Here’s where TPG kids are eager to travel next

The travel industry experienced a surge this summer, with travelers eager to reclaim their vacations. The U.S. began to show promising signs regarding COVID-19, as case numbers decreased, vaccination rates increased, and the economy continued to improve.

Recently, the pandemic appears to have worsened, as the delta variant poses a risk to families — especially those with young children — leading many parents to wait hopefully for a COVID-19 vaccine to be available for kids under 12.

Adults aren't the only ones feeling disappointed about canceled trips; kids are joining them, too.

With school back in session and many fall travel plans disrupted, we asked some TPG kiddos (the children of TPG staff) to tell us where they want to go — when it's safe — on their next exciting travel adventure.

Here’s what they shared with us.

Juan Ruiz, Credit Cards Editor

Juan's twin daughters are eager to explore Paris and see the Eiffel Tower up close one day. They've watched the movie "Leap" (set in Paris) countless times and are excited to experience the City of Lights for themselves. Last year, they mentioned Hawaii as their dream destination — where they spent their spring break this year — so now Paris is at the top of their list.

Rachel Malone-Olson, Vice President

Rachel recently returned from a family beach vacation, and her two-year-old is already looking forward to going back. When asked about her next destination, she excitedly replied, "Water, swimming, swimsuit, water."

Benét Wilson, Senior Credit Cards Editor

Carmen, Benét's 15-year-old daughter, expressed her desire to travel to South America as part of her goal to visit every continent. She has her sights set on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, drawn by its beautiful beaches, pleasant weather, and delicious food.

Nick Ewen, Senior Editor

At six and a half years old, Nick's daughter expressed her desire to visit the Galapagos, stating, "Because I've never been there and I also want to see the Galapagos penguins." She’s also looking forward to meeting the massive, century-old tortoises.

Nathan Richardson, Executive Vice President

Nathan's twins are avid skiers and are eager to return to Swiss Ski School. They also hope that wherever they spend Thanksgiving, there will be a kids club similar to Round Hill. At ski school, they enjoy getting tape bubble gum for lunch, and the kids club features a race car.

Scott Mayerowitz, Executive Editorial Director

During the early days of the pandemic, Scott's six-year-old daughter missed school so much that she created her own pretend classroom at home. Now, her imagination is focused on Hawaii, dreaming of a lavish buffet and receiving a lei at a traditional luau.

Summer Hull, Editorial Director

It's no surprise that Summer's children are excited for their next Disney adventure. During Disney's closure, they enjoyed watching ride-through videos on YouTube, and when things feel overwhelming, they like to share their favorite rides and snacks, imagining what they’ll do on their next visit.

Throughout the pandemic, she and her family have made trips to Disney, but they felt a bit apprehensive during a visit this summer after the mask mandates were lifted. Fortunately, by the end of July, Disney reinstated the indoor mask mandate, regardless of vaccination status.

Mitchell Stoutin, Senior Director of Engineering

Mitchell recently told his four-year-old son that an old friend constructs spaceships in Los Angeles for SpaceX. When asked if he’d like to see them, his son enthusiastically responded, "Yes! I want to go into space." Thankfully, Mitchell might have the chance to redeem miles for a space flight with Virgin Galactic.

Ariana Arghandewal, Points and Miles Editor

Both Ariana and her 10-year-old niece are crazy about Turkey, and her excitement was palpable when asked about their next destination. "Turkey is famous for its ancient artifacts, rich religious history, and tea. There’s so much to explore…" she explains. "Many of my classmates think it’s a poor country at war, but that’s not true. I want to return and share how special it really is."

Ashley Onadele, Writer

Sadly, Ashley made the tough decision to cancel the family’s upcoming journey to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Having built up her toddlers' excitement for a beach getaway, it’s no surprise that her three-year-old son exclaimed, "Cabo, baby!" when asked about his next travel wish.

Bottom line

With school back in session, many families are now in planning mode, determining where and when to embark on their next adventure. With canceled trips in the past, TPG kids, like countless others, are dreaming of their ideal vacation spots. Talking about travel with your kids or brainstorming future destinations can provide a much-needed sense of hope as we look ahead.