Planning the perfect family summer holiday

Earlier this year, the results of a survey conducted by a local travel booking platform found that 89% of Hong Kong people they interviewed planned to travel abroad at least once in 2025. As June is now here, many families will likely be planning trips for the school summer holidays in July and August. To ensure every family member has a good time, parents should not only make careful itinerary arrangements and book air tickets, accommodation and event tickets early, but also be prepared for unpredictable situations during the trip, especially where elderly people and young children are concerned.

Family travel allows children to experience different cultures and broadens their horizons. Yet, elderly people and children are generally less resilient and may get sick easily due to a change in climate or diet. Parents are advised to prepare their usual medicines before departure for colds and flu, motion sickness, allergies, nausea and vomiting. The itinerary should also align with the usual routines and timetables of the elderly and children so as to maintain their general health and minimise the chance of getting sick.

One insurance company recently launched a free video medical consultation service covering overseas travel, providing its customers with extra support. For example, if you felt unwell during your trip, you could make an appointment with a local registered doctor via a mobile app for a video consultation, without having to travel to see them in person. If you wanted a second opinion, you could also schedule an appointment with a doctor in Hong Kong. You could even be reimbursed for the cost of medication prescribed by the doctor overseas, plus the cost delivering the medication after you returned to Hong Kong, giving you greater peace of mind when travelling outside the city.

Great holidays are truly unforgettable, but if you have a negative experience, such as losing your luggage or if it gets damaged, it can tarnish your memories of the trip. According to international conventions, airlines are obliged to compensate passengers for delayed, lost or damaged luggage. Nevertheless, different airlines have their own procedures and requirements for claiming compensation. So if your luggage sustains damage, but not directly because of being mishandled by the airline, it is unlikely the airline will compensate you.

For this reason, some insurance companies now offer free local suitcase repair with pick-up and delivery service. This means after returning to Hong Kong, if you find that your suitcase has been damaged during your trip, such as lost wheels, a malfunctioning trolley handle or cracks, simply call your insurance company’s dedicated repair hotline. A professional will come to collect the suitcase for repair, and it will be returned afterwards, saving you time, money and stress.

Many insurance companies today offer family plan discounts, allowing the whole family to enjoy more cost-effective premiums. Still, it is important to note that these plans may have age restrictions, including special requirements for the elderly or infants. It is advisable to thoroughly understand and compare different plans before selecting one, so you can enjoy your travels with peace of mind!

This Chinese version of this article was published in the Hong Kong Economics Journal 

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