New research conducted by Hilton (NYSE: HLT) shows that extra-large holidays are set to boom as Saudi residents and citizens invite friends and family away with them.
The majority (85 per cent) of adults in Saudi say the events of the past 18 months has made them re-evaluate what is really important. Almost three quarters of parents (72 per cent) said their children had missed out on seeing grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins during 2020 and 2021, with 77 per cent keen to make up for lost time in the future.
As a result of the extended time apart, Saudi Arabia is set to embark on an era of multi-generational holidays, with the vast majority (86 per cent) likely to go away next year with extended family members such as siblings, cousins and grandparents.
Of the respondents who had family abroad, 65 per cent confirmed their group holiday would involve visits to family overseas. Almost all (90 per cent) of those polled said going on an extended family holiday allowed them to reconnect with family members while enjoying a break, and 8 in 10 (80 per cent) said inviting more people along made childcare easier.
Kamel Ajami, Vice President, KSA, Egypt, and Levant, Hilton, said: “Our research shows that people in Saudi Arabia want to make up for lost time by holidaying with as many of their loved ones as possible. Whether exploring a new city with grandparents, visiting theme parks with cousins, or watching a sports game with mum and dad, there is no shortage of options for a multi-generational getaway.”
Hilton is the only major hotel chain that allows guests to confirm interconnecting rooms at the time of booking, providing a hassle-free solution to a decades-old problem for families and groups.
The most popular reason to have an XL holiday is to catch up with family members, followed by a chance to see relatives you don’t often spend time with and allowing kids to play together while grown-ups relax. Over a quarter (30 per cent) of adults said holidays provide an opportunity for grandparents to spend quality time with their grandchildren, while 29 per cent said XL holidays are ideal for a special celebration. 1 in 7 (69 per cent) said holidays with lots of kids are more fun and three quarters (77 per cent) said they were willing to spend more on their next holiday to make up for having been unable to go abroad in 2020 and 2021.
The UAE is the most likely destination for an XL holiday (31 per cent), followed by the UK (18 per cent) and Italy (13 per cent), and 81 per cent say that if they are holidaying with family members like young children, they are more likely to do things they wouldn’t do otherwise such as visit a theme park, ride a jet ski and plan something more adventurous.
Here are six of the best Hilton properties to head to on a multi-generational trip in 2022.
Hilton offers new family experience packages at nearly 200 of its hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Curated by parents from the global hospitality brand, children under 12 can enjoy complimentary touches including beds decorated with a special children’s theme, story books, kids’ passports, mocktails, bespoke menus and dedicated breakfast corners.
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