Family ties: 4 ways DMOs can tap into the nostalgia & multi-generational travel trend

Family-friendly vacations have always been a cornerstone of the tourism industry, but a new and niche type of traveler is shaping the future of this market: multi-generational families seeking nostalgic experiences.

This trend is rapidly gaining traction, and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) have a unique opportunity to leverage it to attract more families, deepen their engagement, and drive future bookings.

Trend four from Simpleview’s eBook, “Unlock the Top Tourism Trends of 2025,” highlights the growing desire for families to travel together, sharing experiences that span generations and evoke memories of past vacations.

Let’s dive into what that means for your destination.

What Nostalgic & Multi-Generational Travel Have in Common

Nostalgic travel allows families to reconnect with places that hold sentimental value. Whether it’s a beach town visited year after year, a family cabin in the mountains, or a destination filled with fond childhood memories — these trips offer comfort, familiarity, and a sense of tradition. At the same time, multi-generational trips allow families to create new memories while honoring the past, ensuring everyone from grandparents to grandchildren feels included and has a fun, memorable vacation.

The global pandemic led many families to prioritize reconnecting with loved ones. Multi-generational travel is not just about spending quality time together but also about reliving special moments; this blending of nostalgia with family bonding is powerful — and it’s driving new trends in tourism.

Four Ways to Tap into This Trend

DMOs have an opportunity to tap into this trend by tailoring their marketing strategies to highlight experiences that appeal to families of all ages. Here are four ways to get started.
 

1. Showcase Family-Friendly Activities

DMOs should highlight a variety of activities that cater to multi-generational families. This includes everything from outdoor adventures, cultural events, and museum visits to culinary experiences and walking tours that can resonate with different generations.

For instance, the Visit Louisville website features a “Family Fun” drop-down on its main navigation. The landing page offers a list of family-friendly attractions, like interactive children's museums and deep-rooted historical tours, showing that the city is not just for bourbon and betting.
 

This inclusive approach of appealing to a wide range of ages and interests ensures planners that the destination has something for everyone — fostering more bookings from family groups.
 

2. Leverage Nostalgic Messaging

Emphasizing nostalgia is key to capturing the multi-generational family traveler. DMOs can craft campaigns that remind families of the joy and comfort they felt on past vacations — sharing stories of historical landmarks, long-standing traditions, or time-honored local events.

Visit Norfolk successfully taps into this by showcasing nostalgic attractions like old-school boardwalks and vintage diners that have been mainstays for decades. Campaign material, like this video, creates an emotional connection with families who remember their own experiences and want to share those with the next generation.



 

3. Offer Group Packages & Family Discounts

To entice families that are traveling together, DMOs can partner with local businesses to offer special group rates, packages, or discounts for extended families. Whether it’s a family reunion special or a vacation package that includes lodging, dining, and activities for all ages — engaging with a DMO’s partners can make the experience more accessible and affordable for travelers.

For example, Visit Tucson offers promotions that cater to the diverse needs of multi-generational travelers, including discounted hotel packages, bundled experiences, and activities tailored to all ages.
 

The DMO’s website also features “Family Travel” and “Outdoor Family Fun” landing pages, as well as a “5-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary.”
 

4. Promote Accessible Accommodations

When families vacation together, they often seek accessible accommodations so everyone can travel comfortably. DMOs can use Simpleview CRM to highlight their partners’ amenities online so families can plan their trips with ease and confidence.

Visit Raleigh offers an “Accessible Raleigh, N.C.” landing page, with resources like “Accessible Raleigh, N.C.: Things to Do for Visitors With Disabilities.” These pages provide planners with everything they need to seamlessly book inclusive experiences.
 

Promoting experiences that span generations and evoke emotional connections will go a long way in today’s travel atmosphere. DMOs can tap into this growing trend, effectively connecting with the multi-generational family market and creating lasting memories for travelers of all ages and abilities.