Collin County Living Well Magazine Fall 2013 | Page 36

MultiGenerational Travel Takes Off… By Steve McSwain he Leisure Travel Industry is trendy in destinations, interests and activities. The most distinct current trend is MultiGenerational Travel. There are a growing number of mature travelers who want to share the travel experience with their children and grand children. People have worked hard during their career and have reached a point of retirement or semi-retirement and want to travel with their family. There is nothing better than returning to a favorite destination with family who has not been there before. It is as though you are experiencing it for the first time through their eyes. Another common reason for mul- T tiple generations to travel together is celebrating a milestone such as anniversary or birthday as well as family reunions. More and more travelers are choosing to bring their extended families on a trip for these occasions. Some examples are listed below. We have a couple who take their two children and their spouses and five grandchildren on a 7-10 day tour every summer. Tour Companies have specialized family programs designed for multi-generational families. This family has taken their 3 generations on in an Italian tour, Germany tour, and two dude ranches in the United States. They all look forward to these experiential retreats every year. Another couple has celebrated their 60th birthdays with family and friends. The couple is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and moved to the Dallas area many years ago. They have done well financially and invited their family and friends from where they grew up on a cruise to celebrate. It was the husband and his family and childhood friends three years ago and his wife’s family and childhood friends this year. They each took 40 people on a weeklong Caribbean cruise during the early spring which was a special treat to those traveling from the northeast. Other very popular trips are Hawaii, Yellowstone, Italy, Ireland, Costa Rica, Canadian Rockies and Alaska. When planning a multi-generational vacation, many factors are considered to insure success such as travel time, age, interests and climate. Family friendly and culturally enhancing experiences are a great way to create lifelong memories with your loved ones. Steve McSwain serves as Chief Executive Officer at ARTA Travel. ARTA Travel was founded in 1980 and Steve has worked there for 23 years. ARTA Travel is a leader in three Travel Specialties; Corporate Travel Management & Agency, Leisure Travel for Individual Vacations & Cruises, and Group Travel for Incentives, Client Entertainment & Special Events. ARTAtravel.com ARTA T R A V E L 972.422.4000 www.ARTAtravel.com From the Outback to the Glaciers with Optional 3-night Fiji Post Tour Extension Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Melbourne, Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier Region, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mt. Cook National Park, Dine with a New Zealand Family, Sydney, Sydney Opera House March 27 – April 16, 2014 21Days • 28 Meals: 18 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 8 Dinners BOOK NOW by calling 972.422.4000 Double $7,999* Single $9,949; Triple $7,949 Regular rates: Double $8,499 Single $10,449; Triple $8,449 BOOK NOW & SAVE $500 Per person Included in price: Round Trip Air from Dallas Ft Worth Intl, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges, Hotel Transfers Not included in price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $270 per person *All Rates are Per Person and are subject to change IMPORTANT CONDITIONS: Your price is subject to increase prior to the time you make full payment. Your price is not subject to increase after you make full payment, except for charges resulting from increases in government-imposes taxes or fees. Once deposited, you have 7 days to send us written consumer consent or withdraw consent and receive a full refund. 34 Collin County Living Well Magazine • Fall 2013