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Family travel and reunions on the rise, survey says

Published September 18, 2008

(Washington) — Honoring the long tradition of connecting far-flung families through timeshare resorts, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) offers “how-to” travel options to help make family reunions fun, affordable and stress-free. As the summer travel season closes, ARDA provides travelers looking ahead to next year’s family get-togethers with suggested reunion activities, location ideas and success tips as part of its “Take Time for Togetherness” initiative. 

Family reunions continue to grow in importance—and according to a recent Orbitz study, 50 percent of respondents said their favorite group to travel with is their extended family. And although the survey respondents wanted to be together for activities and meals, when asked about preferred sleeping arrangements, most said they wanted privacy.

“Today’s family reunions look very different than yesterday’s outdoor picnics and sleeping on your grandmother’s couch. Families now want to make the most of traveling long distances to visit relatives,” said Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO. “From spacious accommodations to activities for everyone, many travelers are turning to timeshare products as vacation options for family reunions. Timeshare continues to provide an experience for large families to be together, while still retaining space for themselves.”

“Take Time for Togetherness” provides travelers with event planning tips, including managing invitations, selecting a location, ice-breaker games, decorations and ways to stay in touch all year long. The helpful hints are available at www.vacationbetter.org.

 “Every year for the past thirteen years, I’ve received the best holiday gift a person could hope for—three generations of my family coming together for a week during the Christmas season,” said Susan Humme, a timeshare owner. “I feel so lucky that all of us have been able to get together at MountainLoft in the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoy family time together year after year. It really makes the most wonderful time of the year even more special,” she added.

Everyone deserves not only a vacation, but a better vacation—especially when it’s a family reunion.