“Resorts are also making it easier for families
with toddlers and babies to travel – being a new father fairly recently and experiencing the amount of stuff that you need to haul with you it can be off putting to travel too far afield,” he says. “However, resorts such as Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru have begun to recognise this and remove this potential barrier through their Travel Light service and will happily provide a range of complimentary essentials such as strollers, playpens, baby monitor and swim nappies.”
Safe haven Carrier predicts increased bookings to the Caribbean this year, as the region is perceived as very safe in a world of global uncertainty and potential terrorism flashpoints. Its top-selling destinations globally are Barbados, Antigua, Maldives and Greece but it also welcomes the return of Kenya. The operator’s Luxury Family Escapes
programme for this year is presented in a magazine-style brochure with school-holiday specific “chapters” stretching up to February 2017 half term and Carrier says it has offers at every hotel featured. Top agents were also invited to the operator’s HQ for family training to emphasise its focus on families. Carrier has also partnered with Luggage Mule, which offers a door-to-door luggage service. ITC Luxury Travel Group also knows the growing
power of luxury spend among families and has launched two new family travel brochures – Kids in the Med and Kids Beyond the Med. The former is a brand name well known to the
trade from its days in the Western & Oriental stable and following its purchase of the company last summer, ITC is rolling it out again. Kids in the Med brings together the best family products from the two tour operating brands, along with hand-chosen family villas in Europe from sister company Villa Select. Meanwhile, Kids Beyond the Med covers the
Caribbean, the US, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East and the Far East. As well as featuring family-friendly resorts, it picks up on the trend for experiential family travel with options such as ranch stays in the USA, elephant encounters in Thailand and swimming with turtles in the Caribbean. Chief executive Jennifer Atkinson is keen to point out that not only have staff visited these places, they also have families of their own – including herself. “We know parents with small children need
more hand-holding and suffer from a whole new level of travel anxieties, so service is key to us,” she says. “We have the patience to deal with lots of questions, making sure it’s the adults’ holiday, not just the kids holiday.”
Pictured 1. SkySafari by Elewana, Kenya 2. Rocco Forte Hotels’ Hotel de Rome 3. Domes of Elounda, Crete 4. Soneva Fushi, Maldives 5. Chia Laguna, Sardinia 6. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Maldives
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TTGLUXURY.COM SPRING 2016 DESTINATIONS
In the know A diverse selection of sophisticated holidays for families young and old
First-time parents Who: You’ve just found your feet after the birth of baby number one, now it’s time to venture on your first holiday as parents. What: Sani Resort, Greece’s much-loved five-star holiday destination and ecological reserve, is the perfect location for a first holiday with a new baby. Two-bedroom family suites at Sani Beach Club are great for new parents who want a bit of space. Baby cots, baby monitors, bottle warmers, sterilizers and baby food in the room are all complimentary. For babies from four months up, the Melissa Creche can be found at three locations across the resort with indoor and outdoor toys, pre-schooler activities and baby swimming lessons. How to book it: Sovereign offers seven nights at Sani Beach Club half-board from £6,489 per family of three in a two-bedroom family suite, access to private airport lounges (where available), private resort transfers and flights. Tel: 01293 733118,
sovereign.com
Educate & entertain Who: For families who want to get out of the resort and learn about the world. What: Spending time by the ocean can open children’s eyes to a new world of incredible sights and species. The waters surrounding Lux South Ari Atoll in the Maldives are abundant with marine life including parrotfish and rays – families can see them on a snorkelling trip or take a whale shark safari in search of bigger fish. At The Andaman Langkawi, a Luxury Collection Resort in Malaysia, children can participate in a programme to grow new coral at the resort’s unique Coral Nursery or enjoy an educational talk in the newly opened marine life laboratory. How to book it: Kids Beyond the Med has a stay-seven, pay-for-five offer at The Andaman, Langkawi from £4,499 per family based on two adults and two children sharing a deluxe rainforest-view room with breakfast, flights and private transfers. Tel: 020 3131 6621,
westernoriental.com
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