A new trend in family travel, known as “Grandymoons,” is rapidly gaining popularity. The term “Grandymoon” is a combination of “Grandparents” and “Honeymoon,” reflecting the growing trend of baby boomers enjoying comfortable and luxurious vacations with their families after retirement, backed by financial stability and good health.
According to a Korean-American travel industry insider, “Grandymoons are not just ordinary vacations, but meaningful moments where grandparents and grandchildren can bond. Traveling together as a three-generation family strengthens relationships and creates unforgettable memories.”
The rise of Grandymoon travel is linked to the increasing number of dual-income households, as parents express gratitude to grandparents who assist with childcare. Additionally, family trips are becoming more common to celebrate special occasions such as grandparents’ birthdays or grandchildren’s graduations.
A travel industry representative noted that popular destinations include historical landmarks, breathtaking national parks, and luxury cruises. “Tours to the Western U.S., Yellowstone National Park, Mediterranean cruises, Baja Mexico cruises, and Alaskan cruises are particularly favored.”
Recently, visiting Korea has become a major trend in Grandymoon travel. Grandparents wish to introduce their grandchildren to Korea’s modern advancements, historical landmarks, and culinary experiences, while younger generations, influenced by the Hallyu (Korean Wave), often prioritize Korea as their top travel destination.
To cater to this demand, Korean-American travel agencies are diversifying their services, offering English-speaking guides, dance classes for teenagers, and travel packages incorporating destinations such as Japan and Thailand.
Steve Cho, Executive Vice President of Aju Tour, shared, “We have organized customized homeland tours for three generations about 32 times so far. Tailored family tours with English-speaking guides have been very well received.” The recent exchange rate fluctuations have also made travel to Korea more affordable, further driving demand.
Young-Im Shin, Vice President of Samho Tour, added, “For the past 20 years, we’ve had up to 4,000 people annually travel to Korea, with 50% of our international travelers being family groups who express high satisfaction with their trips.”
Bong-Gyu Nam, CEO of Mire Tour, echoed this sentiment, saying, “The three-generation homeland tour packages we introduced before the pandemic have been growing in popularity every year. We’ve also added special programs like K-pop dance classes for grandchildren, which have been very well received.”
Many families are extending their trips beyond Korea to explore other parts of Asia. The most popular add-on destinations are Osaka and Tokyo, typically as a 3-4 day extension.
Grace Lee, a tour manager at Four Seasons Tours and Travel, explained, “Summer vacation in the U.S. starts earlier than in Korea, making it an ideal time for travel. Since this is Korea’s off-season, travel costs are lower, increasing demand.”
The trend of three-generation travel is also seen in Korean-American families living in the U.S., as well as among Koreans visiting the U.S. through package tours. Tae-Jun Park, Director of PRT Tour, noted, “Families living in Korea who travel together as three generations often prefer historically significant sites, scenic national parks, and luxury cruises.”
Popular U.S. destinations include Washington, D.C., and Boston for their historical significance, as well as Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks for nature-focused getaways. Alaska and Caribbean cruises are also in high demand, while Hawaii and Cancun are top choices for graduation celebration trips.
Cruise travel with grandparents is steadily gaining traction. Many families prefer cruises as they involve minimal movement and offer onboard medical facilities, making them an ideal choice for elderly travelers. Cruises also feature a variety of activities for children, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all three generations.
The most popular cruise package is a 4-5 day trip to Ensenada, Mexico, which fits well with school schedules and allows for a short but meaningful getaway. Elite Tour recently launched a 3-night, 4-day “Hyo-do Cruise” (a cruise designed to show filial respect to grandparents), which has received positive feedback.
A travel industry expert concluded, “Traveling together allows grandparents and grandchildren to share life experiences and express love and gratitude in a unique way. As families continue to embrace this meaningful trend, Grandymoons are expected to grow even further in popularity.”
BY EUNYOUNG LEE [lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com]
