Family car journey games such as I spy at risk of disappearing as children prefer electronic gadgets to beat boredom, finds Hertz Family Travel Report
* 73% of parents say their children would rather play on tablets and games consoles than join in with traditional car games
* Families go on more car holidays than ever as modern technology makes it easier to keep youngsters entertained
LONDON, Aug. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Traditional car journey games such as I spy are at risk of dying out because children prefer playing with electronic gadgets to entertain themselves during family holidays, according to research by Hertz, the world's leading general use car rental brand.
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As the school summer holidays begin, the Hertz Family Travel Report reveals that only a quarter (27%) of children now favour old-fashioned distractions such as 20 questions or number plate games to pass the time during long car journeys with their parents.
However, the findings suggest that while more than half (55%) of parents complain that their children become too fixated on their tablet computers and video games, three-quarters (73%) say it is easier than ever to take youngsters on road trips because the gadgets keep them better occupied. The trend may explain why three-quarters (75%) of parents say they can travel further afield on family road trips than when they were young.
The poll discloses that motoring holidays are becoming more widespread, with 99% of people taking to the roads with their families at least once a year, up from 96% for the previous generation.
Parents named digital entertainment for children as the biggest difference between today's outings and those of their own youth, with half identifying it as the most significant change in travel habits.
Commenting on the findings, Dr David Holmes, a leading British psychologist and author, said: "Gadgets and video games present a double-edged sword for parents. On one hand, they can take the stress out of long journeys as they are brilliant at keeping youngsters entertained and reducing the cries of 'are we there yet?'. However, in an age where children spend so much of their lives staring at screens, games like 'I spy' are important ways of interacting with youngsters, encouraging them to absorb their surroundings and expanding their vocabulary."
The survey found that the most important consideration for people heading off on a family road trip is car safety (52%), followed by space in the car (40%), and comfort (37%). However, many families may have to consider getting a larger vehicle to meet these demands, as more than three-quarters (76%) of parents said their children bring more luggage with them on holiday than they ever did as youngsters.
Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International, said: "With more parents deciding to take their children on car holidays than ever, our Family Collection of spacious vehicles provides the perfect balance for travelling in style without having to sacrifice those extra suitcases. Our fleet of Ford S-Max and Ford Galaxy cars can seat up to seven people as well as providing ample luggage space, while the classic Italian curves of the Fiat 500 MPW make for an elegant and roomy road trip experience for up to five."
While space was found to be a key concern among families, the poll also revealed that nearly a fifth (16%) of in-car arguments stem from how the car is packed. Getting lost was the most common cause of disputes (44%), followed by misbehaving children (40%), and traffic (39%).
More than a fifth of people (22%) said they rowed about their partner's driving skills, with more women (25%) than men (20%) complaining about their spouse's motoring ability.
Despite the arguments, Britons take an average of 2.3 family road trips each year, compared with two annual car holidays a generation ago. Almost one in 10 take as many as five family road trip holidays each year.
But while it might appear as if Britons are becoming more adventurous, their sense of nostalgia often leads them to return to the same places time and again. The survey found 87% of people liked to take their family to spots they visited as a child.
According to the survey, the top 10 ways to beat road trip boredom are:
- Listening to music
- Tablets and portable games consoles
- I spy
- Watching films
- Reading
- Playing the license plate game
- Audio books
- Phone calls and texts
- Travel board games
- Stone, paper, scissors
*Survey of 600 UK residents over the age of 18, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Hertz, June 2014
About Hertz
Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands from approximately 11,555 corporate and licensee locations in about 145 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 10,090 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 145 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 1,400 corporate and franchise locations in approximately 75 countries. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 130 major airports in Europe.
Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, Carfirmations, Mobile Wi-Fi and unique vehicles offered through the company's Adrenaline, Dream, Family, Fun, Green and Prestige Collections also set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation, operates the Hertz 24/7 hourly car rental business and sells vehicles through its Rent2Buy program. The company also owns a leading North American equipment rental business, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, which includes Hertz Entertainment Services. More information about the company can be found at www.abouthertz.com.
About Dr David A Holmes
Dr Holmes is a leading UK Psychologist and familiar face on TV programmes around the world from news and documentaries to chat shows such as Richard and Judy. He is an author of a number of psychology books. His most recent is Abnormal Clinical & Forensic Psychology.
Hertz Press Contacts
Ian Savage
Ketchum
T: +44-(0)-207-611-3774
E: ian.savage@ketchum.com
Meg Morgan
Ketchum
T: +44-(0)-207-611-3841
E: meg.morgan@ketchum.com
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