FOUR in 10 children have visited five countries before the age of eight – a feat most parents didn’t achieve until adulthood.
A poll of 2,000 mums and dads of under-18s who have been abroad with their youngster, found eight in 10 had taken their child abroad by the age of six.
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Popular holiday destinations include Spain, Italy and The United States Credit: 72point
Many parents take their kids before school age to capitalise on off-peak holiday prices Credit: 72point
Of those who have taken their kids abroad before starting school, 40 per cent wanted their child to experience new places from a young age, while 34 per cent wanted to start travelling as early as possible.
Meanwhile, 33 per cent chose to go abroad before school age to avoid peak holiday prices.
Spain emerged as the most popular destination for family holidays oversees (57 per cent), followed by France (50 per cent), the United States (32 per cent) and Italy (29 per cent).
The research was commissioned by the holiday provider, Club Med, which offers premium all-inclusive sun and ski holidays to destinations worldwide.
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Nicolas Bresch, managing director, UK, Ireland & Nordics at Club Med, which runs Kid’s Clubs ranging from four months to 17 years said: “It’s clear that children today are growing up as global travellers, often experiencing international holidays at a much younger age than previous generations.
“We are seeing growing demand for destinations that combine ease, flexibility and enriching experiences for every member of the family, from in-resort Kid’s Clubs and activities to local excursions.
“Families are increasingly looking for opportunities to discover new cultures together, whether that’s on a sun holiday or a ski escape.
The study also found perceptions around jet-setting with young children are becoming increasingly positive; of those who decided to take their kids away before starting school, 20 per cent said international travel with a young child proved less challenging than they had expected.
Avoiding busy periods was another motivating factor, as 25 per cent said they journeyed earlier to steer clear of crowded school-holidays.
Flexibility also influenced decision-making, and 17 per cent said maternity or paternity leave enabled them to travel more freely, choosing dates and destinations outside peak times.
The research also indicated a shift in how families now organise holidays, with 56 per cent of parents saying they preferred all-inclusive accommodation when travelling abroad with children.
For those who travel overseas with kids, going somewhere known for being child-friendly was a main consideration (41 per cent), followed by kid-friendly meal options (40 per cent) and offering a wide variety of activities in resort (31 per cent).
Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) said their child had some or a lot of influence when it came to booking a holiday abroad.
In addition, of those who said their youngsters had a say in the getaway, 51 per cent admitted they had an impact on the destination (51 per cent), while 43 per cent said kids played a role in deciding the type of holiday booked, according to OnePoll.com figures.
Others claimed children influenced decisions about available activities (39 per cent), food options (38 per cent), and travel dates (37 per cent).
Parents also appeared comfortable adapting their travel habits, with 40 per cent said they now travelled abroad more as a family since having children.
Attitudes towards early travel were overwhelmingly positive, with more than nine in 10 (92 per cent) parents saying travelling internationally from a young age benefited children.
The most commonly cited benefits included exposure to different cultures (74 per cent), curiosity about the world (71 per cent) and increased confidence (59 per cent).
More than half also said early travel could strengthen family bonds (56 per cent) and has the potential to help children become more open to trying new foods (54 per cent).
Nicolas Bresch, spokesperson for the brand, added: “Family travel has evolved significantly, with children now playing a greater role in shaping where families go and what they experience once they arrive.
“Holidays today are about much more than simply getting away; they are opportunities to inspire curiosity, build confidence and create meaningful shared memories.
“Whether families are discovering new ski slopes together or enjoying sunshine destinations, parents increasingly value holidays that combine adventure, relaxation and dedicated experiences for children through Kid’s Clubs and tailored family activities.”
