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From New Friends to Big Adventures: What Kids Really Want on Their Dream Holidays

Latest research from eight global markets reveals what kids aged 5 to 12 are craving most on holiday

90% are looking for opportunities to connect and make new friends while on holiday

89% want family holidays that feel like stepping into their favourite games, films, and fantasy worlds

85% want make-believe activities, like being a race car driver, zookeeper or astronaut for a day

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Parents take note: the kids’ travel wish list has landed! As summer approaches, a new global survey reveals what our young travellers are really dreaming about, and spoiler alert: it’s not just ice cream and cartoons. From friendship quests to superhero adventures, today’s young adventurers have spoken, and they’re bringing big imagination to their travel wish lists. Ready for a vacation that will create unforgettable memories with the kids? Here’s what they’re really looking for!

Parents take note: the kids’ travel wish list has landed! As summer approaches, a new global survey reveals what our young travellers are really dreaming about and—spoiler alert—it’s not just ice cream and cartoons. From friendship quests to superhero adventures, today’s young adventurers have spoken, and they’re bringing big imagination to their travel wish lists. Ready for a vacation that will create unforgettable memories with the kids? Here’s what they’re really looking for!

Craving for connections

Research* was commissioned by Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), polling over 7,000 children aged 5 to 12 and their parents from across nine countries, including France, Italy, Germany, China, UK, US, and India, as well as UAE and Saudi Arabia. The data reveals something both unexpected and universal: 90% of children worldwide want holiday activities that help them make new friends.

In an age of screens and streaming, what kids are genuinely craving is real connection. Whether it’s exploring the children’s library, splashing at a waterpark, or a day out at the aquarium, these shared adventures can easily help children form new bonds that stretch across the globe. Additionally, peer influence also plays a powerful role: 95% of kids want to try activities they can tell their friends about, while 91% are inspired by what their friends have done.

While connection is key, imagination still plays a huge role, with 89% of children saying their ideal holiday lets them experience their favourite video game or movie in real life. These young travellers aren’t just watching, scrolling or gaming, they’re trying to imagine themselves inside those worlds.

H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Bushlaibi, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “As both a parent and a marketer, I know firsthand how important it is to really listen to kids, to understand what lights them up, what sparks their imagination, and what makes a holiday unforgettable. We commissioned this research to hear what truly matters to children when they look at holidays, and what they told us was inspiring: they want connection, adventure, and the freedom to play out the stories they love. Abu Dhabi brings all of that to life as a place where kids can dream big, try new things, and feel right at home doing it with their loved ones.”

As children from around the world revealed what makes a holiday unforgettable, each country had its own standout passion.

  • In the UAE, 98% of kids said big, exciting adventures are a must
  • More than 3 in 4 kids surveyed in India want to visit a museum on holiday
  • In the UK, 94% prioritise activities they can talk about with friends
  • German children showed a strong interest in cultural food experiences, with 84% wanting to visit a food market
  • 89% of kids from China want time to relax, play and hang out
  • Italian kids stood out for their curiosity, with 95% wanting to try activities they’ve never done before
  • French kids gravitated towards water activities, with 97% wanting to spend a day at a waterpark or enjoying water sports
  • Children in Saudi Arabia showed a love for variety with 82% wanting to try lots of different cool activities on holiday
  • In the US, 85% of children are keen to take part in make-believe activities like being a race car driver or zookeeper for the day

The takeaway is simple: kids want to follow their passions. They’re looking for a holiday that blends fun, freedom and the chance to explore their interests in their own way. And they’re looking to do it all with their loved ones. The research also finds that family time remains sacred, even in today’s day and age, with 97% of kids saying that enjoying fun moments with their families is one of their must-haves on their dream holiday.

Abu Dhabi: a playground for imagination

With a diverse range of attractions dotted across the emirate, Abu Dhabi stands out as a “Totally Recommended” holiday destination for families, entirely kid-approved. As kids look for opportunities to play make-believe roles (85%), Abu Dhabi is setting the stage for them to do it all. From cruising through Yas Marina Circuit and exciting animal encounters at Emirates Park Zoo, to donning the capes of their favourite superheroes at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the emirate is packed with experiences that will make kids feel like they’ve jumped straight into their dream holidays.

