Australian family holidays are changing with more luxury

THIS Australian family did not hold back with splashing out on a private tour guide, professional photographer and more to have the trip of their lives.

CHANGES in the traditional family unit have given rise to a host of new travel trends which aim to maximise precious holiday time together.

Private tour guides, personalised itineraries, professional photographers and larger accommodation, are among the “extras” being sought by families on overseas jaunts.

Managing Director of luxury travel network Virtuoso, Michael Londregan, said families wanted to travel as they lived — in spacious hotel suites and apartments with at least two bathrooms.

From left to right — Cliona Colgan, David Knowles, Luly Knowles, Julie Smith, Charlie Knowles in Jaipur, India. Picture: Adityendra Solanki

He said private tour guides and personalised itineraries were also growing in popularity for family groups seeking stress-free holidays.

“Herding a family through a foreign country can be a very daunting experience,” Mr Londregan said.

“Private tour guides take all of the guesswork out of travel, and open doors to experiences not available to travellers going it alone.”

Leading demographer Bernard Salt said simply getting a family together for a holiday was a feat in itself, given the rise of blended families and two working parents.

“It’s not like my day, when Dad worked and Mum stayed home, and once a year they took the four kids to Coolangatta Caravan Park for a month,” said Mr Salt.

“Now a family holiday requires spreadsheet co-ordination plus the skills of a UN diplomat to fit in with ex partners and custody arrangements plus the time frame is shorter.”

Charlie Knowles, Luly Knowles and Cliona Colgan in Jaipur. Picture: Adityendra Solanki

He said cheaper airfares had given rise to previously inaccessible destinations maybe once every couple of years, instead of every year.

Statistics provided by Tourism Research Australia showed New Zealand and Indonesia were most popular with families, followed by the US, Fiji and Thailand.

“(A holiday) can also be a bit mending,” Mr Salt said.

“If you’ve been a bit focused on work, here’s a gift where the family comes together.”

Sydney professional Julie Smith and husband David Knowles decided a private tour guide would help smooth the way for their family of five during a 20-day trip through India.

“Going to a destination that’s a bit more challenging than somewhere like the US, it just meant I didn’t have to worry about things going wrong,” said Ms Smith.

“Each day the itinerary was completely adjustable and we were transported in a little minibus with a driver. It was seamless.”

David Knowles, exploring the Amber Fort in Jaipur. Picture: Adityendra Solanki

Excluding flights, the experience for all five family members cost about $26,000 — including the tour guide, bus and driver, accommodation, breakfasts, tips and internal transport.

During their trip, the family indulged in another emerging travel trend — hiring a professional photographer to take high-quality holiday snaps.

Ms Smith said the $400 cost for a whole day was money well spent.

“It’s a way to capture your holiday in a way that’s more than just a snap on your phone,” she said.

Originally published as Australian family holidays are changing with more luxury