A new survey shows over half of Irish holidaymakers with kids (53%) say children influence or even choose their holiday destination.

The research* commissioned by Multitrip.com surveyed 1000 people and also found:  

• Gen Z parents were most likely to take their kids’ opinions into account, at 77% 
• Millennial parents were slightly less likely to listen to the kids, at 66% 
• Mams and Dads of kids under the age of 18 were most likely to let kids choose, at 65% 
• Parents of older kids (18+) were less likely to be influenced by their offspring, at 25% 
• 15% of parents said they or someone they were travelling with needed hospital care while on holiday
• More than a quarter (26%) of parents said they or someone in their group visited a GP or doctor while on holiday 

The survey also shows just 36% of parents, with kids under the age of 18, check if their travel insurance policy covers the youngest members of the family. The figure has prompted the team at Multitrip.com to issue a reminder that not having the right travel insurance can leave them exposed to potential financial loss if problems arise on their trip, such as cancellation, lost or stolen luggage and medical costs. 

The message for parents is to get travel cover as soon as they book, and to check the following key areas when choosing a policy: 

Cancellation cover - Check the level of cover per person. Policies typically set limits individually, so €1,000 per person will cover a €4,000 holiday for a family of four if you need to cancel, with each family member covered under the policy.   

Excess amount - Just like with cancellation cover, the excess applies per person. So, if the excess is €100, a family of four would pay €400 in total. For this reason, parents might want to consider choosing an excess waiver or a policy with zero excess. 

Baggage limits - Family travel often means extra equipment such as buggies, car seats etc., so make sure your policy includes this and that the overall limits are high enough for everything you are taking.  

Activity cover - If you are planning activities such as water sports, winter sports, or excursions, check they are included in the policy. Some may require additional cover. 

Gadget protection - Ensure cover limits are high enough for multiple devices, including phones, tablets and games consoles, as individual item limits can apply. 

Jason Whelan, MD at Multitrip.com said: “Family travel could mean theme parks or beach resorts, ski trips, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences, especially if the kids are having a say in where the family is going.’’ 

“Wherever you’re going, taking the time to ensure you have the right travel insurance in place is a crucial part of the holiday planning to protect you from any unexpected expenses if something goes wrong whilst you are away. Our family travel insurance policies offer great value, and kids go free on Annual Premier Plus policies.” 

With Multitrip.com Annual Family Premier Plus policies, kids go free. Customers also enjoy Winter Sports coverage, real-time flight delay benefits, and zero excess – all included at no extra cost. These policies also offer the full range of Multitrip.com benefits, including 24/7 GP access and coverage for over 60 activities and sports.

There are also single trip family policies and a range of cover levels available to suit every family’s needs.  

Sources
* Opinium online survey conducted with 1,000 people who go on holiday abroad at least once a year, from 27th March - 1st April 2026