And there’s even more to discover. At teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, families can explore a world where art comes alive, light reacts to movement and every step sparks a new surprise. Opening later this year are Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which will narrate the story of life on Earth and the origins of our universe.

So, with all of these incredible insights, what does the perfect family holiday actually look like? That’s exactly what we set out to create, by handing the planning over to the kids themselves.

The ultimate travel itinerary: created by kids, for kids

We asked children to design their dream holiday. Not just what they wanted to see and do, but how they wanted to feel, where they wanted to eat, and what kind of pace made the experience fun. The result is a seven-day itinerary filled with culture, big adventures, creative play, nature, and moments to slow down.

From waterparks and wildlife to desert discoveries, the itinerary reflects exactly what today’s young travellers are looking for. And because it’s shaped by the kids themselves, it speaks their language: curious, imaginative and full of excitement. Best of all, every part of it can be experienced right here in Abu Dhabi.

With a Kids Recommended itinerary, we’re handing parents a blueprint to their kids’ ultimate dream holiday. This summer, Abu Dhabi isn’t just about what you can do. It’s about setting your own pace. Whether you’re up for non-stop adventure or slow, easy days with space to wander, everything is close and accessible.

Parents usually need to have kids choose one or two things on a given trip, but Abu Dhabi is the all-in-one family holiday that almost plans itself. It’s everything you want without the “I’m bored” or the “are we nearly there?”… it’s a family destination that gives you space to explore, relax, and spend time together, all at your own pace.

Abu Dhabi is Totally Recommended because whatever kind of holiday you’re looking for, you’ll find it. Watch the experiential film.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae

Note to Editors: 

*Methodology

Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) commissioned independent research, surveying over 7,000 parents and children across multiple markets, including the UK, US, India, China, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The research focused on families with children aged 5–12 and included both parent and child responses. Parents were asked about travel decision-making and family holiday priorities, while children shared their dream holiday experiences through engaging, age-appropriate formats such as images and swiping questions. Robust quality controls were applied throughout to ensure data reliability.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuFN_aYDwAI

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From New Friends to Big Adventures - What Kids Really Want on Their Dream Holidays

 

Kids Recommended Itinerary

 

What Kids Really Want on Their Dream Holidays

 

Experience Abu Dhabi Logo

 

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KITABOO Unveils Global Advisory Board Bringing Together Leaders from International Publishing, Education, and Technology

Senior figures behind some of the world’s most influential publishing, digital learning, and technology organizations join KITABOO to help shape the future of learning.

MUMBAI, India, June 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KITABOO and KITABOO One today announced the formation of its Global Advisory Board, assembling an extraordinary group of internationally respected leaders whose collective influence spans global publishing, digital transformation, education technology, content innovation, and enterprise growth.

KITABOO Unveils Global Advisory Board Bringing Together Leaders from International Publishing, Education, and Technology

The newly formed board brings together pioneers who have helped shape modern publishing and digital learning across multiple continents — from leading some of the world’s most influential publishing institutions to scaling transformative technology and education businesses globally.

The founding members of the KITABOO Global Advisory Board include:

Richard Charkin

One of the most influential figures in global publishing, Richard Charkin has held senior leadership positions at publishing giants including Bloomsbury, Macmillan, Oxford University Press, Reed Elsevier, and Current Science Group. A former President of both the International Publishers Association and the U.K. Publishers Association, Charkin currently serves as Chair of Thames & Hudson and advises multiple next-generation AI and publishing ventures. In 2024, he was awarded an OBE for services to publishing and literature.

David Taylor

A globally respected publishing and distribution strategist, David Taylor spent over four decades shaping the evolution of the international book trade. As Senior Vice President at Ingram Content Group, he led the global expansion strategy for Lightning Source, one of the world’s pioneering print-on-demand platforms, helping establish transformative publishing infrastructure across Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia, including a major footprint in India.

Emma House

Emma House is internationally recognized for driving innovation across publishing and creative industries. Known for helping publishers navigate digital disruption, emerging technologies, and audience transformation, she has been at the forefront of industry modernization initiatives and future-focused publishing strategy across global markets.

Vikrant Mathur

Vikrant Mathur brings extensive leadership experience in enterprise technology, strategic transformation, and scaling global businesses. His expertise spans technology-driven growth, operational excellence, and innovation-led organizational transformation across international markets.

Sesh Seshadri

Sesh Seshadri is a seasoned technology and business leader with deep expertise in enterprise systems, digital learning ecosystems, and large-scale transformation initiatives. Over the course of his career, he has advised and led organizations through critical technology modernization and innovation journeys.

Pranav Gupta

Pranav Gupta is a globally recognised publishing and education industry leader known for advancing innovation across learning ecosystems, digital publishing, copyright, and workforce transformation. As a prominent voice in the international publishing community, he has worked that spans policy advocacy, knowledge accessibility, future skills, and the modernisation of education and content ecosystems, influencing institutions, industry bodies, and learning organisations across global markets.

The formation of the Global Advisory Board marks a major strategic milestone for KITABOO as the company accelerates its mission to help publishers, educators, and enterprises navigate the rapidly evolving future of learning.

At a time when artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, accessibility, and personalized learning are fundamentally reshaping how knowledge is created and consumed, KITABOO is bringing together some of the most experienced minds in the industry to help define what comes next.

“The future of learning will belong to organizations that can successfully combine technology, pedagogy, accessibility, and scalable content innovation,” said the leadership team at KITABOO. “This board represents decades of global experience across exactly those domains. Their insights and strategic guidance will be instrumental in shaping the next phase of KITABOO’s growth and impact.”

The advisory board will help guide KITABOO’s strategic direction across:

  • AI-powered learning experiences
  • Digital publishing transformation
  • Global content accessibility
  • Interactive and immersive learning
  • Enterprise learning ecosystems
  • K12 and higher education innovation
  • Scalable content distribution infrastructure

Over the years, KITABOO has emerged as a trusted digital publishing and learning platform serving publishers, educational institutions, and enterprises worldwide. The company’s solutions power interactive content experiences across K12, higher education, professional publishing, and corporate learning ecosystems.

With the launch of this Global Advisory Board, KITABOO is reinforcing its long-term vision to become one of the defining global platforms powering the future of digital learning and knowledge delivery.

About KITABOO

KITABOO is a leading cloud-based digital publishing and learning platform that enables publishers, educational institutions, and enterprises to create, distribute, secure, and analyze interactive digital content experiences at scale. Through AI-driven capabilities, accessibility-first design, analytics, and immersive learning technologies, KITABOO powers next-generation learning experiences for organizations across the globe.

About KITABOO ONE

KITABOO ONE is a digital content distribution and access platform developed by BookIT Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd., designed to help publishers distribute, license, and monetize eBooks and digital learning content across retail, institutional, and global partner ecosystems. Built on the KITABOO digital reading infrastructure, the platform supports secure content delivery, multi-device access, flexible licensing models, branded publisher storefronts, and institutional digital library solutions for universities, libraries, corporations, and government organizations.

Media Contact

contact@kitaboo.com 

www.kitaboo.com

 

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GIGABYTE Opens COMPUTEX 2026 with ENTER INFINITY, Where AI, Gaming, and PC Innovation Unite

TAIPEI, June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GIGABYTE, the world’s leading computer brand, today officially opened COMPUTEX 2026 under the theme “ENTER INFINITY,” drawing strong visitor engagement across next-generation PC innovation, gaming, and intelligent computing showcases. Marking its 40th anniversary, GIGABYTE presents ENTER INFINITY not simply as a celebration of its history, but as a continuation of four decades of engineering innovation that shaped the evolution of performance computing.

GIGABYTE Opens COMPUTEX 2026 with ENTER INFINITY, Where AI, Gaming, and PC Innovation Unite

GIGABYTE’s premium gaming brand, AORUS, takes center stage with the INFINITY Series, a comprehensive lineup of motherboards, graphics cards, peripherals, and chassis. The lineup is led by the flagship X870E AORUS INFINITY NEXT, pushing limits further with aerospace-inspired engineering, featuring an industry-first 3D metal-printed cooling component and space-grade Quad OptiMOS power architecture built for next-generation AI and high-performance computing.

Together with AORUS GeForce RTX™ 50 Series INFINITY graphics cards, the AORUS C510 GLASS INFINITY chassis, and matching peripherals such as the AORUS K10 INFINITY gaming keyboard and AORUS M10 INFINITY gaming mouse, the series reflects GIGABYTE’s continued focus on merging engineering performance with elevated PC craftsmanship.

