According to USA Today, hotels and other lodging places are working harder to “woo vacationers and families.” Many are introducing new kid-friendly and leisurely services and comforts because today leisure travelers are seen as more important than business travelers. In 2004, leisure travelers surpassed business travelers as the primary hotel customer in the U.S. and in 2009, the number of leisure travelers rose from 399 million in 2000, to 476 million. According to the article, business travel is on the decline and travelers have also gotten younger. Now Gen X travelers (people in their late 20s to early 40s) are replacing Baby Boomers, and Gen X travelers are more willing to go on family vacations than travel for business.

Many hotels are adjusting their offerings due to the large amount of leisure family vacationers. Marriot International, for instance, is beginning to give out toddler care items such as fitted slip covers for cribs, bath toys [...]

Whether you are travelling on a business trip or taking a family beach vacation, arranging the contents of your suitcase is important to ensure nothing gets too wrinkled and you have room for everything you need. Many people tend to over pack, which just creates more work for you. Lugging around a heavy suitcase at the airport is no fun, especially when you really only need half the contents for your trip. Here are great packing tips to follow for the next family beach vacation you plan:

• First, make a list of everything you think you need to bring on your trip. Keep in mind where you are going, what activities you plan on doing and whether or not you’ll have a washer and dryer available while on the trip. After the list is complete, go back [...]

It’s like a dream. You’re relaxing on the beach at your family vacation destination and THERE HE IS! The superstar you love! The Hollywood glam queen whose show you never miss! You’re stunned… then you realize that if you want to do something, now is the time to take action.

Hold on there, partner.

Before your “diva” makes a getaway, remind yourself that there are several rules regarding how to deal with celebs you see while you’re on a trip. Follow them, and you’ll have a much better chance of taking home a great story from your best family vacation!

1. If the Star is Filming, Stand Back

Unless you’ve been asked to be part of a “crowd scene”, stay away from the star. You may have an opportunity later to ask him or her to sign your travel magazine (hey, what else do you have handy while at the beach or boardwalk?), but you’ll [...]

ALERT!:

This is a post directed to all those teens out there who want to have the best family vacation this summer but are worried about how to do that AND get along with nagging parents, annoying siblings and visits to museums of natural boredom.

There IS a way to make sure you don’t fall asleep for the whole time you’re at your Tennessee log cabin or South Carolina resort.

Travel Tips for Teens #1: Play Along

Okay, so your dad really wants to go to some old house that was built about nine million years ago and you could care less. You COULD mope and groan and make everyone miserable… but that wouldn’t get you anywhere. Instead, play along with your dad’s big adventure. Ironically, if you think positively, you’re more likely to enjoy the family vacation getaway, even as you’re hearing a tour guide say “antique” for about the fiftieth time.

Travel Tips [...]

Babies are awfully cute when they gurgle, coo, laugh and sleep. But they aren’t known for being the best family vacation getaway companions. That’s why you need to be prepared!

“Baby’s Best Family Vacation” Travel Tips from GuestQuest:

TAKE TOYS! — No, wait. Make that “take favorite toys”. If Junior loves his old, beat-up teddy bear with the missing eye, you’d be wise to ensure it makes the journey from your home to your family vacation destination.

KEEP A ROUTINE — Okay, this can be tough, especially when you want your family vacation getaway to include lots of late nights exploring the moonlit beach or the thumping city nightlife. However, if you want to remember your journey with fondness, it’ll behoove you to stick to routines as much as possible.

AVOID TRAINING BABY DURING THE TRIP — Think you’ll introduce “the potty” during your visit [...]

We’ve all had it happen – illness during a family vacation getaway. Maybe it starts with a sniffle. Maybe it starts with a headache. But it ends in the same place – aggravation.

Fear not, weary travelers. There are ways to salvage your best family vacations, even when germs attempt to sabotage your good time!

Plan Ahead

A week or two before your trip to your Florida vacation condo or Georgia lodging, start loading up on Vitamin C and getting some rest. It may be tough, but in the end it will make your body stronger and healthier; that way, you’ll be less likely to get a cold.

Take Precautions

If you’re prone to allergies or seasonal colds, take some over-the-counter or prescription medications with you to your family vacation spot. Obviously, you don’t want to travel with a whole pharmacy; however, it’s never a bad [...]

If you’re sporting a belly bump (or will soon be a member of this ultra chic club), congratulations!

No matter what kind of family vacation getaway you’re interested in taking this year, make sure you indulge and enjoy before Baby comes.Of course, that’s easier said than done.

For many women, carrying around an extra 20 or more pounds is anything but relaxing. That’s why it’ll behoove you to plan your fun family vacations this year with the mama in mind.

Take it Easy on the Tourism

Pregnancy makes a gal tire fairly easily, especially during the last trimester. Her feet hurt, her back hurts and she probably needs a restroom more frequently than before she heard the good news.

Consequently, it’s important to make sure that wherever you go – whether it’s to a Florida vacation condo or one of those super fine New York condominiums [...]

For far too many people, coming back from their fun family vacations means having a rude awakening with The Scale.

In fact, plenty of individuals find themselves bringing home extra “souvenirs” from their (otherwise) best family vacations – pounds of unwanted fat.

If you tend to add girth to your middle or inches to your thighs during your family vacation getaway experiences, take heart. There are absolutely plenty of ways to lose weight during your trip without feeling like you’re “working out”. Here’s how!

1. Choose An Efficiency or Rental Home

Heading to one of those fine Alabama hotels? See if the one you have in mind offers efficiency suites.

When you’re given a place to store and prepare food, it makes it easier to cook healthy, nutritious meals. And shopping in a different grocery store can actually be kind of fun – you’ll find out where all those residents of your fave family vacation [...]