As students or professionals, we all have at some point made plans to go to Goa with our friends, only to see those trips get cancelled at the last moment.
We think of group trips as a lifetime opportunity to explore the world with our loved ones, but in actuality, it usually involves fighting over itinerary, hotels and destinations to visit.
Luckily there are ways to avoid these situations and ensure that your trip results in a photo album full of incredible memories.
Whether you’re planning a big family reunion, a bachelor party, or a getaway with friends, here are a few pointers to keep in mind while planning a group trip.
1.Appoint A Group Leader
Appointing a leader for your travel group should be the first task, whether that person is you or anyone else with great leadership skills!
But remember, the leader doesn’t only have to plan the trip. They have to be the first point of contact, make sure that everybody’s travel documents are safe and keep the plan in sync.
For instance, if your group is travelling abroad, the leader has to make sure that everyone’s passport is up to date and valid.
2.Agree On A Budget
Staying in a five-star resort or hotel might sound luxurious, but it might not be feasible or logical for all those traveling with you.
As a group, you should agree on a budget for your trip and stick to it, so that there are no surprises for anyone when it’s time to pay!
Consider having a shared pool of money only for group activities and necessary expenses such as accommodation. It’ll be easier than constantly working out how to split bills on the road.
3.Book Your Tickets Early!
Whether your group is flying or taking a cruise to the destination, booking tickets should be high up on the priority list.
It’s a way to confirm who all are coming for the trip, plus it gives you a start and end date so you can effectively fill out the rest of the itinerary.
Make sure you do your bookings, months in advance. Tickets will be cheaper and there will be seats available for everyone on your group.
4.Consider Renting A House
Renting a house can help you avoid stress and save money!
Having a house means a more sociable environment. It will give you the chance to cook group meals and hang out together without cramming into one small hotel room!
Sites like Airbnb make it very easy to find homes to rent anywhere in the world.
5.Pre Plan Group Activities
Take a look at the top things to do at your destination and consider pre-planning some activities, especially if you’re a large group.
If there are any tours you want to do, you may be able to get a group discount. At many places, group activities have to be booked in advance if you have more than a certain number of people, so keep that in mind.
Don’t be too ambitious and try not to plan every second of your trip.
6.Keep Time For Personal Activities.
While planning your group itinerary, make sure that there is time for resting during the day.
Most people in the group will appreciate the chance to do their own thing, whether it’s lazing around in bed, reading by the pool, or going on a solo trek.
Don’t be afraid to go off on your own during a group trip. If there’s something you really want to do, go ahead. It’s your vacation too, so go home with no regrets!
7.Focus On The Details
From gathering everyone at a common point before you depart to reaching your hotel/guest house from the airport, have everything written down to the smallest detail.
For instance, consider which mode of transport you will use during the trip, how much will it cost, will it fit your budget etc.
There’s a lot of logistical planning involved on group trips, so make sure you get all those details right.
8. Communication Is The Key
There will be instances during your trip where your group may get divided, so make sure you have a way to communicate with each other.
In today’s tech-savvy world establishing a common source of communication is not very difficult!
You can start by creating a “WhatsApp” group and as time passes by, you all can share the hotel or house information, itineraries, grocery lists, phone numbers, etc. on a Google doc.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Ask your group members to make a personal itinerary for the trip and share it with everyone. This will help keep everyone in the loop.
9.Have An Alternate Plan
If one plan doesn’t pan out, don’t let it waste your day.
Always have a backup destination in mind that is similar or close to the original plan.
And we aren’t just talking about group plans. You will need to be flexible with your personal itinerary as well.
10.Hire A Travel Agent
If everything fails and your group is not able to figure out the logistics of the trip, ask a travel agent for their help.
They are professionals in planning group trips and can make your work much easier.
You’ll have to pay for the agent’s services, but they can often save you a lot of money by getting you good deals.
If you’re travelling by air with your group, simply download the AirWhizz App to plan your trip on the move. Get all the information related to your airline and airport along with real-time flight updates at your fingertips & Fly Stress-Free!
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