodation preferences I frequently book two-bedroom apartments for families as this guarantees they are in the same area while also affording privacy. There is strong demand for adjoining rooms, but we’re not always able to guarantee availability. Villas, holiday homes or self-catering apartments are popular for the space and luxury aspect.
Length of stay Week-long holidays are most popular, but five days are common for shorter trips to Cairns or Hamilton Island.
Top activities Water sports are key as they allow older kids to have fun while spending time with their parents. Half-day tours are popular for families with younger children.
Most valued amenities Kids clubs are high on the priority list, and some parents decide on which resort to book based on the starting age accepted at the clubs; likewise for nanny services. Many parents also seek adult-only areas. Plenty of my clients choose resorts based on whether it has a kid-free pool so that they can enjoy some separate time.
Top beach resort spots Cairns and the Whitsunday are great as they are affordable and a manageable flight away. Hamilton Island is particularly popular as it offers stay-pay and kids-eat-free promotions, and the destination caters to the whole family with a diverse range of activities and accommodation options. Of course, the Gold Coast is also a great spot for families as it’s affordable with cheap flights and a good range of self-catered, apartment-style accommodation.
On the radar The Reef View Hotel Hamilton Island caters to multiple ages, has a good selection of room types and offers water sports. The Hamilton Island
Holiday Homes are also great as they can accommodate large groups and provide golf buggies for getting around the island.
Maldives
By Feizal Samath
Shafraz Fazley
Managing director, Viluxor Holidays
Common family travel configurations Families from the longhaul market comprise parents and kids, and occasionally also grandparents or close relatives. Asian families travel with one child or the couple would bring their parents along.
Accommodation preferences All-inclusive resorts that include speedboat transfers are the most booked. Longhaul familes prefer interconnecting rooms while Asians tend to book single-bedroom accommodation.
Length of stay Seven days for longhaul visitors and about four for Asian visitors.
Top activities For longhaul markets, parents usually enjoy diving and spas while their children partake in activities run by the resort’s kids clubs. Asians like to enjoy activities as a family, with fishing and banana boat rides as favourites.
Most valued amenities Familes value kids clubs, pools and kids menus, while babysitting services are requested by longhaul travellers in particular.
On the radar Soneva Fushi Resort, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, Lux* South Ari Atoll, Four Season Landaa Giraavaru, Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, to name a few.
Shausha Aan Shafeeq
Director, sales & marketing, Maldives Holiday Collections
Common family travel configurations Asian families comprise parents, kids and occasionally grandparents while longhaul families travel with friends as well.
Accommodation preferences Most prefer family suites and all-inclusive resorts.
Length of stay Asians, especially Chinese, spend at least four nights while longhaul travellers stay seven to 10 nights.
Top activities Skiing, banana boating, diving and snorkelling as well as special activities for children like those offered in kids clubs and kids’ cooking classes.
Most valued amenities Families enjoy hotel facilities while couples prefer their private space and rooms.
Top beach resort spots Per Aquum Niyama Maldives, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Baros Maldives, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, JA Manafaru, Angsana Velavaru and W Maldives.
China
By Caroline Boey
Kris Van Goethem
Inbound and MICE director, Thomas Cook China
Common family travel configurations In general, the international demand for China as a family beach resort destination is not high; this type of travel is more popular for the domestic market. Our main longhaul markets – the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany – visit China mainly for the culture and some may stay at a beach resort at the end of a tour.
Accommodation preferences Our clients prefer luxury accommodation.
Length of stay Between three to five nights and a bit longer in summer.
Top activities Relaxing in the resort and enjoying its facilities.
Most valued amenities Good F&B with international options and good service.
Top beach resort spots Hainan and Sanya have good demand, though access is still weak for the Western markets due to the (lack of) direct flights.
On the radar Perhaps Qingdao and Xiamen, but again access is an issue.
Joy Liao
Sales director, inbound and MICE center, Century Holiday International Travel Group
Common family travel configurations Family travel is a small market for us as most customers visit China for its culture and natural scenery. Family clients we handle usually travel with grandparents and other relatives.
Accommodation preferences Usually twin and double rooms, and occasionally family or interconnecting rooms.
Length of stay Asians visiting Sanya spend six to seven days. Longhaul travellers who go to Qingdao stay up to 10 days.
Top activities Most just like to experience the resort’s facilities, spend time on the beach and do some sightseeing nearby.
Most valued amenities Restaurants are valued by both Asian and longhaul guests.
Top beach resort spots Sanya, in Hainan.
On the radar Qingdao, which hosted sailing events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, may appeal to longhaul travellers seeking natural beauty.
This article was first published in TTG Asia, July 8, 2016 issue, on page 20. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe
