Published in the Pawtucket Times on April 8, 2002
A growing number of affluent and travel-savvy seniors are fueling the demand for grandparent-grandchildren travel. It’s becoming big business for the travel sector.
According to a recent issue of “Time” magazine, a survey performed by Zogby International for American Demographics found that last year about 20 percent of U.S. grandparents traveled with their grandchildren. Experts believe that this travel trend will continue especially with more than 77 million aging baby boomers who are taking on the role of grandparent. The popularity of seniors taking their young grandchildren on trips is also documented by the National Tourism Association (NTA). According to NTA, children’s tours ranked number 9 out of 50 for top national and international travel tours.
Bonding and getting close to their grandchildren are just a few of the benefits of this trend in fueling the demand for intergenerational travel. Deepening of the bonds between generations can occur without the frustrations of planning the details of a trip.
Recognizing this increasing popular travel trend, The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC) is finalizing the travel itinerary for four affordable, intergenerational trips. The new series, “Bring Your Grandparents to the Blackstone Valley,” will feature the valley’s historic sites, museums and the Blackstone River. Additionally, these day trips will also feature fun destinations such as the zoos, waterslides, nature areas and orchards in the valley.
The first day trip, scheduled for April 17, is planned to coincide with school vacations, notes Mary Harrington, BVTC’s Group Tour Manager. With a lot of parents working during school vacations, grandparents can easily step in to take care of the youngsters, she says.
On this day trip, grandparents and grandchildren from kindergarten age up to 12 years of age, can explore the history and culture of the Blackstone Valley Corridor by watching an award film, “Hidden in the Blackston Valley,” in a theater in the City’s Visitor Center. The 20-minute film tells the story of the rise and decline of the textile industry and the role it played in setting the American Industrial Revolution in motion.
Meanwhile, trip organizers are hopeful that both generations learn more about ecology along the 46-mile Blackstone River by scheduling an hour-long riverboat ride on the Explorer. During the ride, an ecologist will perform water quality tests. Youngsters will also find out more about the plant and fish and animal species that live in and along the riverbanks and even learn how to help clean up the river.
Also, included in this affordable travel package is a child-friendly lunch were hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches and French fries will be served at Pawtucket’s Modern Diner. The custom-built Sterling Steamliner is recognized as the first diner to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Finally, a child-oriented tour of Slater mill, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, is planned. Both young and old can see a replica of an early 19th century waterwheel turning real machinery and see flax spun into linen. They will even learn more about child labor laws and how the 19th century industrial revolution changed virtually every aspect of daily life. After the tour both grandparent and grandchildren, supervised by a Slater Mill educator, can work together on a traditional fiber arts craft project.
“We came up with this trip package that takes care of all the details,” Harrington said. “It is not always for grandparents to figure out what to do.”
With many seniors living on a fixed income, the costs of each day trips will be kept affordable and interesting, Harrington says. She says that the price tag for a day trip is only $22, covering the registration of both the grandparent and their youngest charge. However, for the first day trip, the ecology program on the Explorer will cost an additional $6 per person.
For details, call Mary Harrington at the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at 401-724-2200. Deadline for registration is Monday, April 15.
Herb Weiss 