Motives and Patterns of Family Reunion Travel

 What motivates family reunion travelers? How do family reunion travelers make their decisions?


Motivations for a family reunion can be for many reasons. The most common motivations are the importance of family relationships and bonding. Nowadays, a lot of family members, distant relatives and close friends live in different states or countries. Some changes in the family structure forces us to define someone as family. Whether it is through marriage, blood, adoption or close friendship we tend to call them “family.” The definition of family has changed and extended to include more distant relatives and friends.

In the U.S., many families relocate to different regions of the country so there is a need for visiting families even if it is once a year for a holiday. Most family members move from state to state in search of better living conditions, job, school, relationships and so on. In today’s modern technology there are many ways to communicate with family members who live far away. However, it is not the same as spending quality time together and bonding.

Research indicates: “The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) has reported that families account for 65 percent of domestic travel and on average spend more when traveling than do individual travelers. Interestingly the TIA reported that one-third of family travelers travel to attend family reunions” (Yun, 2009).


Family reunion travelers are willing to spend money and time for family togetherness. Family members who plan to travel and attend family reunions, gatherings and other celebrations understand the benefits and needs of their families. Family reunion travel helps to enhance, build and maintain stronger family relationships. According to psychology studies, “Motivation is viewed as an internal factor that arouses and directs human behavior. Psychological factors are deemed key towards understanding tourists’ behavior. Motivation to travel is a set of needs, which predispose a person to participate in a tourist activity.” (Yun, 2009).

In my own experience, I know how it is to have most of my family members living abroad in different countries and in U.S. I have to make some time for family reunion and togetherness, so I travel long distance to see them. I went to Germany and Switzerland three times for family get-together. My mother and two of my brothers live in Europe with their families. I also have three sisters, one in Canada with her family, one in Ethiopia and the third one in the U.S. with her family. My best friend lives in Dallas, Texas and I have been there several times for best friend and family reunion, since we have known each other from childhood.

In order to have strong relationship and bonding with new family members, a new born baby or newly married relatives, a family reunion is the best way to get-together. As it is for families, it is also true for friends to have reunions because it strengthens, builds and maintains long distance relationships. The most common family reunion travel seasons are summer and fall. Summer season is when school is out for children and a lot of parents and adults get vacation time off. The fall season is when most holidays start, from Thanksgiving to Christmas then New years, and these are good times to celebrate with family members.

Yun, J., Lehto, X., (2009, July). Motives and patterns of family reunion travel: Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, 10(2009): 279-300. Retrieved November 28, 2010, from the Academic Search Complete Database.
Image, (n.d.), The Family Travel Files.com. Retrieved November, 30, 2010, from: http://www.thefamilytravelfiles.com/folders/reunions/.

Image, (n.d.), The Family Travel Files.com. Retrieved November 30, 2010, from: http://www.thefamilytravelfiles.com/folders/snowplaces/.

Image, (n.d.) Family reunion Stock Photos & Images: Fotosearch.com.
Retrieved November, 30, 2010, from: http://comps.fotosearch.com/bigcomps/CRT/CRT172/004123AT.jpg