The 2025 U.S. Family Travel Survey from the Family Travel Association (FTA), the NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and Good Housekeeping reveals that families plan to keep traveling at strong levels despite affordability challenges—while children’s influence on trip planning, or “kidfluence,” continues to grow.
Now in its 10th year, the survey gathered insights from nearly 1,600 parents and grandparents about travel behavior, spending and attitudes. Ninety-two percent of parents said they are likely to travel with their children in the next year—the highest intent since the pandemic—and 81% plan to maintain or increase their travel spending. The average family spent about $8,052 on travel in 2024, up roughly 20% from the year before. Still, 73% of respondents said affordability is the biggest barrier to family travel.
Beach vacations, visits with relatives and trips to theme or water parks remain the top choices for families. Multi-generational travel continues to rise, with 57% of families planning to travel with grandparents and children this year, and 48% expecting to include extended family.
Children are increasingly shaping where and how families travel. Seventy-four percent of parents said their kids love to travel, and 84% believe involving them in planning makes children more adaptable and open to new experiences. “Our survey confirms an important shift in family dynamics toward ‘kidfluence,’ with children now serving as true ‘co-pilots’ in trip planning,” said Anna Abelson, adjunct instructor, NYU SPS Tisch Center of Hospitality and survey co-author. “This generation of young travelers is highly digitally native, finding inspiration via social media and digital platforms.”
Interest in travel advisors is also rising. While just 19% of parents used an advisor in the past three years, 61% said they would consider doing so in the near future—primarily for exclusive benefits and peace of mind.
Families continue to see travel as an opportunity for growth and connection. “Eighty-five percent of parent respondents say that family travel brings their family closer together,” said Peter Bopp, FTA research advisor and survey co-author. “Seventy-seven percent say family vacations enrich their children’s education, and 68% say travel makes their children better global citizens.”
However, challenges persist. Families gave the travel industry a B+ for meeting their needs but cited high costs, limited room options and a lack of inclusivity for families with special needs as areas for improvement. “Over 13% of families reported having children with special needs, and those families gave the industry a poor ‘C-‘ grade on inclusivity,” said Abelson. “The travel industry must shift its focus from simply selling a trip to providing smarter, more accessible value for all families.”
Lexie Sachs, executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, noted that trip preferences vary by generation. “Although beach vacations are most popular among families, parents are more likely to plan city and national park visits, while grandparents lean into museum and cultural trips when it’s just them and the grandkids,” she said.
