BUDGET TIPS FOR FAMILY TRIPS

Going abroad? Here are five money-saving hacks for the holidays with your nearest and dearest

- Sarah Stanley

Travelling as a family often means having to prioritize convenience and cost above all else.

But planning such trips can get challenging, especially when there is a need to accommodate travellers of different ages and interests.

According to flight and travel website Skyscanner's Travel Trends 2024 report, the top reason that travellers in Singapore do not plan large group trips is due to difficulties agreeing on costs.

Other reasons include struggling to find ideal travel dates and being unable to decide on a destination, issues faced by about a third of travellers. The report surveyed 1,000 Singapore respondents in August 2023.

Similarly, online booking platform Booking.com's inaugural Gen.Voyage! report published in September found that about a third of families from Singapore grapple with clashing interests, difficulties in finding activities that appeal to all ages and managing logistical demands to meet everyone's needs.

The report, which surveyed over 8,000 travellers across 11 markets and territories in the Asia-Pacific region, also found that 64 per cent of travellers from Singapore identified affordability as a priority for family travel.

Despite the extra challenges that come with vacationing as a family, such trips can be a memorable experience.

One way to make it so is to share responsibilities, says Mr Anthony Lu, regional director of South-east Asia and China at platform Booking.com.

He adds: "Sharing responsibilities, such as researching cost-effective options or managing bookings, removes the need for expensive travel agents or last-minute price hikes. This collaborative approach makes it easier to find affordable alternatives while staying within budget."