Global travel platform Trip.com released its “Family Travel Insights” report on the 27th, analyzing trends among women travelers worldwide. The report said family travel was the most preferred option globally, and the preference was especially pronounced in South Korea, where 56% of women surveyed chose family travel.
◆ Willing to pay more for efficiency and convenience
The share of family travelers choosing independent travel (FIT), rather than package tours, has been rising, Trip.com said. But that shift has also increased the burden of planning and managing itineraries.
In the preparation stage for trips with children, respondents cited the greatest fatigue from planning daily schedules and packing (38%), meal planning (36%) and arranging child-friendly attractions and activities (30%). During the trip, the biggest stressor was flight and layover time (35%), followed by choosing meals (33%) and adjusting schedules and travel pace (31%).
As a result, Trip.com said South Korean family travelers are more willing to spend to reduce inconvenience. Women traveling with children showed strong willingness to pay extra for services that ease the process, including assigning family seats together on flights (24%), family package passes for attractions (22%) and fast-track tickets (18%).
◆ Family travel preferences vary by destination
Trip.com said choices of accommodations and attractions have also shifted to family-centered criteria. For lodging, respondents prioritized family-friendly meal options (36%), ample space (35%) and children’s activities (33%). For attractions, they cited safety standards (42%), value for money (36%) and whether fast-track entry is available (27%).
While the overall preference for family travel was similar globally, Trip.com said styles differed by region. Europe favored all-inclusive packages, while Japan emphasized travel convenience such as nonstop flights and securing family seating. Singapore prioritized flexible schedules and child-focused activities, and Thailand placed greater weight on an overall family-friendly experience, from meals to facilities.
Trip.com said it is expanding family-focused services, including providing personalized itineraries and budget information through its AI-based travel assistant, “TripGenie.”
“As demand for family travel rises worldwide, the value of shared experiences is growing,” said Hong Jong-min, head of Trip.com’s Korea branch. He said the company will continue expanding services that reduce the burden across the entire travel process and improve satisfaction.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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