Midtown Conference Explores Family Travel's Coming Of Age
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Parents know traveling with children can be challenging, but participants at the recent inaugural Family Travel Conference in Midtown Manhattan discussed tips to make their journeys more comfortable. NY1's Travel reporter Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.2012 is set to be a banner year for family travel, and the "mommy mindset" is not afraid to share what parents want.
"When you travel with kids, it's just like raising them. It’s aggravating, it’s expensive, it’s wonderful," says Eileen Ogintz of TakingTheKids.
Family travel is finally coming of age and becoming more inclusive.
"Pets are welcome, every age is welcome, the mobility impaired are welcome, kids with special needs are welcome," says Kyle McCarthy of Family Travel Forum.
According to Family Travel Forum, 100 million trips a year have kids in tow. In New York City alone, family travelers are pumping $12 billion into the economy annually.
With strength in numbers, never have family travelers been more vocal.
“Smooth the check-in so that families can be guaranteed seats together,” says McCarthy.
“Parents are demanding healthier children’s menus,” says Ogintz.
“I have three kids, so we don’t fit neatly into a hotel room with two double beds, and I don’t want to have to pay for two rooms,” says Kim Orlando of TravelingMom.com.
At the recent inaugural Family Travel Conference in Midtown Manhattan, legions of bloggers and writers came together, many of whom look to each other for answers online
“I want to know from another mom her true experience of something because she’s going to save me a ton of time and research," says Orlando.
Saving time and money are big concerns, so it pays to speak up when shopping around.
"Can you upgrade me can I get a second room at a discount? Can I get a free breakfast?" says Ogintz.
At the end of a vacation day, parents are looking for authentic experiences.
"We travel to create global children. We want our kids to succeed in the world on their own terms and to understand everyone they interact with," says McCarthy.