Beyond gaming hardware, GIGABYTE is also showcasing how AI is increasingly becoming part of everyday computing workflows through its expanding AI ecosystem. Across AI TOP, AI BOX, and exclusive AI Agent, GiMATE, on AI gaming laptops, visitors can experience how hardware and software are being optimized together to simplify local AI development, which highlights GIGABYTE’s broader vision of making AI more accessible across gaming, creation, and productivity scenarios.

The showcase further highlights how aesthetics is becoming an increasingly important part of PC builds, featuring STEALTH cableless design and the expanded AERO WOOD that brings cleaner builds and more lifestyle-oriented craftsmanship to high-performance PCs. Alongside these designs, a broader lineup of high-performance motherboards, graphics cards, and AORUS ELITE Series gaming monitors, delivering more immersive gaming and visual experiences across the show floor. Please visit ENTER INFINITY at the GIGABYTE Consumer Booth (4F, Booth No. M0520) and Enterprise Booth (1F, Booth No. K0802) during COMPUTEX 2026, and explore more at: COMPUTEX 2026: GIGABYTE & AORUS Press Kit.

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Nationwide Celebrations mark Ruskin Bond’s 92nd Birthday

GURUGRAM, India, June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On May 19, 2026, 92 bookstores across India came together to celebrate the 92nd birthday of beloved author Ruskin Bond, marking a nationwide tribute to one of India’s most cherished literary voices. The celebrations were facilitated by HarperCollins India, enabling readers across the country to participate in honouring the legendary writer and his enduring legacy. Coinciding with the celebrations was the release of How to Laugh, Ruskin Bond’s latest book published by HarperCollins India, which encourages readers of all ages to embrace humour and learn to laugh at life’s everyday moments.

Talking about the occasion Ruskin Bond said, “With every passing year, publishers don’t just release new books around my birthday but also seem to come up with new and creative ways to celebrate the occasion. This year to mark my 92nd birthday, HarperCollins organized a cake-cutting at 92 bookstores across India. That was quite a remarkable feat!”

Zuber Baig of Midland Book Shop, Hauz Khas, says, “Ruskin Bond’s stories have inspired generations of readers, and we have proudly housed his books on our shelves since 1978. It was a privilege to be among the 92 bookstores across India celebrating such a beloved literary icon. We look forward to many more books from him that will continue to delight readers for generations to come.”

Natasha Mehta, Senior Marketing Head, Sapna Book House, says, “For nearly 60 years, Sapna has watched generations grow up with Ruskin Bond in their hands and hearts. Celebrating his 92nd birthday has been deeply emotional for us – because some writers don’t just write stories, they become a part of our legacy, our childhood, and our lives forever!”

Tina Narang, Executive Publisher – HarperCollins, adds, “It has been a privilege and an honour to publish our favourite Ruskin Bond at HarperCollins and to celebrate the launch of a new book around his birthday every year. We are delighted to have marked his 92nd birthday with celebrations across 92 bookstores. We look forward to many more wonderful books and celebrations!”

Nisha Singh, General Manager – Marketing, HarperCollins, adds, “For over six decades, Ruskin Bond has remained one of India’s most beloved children’s authors, cherished across generations for his timeless storytelling. Promoting his books has always been a joy, and even as children’s publishing continues to grow rapidly, Ruskin Bond remains a name readers of all ages instantly recognise and treasure.”

About HarperCollins Publishers India

At HarperCollins Publishers India, we believe in telling the best stories and ensuring they reach the widest readership. We publish around 250 new books every year across 10 imprints, adding to a diverse catalogue of more than 3,000 titles in print and digital formats, with an array of genres and voices that ensure there is a book for every reader. Our authors have won some of the most prestigious literary awards, and we are proud to publish many acclaimed writers, alongside new and emerging voices shaping contemporary literature. We are also the publishers of The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, winner of the Booker Prize 2008, and Girl in White Cotton by Avni Doshi, shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2020, and HarperCollins India itself has been awarded “Publisher of the Year” several times. In addition, we represent some of the finest global publishers such as Harvard University Press, Lonely Planet, Oneworld, Nosy Crow, Usborne, and National Geographic Children, bringing Indian readers access to world-class books and ideas. We are also proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, a recognition of our culture, people, and values that make HarperCollins India a truly inspiring workplace.

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