Family Travel Forum Consultants Study Best In Family-Friendly Lodging

Media Only, July 14, 2005: Marketers Court Kids With Specially Designed Hotel Rooms To Appeal to Whole Family

New York, NY – FTFc, the consulting division of Family Travel Forum, Inc. has found that, as competition for the family travel market grows, more hotels are turning their attention to attracting younger consumers. In the special report, “Kids Dig Hotels Designed With Their Needs In Mind”, FTFc examines the innovations in the hospitality industry that appeal to frequent traveling children.

“We’re not just talking about SpongeBob welcome gifts,” notes FTFc consultant Kyle McCarthy. “When you have an industry courting the 93 million Americans who travel with family (1), it takes real imagination to stand out from the crowd.”

FTFc began their research into the state of family-friendly lodging by asking what today’s parents and children want from a vacation. Travel agents said that for 95% of their family clients, the top two influencers for parents in choosing a vacation destination were the variety of activities for different age groups, and the cost.(2) Children informally surveyed by FTFc most often cited swimming pools, in-room video game or entertainment systems, themed décor, kid-themed restaurants, kid’s clubs, and nearby attractions — such as amusement parks — as factors that make a hotel most appealing.

To evaluate how the hospitality industry is meeting clients’ expectations, between February and June 2005, FTFc examined hundreds of “family-friendly” properties. FTFc found several with special “Family Rooms” or “kids’ suites” designed specifically for children ages three to eight-years-old, then took a closer look at properties with at least three of the other attributes that kids said are especially appealing. These hotels, the product of ingenious marketers, are the success stories.

Learn what’s special about them in this in-depth report. FTFc’s analysis of ground-breaking North American chain and independent hotels, as well as international hotels stretching from London to Bali, reveal where family-friendly lodging is headed next.

Read the comprehensive report, “Kids Dig Hotels Designed With Their Needs In Mind” by Gia Portfolio, a trends study from FTFc Consulting..

About FTFc

FTFc’s parent is Family Travel Forum Inc, founded in 1996 to serve the needs of frequent travelers who “Have Kids, Still Travel.” The company publishes FamilyTravelForum.com, the Internet’s leading subscription site dedicated to travel with kids; TinyTravelers.net, a global network supporting travel with children under age 3; KidTravels.com, the travel site for kids, by kids; FamilyTravelBoards.com, the premier bulletin board for family destinations, safety and parenting issues related to travel; and e-FTF, the monthly news-zine devoted to seasonal events, destination reports and family travel topics. FTF publications have been recognized with three National Parenting Seals of Approval (2005, 2003, 2000) and ‘Best of the Web’ awards from Forbes (2003, 2002, 2001) and Condé Nast Traveler (2000) magazines, among others. The consulting division was launched in 2003, in response to travel industry demands for proven strategies in catering to the fast-growing family market. FTFc makes the insights and expertise of Family Travel Forum’s staff, market specialists and journalists available to the trade.

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To arrange an interview with FTFc specialists, contact Kyle McCarthy at Family Travel Forum Inc.

212/665-6124; www.FamilyTravelConsulting.com.

• Footnotes:
• 1. Travel Industry Association of America, Travel Poll, 2003.
• 2. American Society of Travel Agents, 2004 poll.