‘Grandma Tourism’ Is Reshaping Summer Travel in 2026
One of the biggest grandparent travel trends of 2026 has a name: ‘grandma tourism.’ Nearly 47% of travelers are now booking multigenerational trips—grandparents, parents, and kids exploring together—a 17% jump from 2024, according to recent industry data.
Why This Travel Trend Matters to You
For grandparents, these trips are about more than sightseeing. Industry researchers point to a growing sense of urgency: many grandparents want these shared experiences while they’re still able to travel, making family trips feel less like a luxury and more like a priority.
That urgency is reshaping how families plan vacations, with grandparents increasingly taking the lead rather than tagging along. Some are footing the bill for the whole family; others are booking trips solo with grandchildren while parents stay home.
This shift also reflects a broader rethinking of retirement itself—less about slowing down, and more about spending discretionary time and money on relationships that matter most.
Key Facts & Context
An estimated 57% of parents are now planning trips that include grandparents and children, and a notable subset are going further with “skip-generation” travel—grandparents vacationing with grandchildren, no parents included. Roughly 29% of travelers who vacation with kids have embraced this arrangement. Overall, 71% of grandparents have already traveled with grandchildren, and 57% are planning to do so again.
Travel researchers also describe these trips as unusually recession-resistant. Even amid inflation concerns, families are prioritizing shared experiences over other discretionary spending, treating time together as too valuable to postpone.
What This Means for Your Next Trip
How do I plan a multigenerational trip that works for every age?
Choose destinations with a mix of low-key and active options—beach towns, national parks, and all-inclusive resorts tend to offer something for grandparents, parents, and grandkids alike without requiring everyone to keep the same pace. Build in downtime between activities so no one feels rushed.
What should I consider before a skip-generation trip?
Be honest about your own energy and mobility, build in rest days, and loop in parents on itinerary basics, medications, and emergency contacts before you go it alone with grandchildren. A shorter first trip can help you gauge what pace works before committing to something longer.
How can I make these trips more affordable?
Family reunion-style trips and grandparent-led vacations have proven more recession-resistant than typical leisure travel, but booking early and traveling in shoulder seasons still stretches every dollar further. Look for destinations offering multigenerational or family suite discounts.
Explore more: Planning a trip across generations is easier with the right tools. See how TripsNearby helps families find destinations that work for every age group.
Looking Forward
As multigenerational and skip-generation travel keeps climbing, family trips are becoming less about the destination and more about the time together. If it’s been a while since you’ve planned a trip with your grandchildren, this summer’s trend is a good nudge to start—and to book it before schedules fill up for the season.
Related reading: our guides to budget travel tips for adults 50+ and solo travel for mature adults.
