As travel opens up, family travel is on the rise. Family holidays are a key focus, even though all segments of society are now travelling. The number of family vacations will increase by 25% by 2022. The United States alone will see 376 million trips.

People yearn for the new landscapes and experiences only travel can provide. Still, for families, the appeal to a family vacation emphasises what many of us learned in lockdown: that family is an important part of what makes life worthwhile. It may surprise you that families want to spend more time together after years of family chaos. The family vacation focuses on creating memories and sharing joyous experiences. Because you only get one chance to live.

You have the opportunity to be part of families’ happy and memorable vacations as a hotelier. This is, on an emotional level, a deeply satisfying job. This is a great way to increase guest loyalty and repeat bookings on an economic level.

It is worth your effort to bring families to your hotel. Find out what families want when they book hotels and our top four tips for making your hotel a family favourite.

Family Specials and Value Adds

NYU states that 77% of families consider the best value for their budget when booking accommodation. Although this strategy is effectively clinching a booking, it doesn’t consider the true reason families travel. Instead of focusing on discounts, highlight family experiences and offer value-adds.

• Coupons for local tour operators
• Stay and Play vacation packages include local activities along with hotel accommodations
• Parking is free, especially in light of the rise in road travel
• Offer a free breakfast or a discount at your local restaurant
• Group bookings can attract reunions and extended families

Highlighting In-room Extras or Self-catering

Families may desire to be free from the daily chores of cooking and cleaning, but they still need convenience. This is why hotel rooms with kitchens or kitchenettes are so appealing to families. You can add little conveniences such as mini-fridges or microwaves to your rooms for a small investment but a great return on investment. ).

Family snack packs can be used as an added value or an additional benefit. They make it easy to keep the family happy and prevent them from getting hungry. You could have a continental breakfast in the morning or a basket with chips, water and cookies in the afternoon.

Surprise and delight: Have you ever stayed in a hotel with in-room coffee or tea? Yes, it is. However, have you ever tried instant hot chocolate? It’s not often you see it! It shouldn’t be, because it’s a joy for all ages (including parents).

Entertainment is the main focus.

Families can make unforgettable memories by staying at your hotel. According to Short Term Rentz, 95% of family travellers value keeping their children happy and entertained. This means highlighting local attractions. 85% of family travellers want to be near major attractions and outdoor activities, while 42% prefer to unwind and relax together. This shows us that you should highlight your local area’s attractions and tell the truth. It is impossible to change the location of your home, but telling people that you are closer to Disneyland will result in disappointment.

Although location is important, Forbes reports that 17% of parents feel comfortable flying with their children as vaccines are not yet available to children below 12. Families may be familiar with local attractions since your hotel is only a short drive away. Staycations became more popular due to the pandemic. Families are looking for fun in their backyard. It’s not the “home away form home” experience families desire in this instance. Family members want the same amenities at home as their homes: swimming pools, spas, room service, etc. It’s important to emphasize family-friendly amenities, which are not only expected these days: laundry service, free WiFi, movies and family-friendly TV programs.

Stand out from the crowd and think outside of the box! Your family will be delighted and entertained by something unique and wacky. It will also make them laugh and have something to talk about. Wild and unusual amenities can increase word-of-mouth hotel recommendations both in-person and online.

These are some of our clients’ most creative ideas:

• Rooftop smores with gas fire pits
• Enjoy in-room movie packages that include popcorn and other treats.
• The “Yes-Day” stay package includes a range of options for kids, including video game console rentals and make-yourself in-room sundaes.
• Booking of a private movie theatre (think projector in a meeting space with comfortable seating)
• Rent a bike or a scooter
• Scavenger hunts and “passports” are a way to highlight local attractions. The front desk provides the prize.
• Rent-a-pet! You can take the lobby dog out for a walk.
• Family pizza party: Your restaurant’s private space used to prepare your pizza
• Theme-themed hotel rooms
• You can find candy and ice cream bars in your local cafe or gift shop.
• Children’s ice cream tastings are served with flights of wine for their parents.
• Enjoy outdoor movie nights with a projector screen and picnic baskets.
• Workshops or classes for children or families: Think art, djing and cooking classes, or yoga classes
• Bath-time bundles with bath toys and bubbles

These extras are a great perk for hoteliers. They can either be added as value to guests or chosen during the booking process via your online booking engine.

Enhance Your Digital Presence

If you don’t promote your family-friendly perks or initiatives online, it won’t do much to attract guests.

Make your profile more current: Family travel is a huge part of the internet. 59% of families use OTAs as their main source of inspiration (NYU). Make sure your OTA listings have the most current photos and amenities. Also, respond to reviews.

Use influencers: In conjunction with family-friendly marketing amenities via social media (as 30% of family travellers believe social media plays an important role in trip planning), leverage word-of-mouth opportunities. Could you offer them a complimentary stay in exchange for honest reviews and mom bloggers coming to your hotel?

Make your website up-to-date: While it is obvious, it bears repeating. Your website should reflect your family-friendly offerings. Your designer can help you decide the best way to present this information on your website.

Email marketing with leverage: According to Hubspot, email marketing has a 4100% return on investment Hotel Email Marketing is a great way to attract families, especially when making repeat bookings. To target families with offers specific to their interests, create guest profiles.