EXPERIENCING NEW CULTURES, discovering fresh perspectives and finding escape—the allure of travel is undeniable. But there remains a divide between two types of travellers: those without children and those who cannot be away from them. With differing lifestyles and priorities, choosing to have or not to have children now looks like it is dictated by how a couple desires to travel, too.

Liberty For Childless Couples

Many today pursue their careers in order to fund their needs and wants—one of that being to travel. In fact, travelling without having to bring along a little one is a big reason why couples delay or choose not to have kids.

Jeffrey and Jacqueline Tan, newlyweds who have decided to postpone parenthood say they still want to choose how they spend their money without the financial commitment of having a baby. “We also cherish spending time together as a couple,” adding that it would be most difficult to travel with children as they would have to control the baby’s crying or manage situations.

Indeed, it can be liberating to travel without kids. For one, you can plan your itinerary to include whatever you want to see without considering if it is age-appropriate. There is absolute quiet time for you and your partner. You can also plan your vacation during off-peak seasons, which means cheaper flights, hotels, attractions and smaller crowds.

“Rather than waiting for the school holidays, my husband and I can just pack our bags and go whenever we feel like it,” says Su Hui Foo, who is in her forties. Initially, she had regrets that they could not have children, but now, she says the bright side is getting to travel off-peak. Travelling is integral to their relationship; they go abroad at least twice yearly, enjoying the benefits of off-peak sightseeing, making them feel savvy and resourceful.

Family Travel For Young Parents

Meanwhile, many young parents vacation with their kids and see that as an excellent opportunity for bonding. Granted, stressful moments will arise, but this pales in comparison to the joy of seeing new sights. A Family Travel Trends report by Expedia Group[1] found that couples with Gen Alpha children (those born after 2010) look up family play vacations, especially visiting theme parks (74%), water activities (67%) and outdoor activities (55%), which debunks the common perception that having a baby means you will not get to travel as much anymore. Ng Zhi Yi and wife, Fiona Yong found more reasons to travel once their baby came along. From simply pursuing their careers and living a repetitive daily routine, their priorities have now shifted. Short outings to the local shopping mall or a day at Zoo Negara, and even roughing it out—just a tiny bit—at a glamping location has given them many beautiful memories.

This shift in perspective is not unique to Ng and Fiona. Many parents find that the joy of seeing the world through their child’s eyes adds a new dimension to their travel experiences. “We wouldn’t go out of our way to do all those things if it weren’t for our son, and sometimes we end up enjoying it more than he does. He just likes to play with rocks,” Ng laughs.

International travel may be daunting for new parents, but some believe this experience should be woven into their childhood. Travelling with kids requires preparation, and some may take years to muster that courage. Eiliyah Ooi began travelling with her daughter since she was a baby. “I wanted to get her used to it, so we started early. We would travel domestically at first, and then as she got older, we started to fly to Thailand, Japan and the UK,” she says. Her daughter, Eryna, went on her first unaccompanied minor trip to Amsterdam when she was nine.

No-Kids Policies, Adults-only Zones

Due to the demand for flights, rooms and F&B bookings, family travel is a profitable sector. According to Expedia[2], families spend 25% more per booking than other travellers, making them an impactful group in the industry. However, the industry may need to prepare for a new wave of tourism that is already picking up in other parts of the world: adults-only travel.

Adults-only does not imply PG- or SX-rated offerings. While almost all hotels are generally family-friendly, some hotels in South Korea, Thailand and the US are taking the opposite approach to provide a child-free environment for couples who prefer to travel in peace. With measures like child-free facilities or time limits on children’s access, adults can have the swimming pools, restaurants and lounges to themselves. In 2022, a Singaporean restaurant imposed a SGD10 penalty for rowdy children, [3] which naturally sparked a debate among parents.

Ng, who worked in the restaurant line for many years, agrees with the no-child policy in certain restaurants. “When your guests are paying premium prices to dine at your restaurant, it’s the establishment’s responsibility to curate that experience and ambience so that guests can enjoy their meal fully. Children running around and screaming will inevitably ruin that, so I fully support this policy, even though I’m a father myself,” Ng says.

Easing Travel With Young Children

Many parents tell me travelling with young children can be stressful, but when they are not around, you start to miss them. Therefore, one needs to be realistic—travelling with children will not be a bed of roses. Here are some helpful tips so you are not overwhelmed when things inevitably go south:

1. Pack enough entertainment for the little ones, like books or toys.

2. Discuss with your spouse how you will deal with things going off-plan.

3. Let the children board the plane last so they don’t need to sit in their spot for too long before take-off.

4. Space out your itinerary and go with the flow. Don’t try to squeeze too many activities in a day.

5. If flying with a baby stroller, put it in checked luggage instead of bringing it on board. Upon touchdown, the ground crew will deliver the stroller to you at the aerobridge.

“MAAS (Meet and Assist) is a concierge service provided by selected airlines and airports. For example, if you’re travelling alone and need an extra hand or guidance through the airport, a ground staff can guide you through all the airport processes and offer close assistance,” Ooi advises. This is an optional request you can make when booking your flight.

When travelling with children, destination matters, too. Big cities like Bangkok, Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City are not ideal for young children as they involve a lot of walking and are not stroller-friendly. Instead, consider South Korea, Australia and Singapore, which are much more accommodating of younger children.

“The experience is always worth it,” Hannah Loh, a mother of two, says. “I’m always glad I can show them new things and get them to experience life beyond the day-to-day. When you decide to have kids, you’re making a decision to raise a whole human being, and that includes showing them different cultures and ways of living so that they can have a broader mindset.”

Seeing how the desire to travel influences whether couples decide to have children or not, maybe we should look at where Penang positions itself to receive these kinds of travellers. From my point of view, Penang can be rated “very friendly” whether you are travelling with or without children. We have family-friendly spots that are spacious enough for kids. We have beaches, nature getaways and theme parks (like The TOP and Escape). Travellers without kids can admire the architecture around George Town’s heritage area, and when tired, stop at any of the many cafes for a drink. Plus, finding food that suits both young and old palates will not be an issue.

Footnotes:

[1] https://go2.advertising.expedia.com/rs/185-EIA-216/ images/Generation-Alpha_Research.pdf

[2] https://advertising.expedia.com/blog/ travel-trends/return-international-family-travel/

[3] https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2022/09/21/singaporean-restaurant-levies-rm32-screaming-child-surcharge-for-customers-with-uncontrollable-children/29341