Gen Alpha Already Having Outsized Impact on Travel Planning

More than a few parents out there are unlikely to be surprised by this news flash: Gen Alpha —individuals born between 2010 and 2024 — are having a significant and growing impact on the travel decisions of their families.

To be crystal clear, we’re talking about kids who at their oldest are about 14.  

A recent survey of Gen Alpha travelers conducted by Beaches Resorts delved into how the generation is influencing family travel decisions and vacation plans. And here’s what the results showed (via answers facilitated by Gen Alpha parents.

• The future jet-setting influencers: 85% of Gen Alpha children have input on where to go on vacation.
• Skip-gen travel remains the priority: 71% of Gen Alpha children want to travel with their grandparents.
• They’re coming for airline status: 64% of families are taking 2+ trips per year, even with young kids.
• Spending vacay time with parents over peers: 55% of Gen Alpha prefer to partake in activities with their parents for vacation bonding vs. with peers.
• Tweens say it’s cool to travel with your parents: 70% of kids ages 11+ would prefer to spend time with their parents.
• Summer (swim) school is cool: 53% of Gen Alpha would like to learn to swim on vacation, followed by a new language, surfing, scuba diving, art and skiing.
• Gen Alpha prefers the beach: Beach vacations are the number 1 style of vacation (36%), followed by theme parks (32%), historical sites (14%), urban cities (9%) and natural wonders (9%).

Travel brands prepare for Gen Alpha

The main takeaway of this treasure trove of data? Move over Gen Z, there’s a new kid on the block when it comes to family travel decisions. And given that Gen Alpha is projected to become the largest generation in the history of the world, with more than 2.8 million people born weekly — their influence is likely to be profound.The data unearthed by Beaches has the brand busily working to figure out how it can best cater to what is soon-to-be its largest customer base. 

The brand’s initial efforts include recently debuted beachfront villas at Beaches Negril, which are said to be ideal for Gen Alpha travelers and their families. Six new four-bedroom, three-story Firesky Reserve Villas at the resort are equipped with living areas, private pools, and direct access to a pristine stretch of beach (making it easy for Gen Alpha visitors to indulge in the passion for beach time.)

On the opposite end of the Beaches Negril resort, meanwhile, is the Eventide Penthouse Collection. The six suites here range from three to four bedrooms each and offer access to a rooftop terrace ideal for stargazing and family dinners.

Each of the aforementioned Beaches accommodation options also provide access to an abundance of kid and family-friendly activities, ranging from Sesame Street Sunrise Yoga to Reading Road Trips in local communities.

Notably, it’s not just the executives at Beaches who have noticed the power of this upcoming generation. Travel advisors say they have already begun witnessing Gen Alpha’s influence.

Take for instance, the penchant for Skip Gen travel among Gen Alpha highlighted by the Beaches survey, which involves Gen Alpha wanting to travel with their grandparents.

And surprising as it may seem, Gen Alpha is even having an influence on honeymoon-related decisions (Yes, you read that right.) This especially true for couples who are embarking on a second marriage. They want to bring their Gen Alpha kids along for the getaway and the kids want a say in where that ride goes.

Watch out Gen Z, here comes Gen Alpha.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.