According to independent surveys from TripAdvisor* and travelhorizons,** families will still be taking summer vacations this year, although many expect to stay closer to home. Four Seasons hotels and resorts across the country are offering fun and exciting packages for the season that promise memorable vacations at a great value.

“Family travel has shown solid growth in the past decade, but the landscape is different this year,” said Susan Helstab, executive vice president of marketing, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “The industry anticipates more people will be staying closer to home this summer and regional travel and car trips are on the rise,” she added.

Melissa Bradley of New York-based travel web site Indagare.com noted, “We are seeing trends with families exploring American history around Washington, DC, as well as the national parks and the California coast. There are also many families coming from abroad to do the same; for instance, a Texas road trip, or a West Coast journey.”

“What is different today is that value is on everyone’s mind,” said Kyle McCarthy of Family Travel Forum Inc., a travel consultant and information company. According to a recent article in Travel Weekly, she’s seen a 10% increase since March in travellers researching family vacations.

This summer, Four Seasons hotels and resorts across North America have developed special packages and itineraries that can help families get the most out of their vacations – at the best value. Hotel and Concierge teams have created endless activities, and will recommend excursions that can be arranged in each destination. Some examples include Hualalai’s Family Connecting Package, Washington’s Family Value Package and Vancouver’s Kids in the City Package.

Over the years, Four Seasons has evolved with the needs of families. The company was a pioneer in developing stimulating kids’ programming at its properties as early as the 1980s, and continues to offer its Kids For All Seasons programme free of charge. Young guests also find kid-friendly menus that are parent-approved, as well as just-for-me in-room amenities such as kid-sized bathrobes and slippers and milk and cookies at bedtime. Many Four Seasons properties also offer young adult facilities, such as Chill Island in Bora Bora, and teen Concierges, like the one in Beverly Hills. From cooking classes to roasting s’mores, from ice-cream-flavour-inspired poolside pedicures to learning opportunities such as ecotours, stargazing, hula dancing and more – Four Seasons helps create memories that last a lifetime.

*TripAdvisor® Family Travel Survey, April 2009
** travelhorizons™ Survey, (US Travel Association and Ypartnership), April 2009