Real Thrills & Authentic Experiences: A Trip to Remember


We learned what motivates families and how they plan their trip. But it’s what happens once they arrive that determines whether they will leave happy, already making plans to return.


Here are some of the elements that make a difference:


THRILLS Te delight in thrills is nearly universal, appealing even to adult couples without children. And among families, 24.9% cited thrills as one of their top motives for visiting an attraction.


INTERACTIVITY Families rated the importance of interactive experiences as 4.23 on a 0-5 scale, much higher than adults without children. Tat’s because for the kids, especially under 12, interactivity’s the secret to holding their attention.


TECHNOLOGY Of the families old enough and savvy enough to have an opinion, more than three-fourths preferred attractions that made the most of technology. As children get older, their hunger for technology increases.


AUTHENTICITY Families gave authenticity, the desire to experience real or genuine activities, a rating of 4.14 on a scale of 0-5. “Everything kids do is artificial these days,” remarks Tom Owen, Vice President for PGAV Destinations. “But you can’t touch a real fossil through an iPhone.”


DINING Not unexpectedly, families were far more likely to prefer informal food options than adult travelers. 33% preferred a “quick bite, and an additional 32% liked to order at a counter, and then sit down.


SHOPPING Four out of five parents told us that they typically do some shopping when they visit attractions with their children. Over one-third (35%) said they typically shop for souvenirs, while another 30% said that they just enjoy browsing.


“AUTHENTICITY” AS AN IMPORTANT ATTRACTION FEATURE BY SEX AND AGE OF CHILD


Te desire for authenticity is most important to boys over 12 years and girls over 15 years.


3.95 4.00 4.05 4.10 4.15 4.20 4.25


<4YRS


4-7 YRS


8-11 YRS


12-14 YRS


15-17 YRS


4.11 4.07 4.10 4.19 4.12 4.18 4.22 4.13


4.20 4.20


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