The average child will travel more than 13,500 miles, try 35 foreign dishes and visit at least five different countries by the time they are 16, new research has shown. A study of 2,000 people found the typical globe-trotting youngster will have been to 11 destinations by the time they reach adulthood, clocking up a total of over 13,582 miles.
This is five times more than their parents, who are only likely to have visited four countries as a youth, clocking up just 2,471 miles by the same age.
Children of today were more than twice as likely to have visited France and more than three times more likely than their parents to have visited Spain before turning 16.
Interestingly, under 16s were more likely to have visited France or Spain than to have made the journey to Devon or Cornwall.
The results emerged in a study commissioned by premium all-inclusive holiday provider, Club Med.
Laurent De Chorivit, MD of Club Med in the UK, said:
”As well-known brands set up resorts in destinations further afield, exotic holidays are becoming more accessible to families.
”If the accommodation is familiar and reliable, and the food can be trusted, parents are more likely to take their children to less conventional hotspots.”
Children are also more adventurous in the culinary department, having experienced on average seven items native to the country they have visited.
In contrast to this, 44% of their parents said they had either refused or barely tried new dishes when abroad as a youngster.
The study also showed that better-travelled youngsters are three times more likely to have visited America compared to their parents’ experience growing up – and the US proved the third most commonly-visited destination.
It was found that mums and dads are far less likely to travel beyond central Europe, with France, Spain and Germany being the most popular holiday destinations.
The research showed that now, by the time children reach the age of 16, they have been to exotic destinations such as Zambia, Bali, Thailand and even as far as Australia.
That goes some way to explaining why 78% of parents feel their children are far more adventurous on holiday than they ever were.
Three quarters of Brits say they actively aim to get their child away to experience other places as much as possible.
Learning other cultures was regarded as the biggest reason for parents to encourage a love of traveling in their children, while broadening geographical knowledge and developing a sense of exploring were also found to be important.
Larent De Chorivit added:
”Club Med has resorts all over the world including China, Brazil and Egypt.
”Our premium holidays give parents peace of mind, knowing there will be something for all the family to enjoy and the facilities will be the same high Club Med standard anywhere in the world.”
KIDS – 11 DESTINATIONS VISITED BY THE TIME THEY REACH 16
1. France 212 miles (Paris)
2. Spain 785 miles (Barcelona)
3. USA 3663 miles (Washington)
4. Canary Islands 1701 miles (Lanzarote)
5. Greece 1493 miles (Athens)
6. Germany 578 miles (Munich)
7. Majorca 835 miles
8. Italy 896 miles (Rome)
9. Portugal 978 miles (Lisbon)
10. Belgium 207 miles (Brussels)
11. Cyprus 2234 miles
Total 13,582 MILES
PARENTS – 4 DESTINATIONS VISITED BY THE TIME THEY REACHED 16
1. France 212 miles (Paris)
2. Spain 785 miles (Barcelona)
3. Germany 578 miles (Munich)
4. Italy 896 miles (Rome)
Total 2,471 MILES
13,582/ 2471 = 5.5 x more travels by kids than their parents
*7 dishes on the holiday x 5 different countries visited = 35 local dishes
