Stubborn Mule, the UK's only 100% tailor-made family travel specialist, has revealed their predictions for what's hot in 2017.

“2016 has definitely been Cuba's year whilst new direct flights to Costa Rica has seen family traveller numbers soar,” says Liddy Pleasants, Managing Director.

“For 2017, though, Belize will be a new contender on the family travel block, again because of improved flight links, families will be looking for Brexit Bargains where their money can go further whilst the rise and rise of the multigenerational holiday means that '70 is now the new 50'.

For this and other predictions in the family travel market, read on.

The 70th birthday the most popular multigenerational holiday motive

'70 is the new 50' as far as multigenerational (or 3G – 3 generation) holidays are concerned, with a 70th birthday being the landmark event for going abroad en famille.

“We have seen a 28% increase in multigenerational bookings year on year,” says Liddy. As for who is taking a multigenerational break, clients fall into two camps: either Grandparents celebrating (and paying for) a big birthday, nearly always their 70th, and wanting a last hurrah with the whole family before they get too old, and secondly, Mum's and Dads who pay for grandparents to accompany them, to spread the childcare load.”

 As for the most popular 3G destinations, they are: Sri Lanka, Tanzania (often with parents climbing Kilimanjaro whilst grandparent's look after the kids on Zanzibar) and other safari destinations, Burma and Costa Rica.

Why Belize will be the next big thing in family travel

Could Belize be the next Central American country to benefit from direct flights? 2016 has seen massive growth in neighbouring Costa Rica following direct flights from BA in May, but from 4th November 2016, Belize is being served by American Airlines flying out of Heathrow.  (Before now, UK travellers have had to overnight in the US or Mexico, taking up valuable wildlife spotting time.) 

Stubborn Mule has launched two brand new trips there, , 'Belize Adventure Highlights', 15 days from £2,000 per person plus flights from £850 per person) and Belize and Guatemala Highlights, from £1,850 per person for 15 days (flights from £600 pp).

More bang for your buck: Brexit Bargains

Love it or loathe it, “Brexit means Brexit”, apparently and families wanting to make their money go further are having to get savvy on where they go on holiday during 2017. “The good news,” says Liddy, “is that there's several long-haul destinations which still offer fantastic value-for money for adventurous families””.

The Rand remains at a low level meaning Namibia and South Africa are competitively priced and offer great value for money, boasting national parks that easily rival East African counterparts yet for a fraction of the price.

They're malaria free, too, adding extra piece of mind when it comes to keeping the kids safe on safari.

In Asia, Nepal has just been voted the world's 'Best Value Destination for 2017' by the Lonely Planet, whilst in Latin America, Cuba still offers global adventure for a steal.

Central Highlands the 'new Sapa' in Vietnam

“Completely over-run” is how Liddy describes Sapa now that there's a motorway linking it with Hanoi. Mai Chau, the 'other' hilltribe hotspot is following suit.

For 2017, Stubborn Mule is offering its family travellers, 'the most authentic tribal experience in Vietnam,” courtesy of a brand new Eco-resort in the Central Highlands.  In the same year that we celebrate the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the area and retreat is “completely untouched by mainstream travel, certainly the family travel market, save for a few intrepid backpackers.

“What the Central Highlands lack in picturesque paddy fields, they more than make up for in terms of genuine interactions between family travellers and local people; homestay accommodation giving a much-needed source of income.”

Over the past six months, Vietnam has overtaken Sri Lanka and Cuba to become the most popular family tourist destination for Stubborn Mule travellers.

Nairobi to Mombasa journey times slashed, saving a family of four £400

From mid-2017, a new railway line linking the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to Mombasa on the coast, will slash journey times from a bum-numbing 12 hours to just 4, replacing an expensive internal flight with a £400 saving for a family of four. “Families nearly always want to experience inland safari with some R & R beach time at the end of the trip,” says Liddy. “This will make it cheaper to do so and for children, more fun, too.” Stubborn Mule's new 10 day Kenya Safari and Beach  will coast £1,750 per person plus international flights of £450 per person.

For more information about Stubborn Mule, visit www.stubbornmuletravel.com or T. 01728 752 751.

About Stubborn Mule

Stubborn Mule offers over 20 tailor-made family adventures to destinations in Asia, Africa, Arabia, Latin America and beyond. It was founded in 2009 by Liddy Pleasants who has nearly 20 year's first-hand travel experience (including cycling 3,000km around South East Asia with her young family).  Stubborn Mule is ATOL protected.