Eco-friendly travel gets family friendly, just in time for summer | New Orleans CityBusiness

The dreaded “summer slide” is famous, but it’s not that oversized water slide at your local theme park you may think of. Up to 84% of school-aged children demonstrate a decline in skills like math and other core topics when they return from summer break.

Recent research by Collaborative for Student Growth at NWEA, Portland, Oregon, looks at assumptions based on 30 year old research and finds while there is still some loss of educational progress, it is far from inevitable.

Researchers say they need to make it a priority to learn more about how to provide the most effective summer activities for differing kinds of learners.

One approach that seems to help some families looking to keep kids’ curiosity high and learning fun over the summer months involves the white-hot eco-friendly travel trend.

With exciting new hands-on, family-focused environmental programming everywhere, from some of the best resorts in Mexico to remote, off-grid destinations, family travel is quickly transforming into a memorable and educational experience that both kids and parents are sure to love.

Hands-on Learning

With 76% of travelers now searching for accommodations’ accredited sustainability measures, eco-consciousness is less a niche interest and more a must.

“Today’s travelers are increasingly informed about environmental issues and seek tourism options that respect and promote sustainability,” says Xavier Ulloa, Director of Marketing at Sandos Hotels & Resorts.

As sustainability becomes essential for travelers, many forward-thinking destinations are finding ways to involve guests in those efforts firsthand. Some of the biggest names in hospitality are finding unique ways to engage and involve guests in Earth-positive efforts, from coral farming programs and tree planting to organic farming workshops.

These efforts increasingly keep young travelers in mind. Nestled along the white sand coastline of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Oil Nut Bay offers an innovative Ranger program to get kids involved in this luxury destination’s unending array of eco-conscious initiatives.

Kids can earn a Ranger pin for each activity they conquer, ranging from hikes and palm tree identification to wildlife encounters.

Eco-Friendly, Family-Fun

Even all-inclusive beachfront resorts are finding new ways to offer an eco-friendly travel experience that stimulates kids’ curiosity while providing a family-friendly experience adults love.

There’s no better example of this than Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, nestled along the impossibly pristine white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya in Mexico. It’s one of just a select number of eco-tourism all-inclusive hotels in Mexico, setting the bar high for making sustainability initiatives an affair the whole family can enjoy.

The resort’s location already makes it a winner among parents looking for a hassle-free vacation; it’s just a 30-minute drive from Cancun International Airport, one of the most well-connected airports in the Caribbean region. Parents will also love its spa services, two brand-new dining destinations, and other relaxing, adult-focused amenities.

However, the eco-friendly, family-focused activities and entertainment set it apart from every other resort in the region. Hike with family through the property’s sensory awareness trail, bond over the “plant a tree” activity, swim in the resort’s mangrove-lined jade river or care for rescue animals at the on-site farm. These offerings are just some ways kids can protect and preserve one of the country’s most biodiverse corners.

Bold guests can plunge into the property’s mystical cenote, a naturally-formed sinkhole filled with crystal-clear water. Not only is swimming in cenotes one of the most popular things to do in Mexico, but it’s also an unforgettable lesson in geology, history, and physics that will stick with kids long after summer vacation.

Going Greener

The popularity of the resort’s eco-friendly focus prompted Sandos Hotels & Resorts to expand its initiatives and its capacity to bring them to families.

The group recently announced the completion of 336 nature-inspired and family-focused rooms at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort. “The renovated rooms and suites have been integrated into the resort’s exclusive Eco Collection, which offers three categories of jungle-inspired accommodation options located amidst the lush jungle landscape and is ideally designed for families,” said Ulloa.

This addition is the latest accomplishment amid a $20 million phased renovation and expansion project. Strategically located near Caracol’s freshwater cenote and natural waterways, the suites neighbor the resort’s colony of friendly spider monkeys, wild coatis, and exotic resident birds. Guests also receive maximum access to the property’s kid-centric pools and 29-slide water park.

In addition to Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, Sandos Hotels & Resorts properties span several desirable locations throughout Mexico. Popular beach destinations like Los Cabos, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun boast family-friendly Sandos resorts.

While the group’s other resorts offer less eco-consciousness than Sandos Caracol, all focus on creating the perfect environment for a family-focused getaway along some of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches.

Multi-Generation Travel, Here To Stay

Multi-generational travel will likely grow in the coming years. A recent IMG study found that 35% of travelers will attend an upcoming domestic or international trip with multiple generations of their family in 2024.

The popularity of increasingly unique and diverse ways to get kids involved in eco-friendly activities while they relax on vacation is poised to get better with time and maybe decrease the dreaded “summer slide.”

This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.