Grandparents and grandchildren are hitting the road together – and often without parents. Skip-generation (skip-gen) holidays are rapidly gaining momentum across Asia Pacific, according to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report released. 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: 6 in 10 Families Are Booking Holidays Without Parents Six in 10 respondents (60%) across the region report having taken - or planning to take - a skip-gen holiday. The trend is strongest in China (86%) and India (79%), where cross-generational travel has moved from novelty to mainstream. In China alone, more than three-quarters (77%) expect to book at least one to two skip-gen holidays in 2026, 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. The sentiment is the strongest in India (67%), Australia (64%), and New Zealand (63%), where around two-thirds of families cite memory making as their top motivation. In Japan, however, the priority shifts, with nearly half of families (47%) - and 50% of grandparents themselves - pointing to experiencing new things together as the main reason for these trips.
Beyond the numbers, skip-gen holidays give grandparents and grandchildren the chance to share one of-a-kind experiences, strengthen bonds, and build family traditions. In China, nearly half of grandparents (46%) are initiating such holidays, highlighting the growing influence of older generations in shaping family travel and the importance of choosing stays that support every generation’s needs.
Wellbeing Boost: 89% Say Skip-Gen Trips Support Grandparents’ Health
Family holidays aren’t just about connection - they also support health and wellbeing. Nearly nine in 10 (89%) respondents believe that travelling 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 Prioritise 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 travelers in Asia Pacific, these motivations are different as spending time with family now outweighs personal relaxation as the top holiday priority. Six in 10 (61%) say quality time matters more than downtime, a sentiment particularly strong in India (72%) and China (62%).
When it comes to activities, culinary exploration (69%) and visits to historical and cultural landmarks (63%) lead the way, 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 families (81%) 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, multi-generational travel continues to grow. Nearly half (48%) of families in Asia Pacific take holidays with three or more generations at least once a year - a trend particularly strong in China (78%) and India (65%). The top motivations include strengthening family bonds (60%) and creating lasting memories across generations (57%).
Accommodation plays a crucial role in enabling inclusive stays. Nearly half of families (48%) prefer interconnecting rooms or family suites, while 42% prioritise senior-friendly facilities and services such as mobility aids, medical assistance, and accessible dining spaces. Relaxation and wellness amenities (42%) 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 Asia Pacific, 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 with the holistic stay experience in mind - 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, including:
- 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.
