'Transformative shift': How children are taking control of family holidays

Kids have always had a part to play in holiday plans. Think about all those motels with pools and play equipment your parents took you to in the 90s.

But these days, children are having an even greater influence on family holidays, and one hotel chain said the shift was "transformative".

According to the new American Express 2025 Global Travel Trends Report, 59 per cent of Australian parents agree their children help inform travel decisions.

The report shows Generation Alpha - which is made up of children aged up to around 14 - have a greater say globally in where their families holiday than their parents did.

Globally, sixty-eight per cent of Gen Z and Millennial parents report their children play a key role in planning holidays, compared to 56 per cent of Gen X and Baby Boomer parents.

Unsurprisingly, in Australia, over three-quarters of Aussie families prefer destinations that have activities for all ages, the data showed.

American Express Travel and Lifestyle Services vice president and general manager, Corinne Ng, said the report showed "children are playing a key role in influencing their parent's travel decisions and helping to shape unforgettable family holidays".

A separate report from Hilton, the 2025 Trends Report, shows 71 per cent of Generation Alpha and Generation Z in Australia are actively shaping family travel plans, positioning them as key decision-makers in the travel market.

Read more on Explore:

Hilton's senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Ben George, said this signals a "transformative shift" in the travel industry.

While these young travellers' influence is strong in choosing destinations, dining options and activities, unsurprisingly, parents are still taking care of the trip planning, transportation and budgeting elements of the holiday.