5 important tips to having a successful group vacation to any destination

 

Group trips are some of the most fun and exciting vacations you will ever have. Though they can be a pain to plan, the end result tends to be stronger relationships between parties and lifelong memories. Traveling as a group may seem impossible due to the lack of commitment, tension between family and friends, financial issues, and certain life circumstances. But when these trips are finally made possible, you can reconnect with those you love and build stronger relationships.

Planning can get tedious and demanding. From deciding on a destination to the activities, it will take the time and the effort of everyone participating to accomplish a group trip successfully. There are also ways to limit the amount of tension and negative energy while on vacation. Communicate and plan ahead to maximize your time together. Whether you are traveling with friends or with your family, you might want to consider these 5 tips to having a successful group vacation.

1. Start early

Begin planning as early as you can. This will help make sure everyone has sufficient funds and is well-prepared for the vacation. Put the idea in your your group’s mind as soon as you decide to travel together. This is where you decide on a specific destination and consider all expenses.

You should also determine what kind of trip you want to take during the planning process as well. This means whether you want to take a hiking trip, a camping trip, or a all-girl’s trip/getaway. Whatever the type of vacation you and your group are going on, you must plan accordingly. You want to consider the preferences of your group as well. Include everyone in the planning process to relieve some pressure and make it easier. It would be ideal to appoint a leader of some kind to help keep information on the trip organized.

2. Make it affordable

Make sure you consider  everyone’s financial situation when you plan the vacation. Try to opt for the most affordable options when it comes to accommodation and activities. It can be a task to try and find the best rates and prices for your trip, but it will benefit your group when the time comes. Your budget may not be within the comfort level of everyone, so it is important to think about the circumstances everyone is in financially.

It is popular for those in a group trip to make payment plans for their vacation gradually. Whether you have designated a leader to guide the trip or you have hired a travel agent to help you organize your trip, spacing the payments out can help to make sure everyone is comfortable on the trip.

You should create a budget to help you determine what kind of money your group will be spending while you are away. This will provide your group with sufficient time to save money and keeping your spending in check. Some people enjoy having their own individual budgets while others may opt for a group budget. Some may even opt for both for extra preparedness. It all depends on your group and the type of travelers you all are.

3. Make sure it appeals to everyone

Consider everyone’s desires and wants making decisions regarding the trip. Your group may comprise different types of travelers and you must make sure your trip appeals to everyone. While some people are introverted, others are extroverted. Some will enjoy outdoor activities while others may not enjoy the outdoors at all. It is ideal to decide on a versatile location that offers variety so everyone can enjoy the trip.

4. Opt for all-inclusive accommodations and activities

You want to make smart decisions while planning for your group vacation. It is ideal that you opt for all-inclusive activities and accommodation to make your travels simpler and more organized. Though you may split up throughout your trip, keeping everyone together when it comes to transportation and hotels will make your trip less chaotic.

Depending on the size of your group, determine what kind of transportation fits best. What way can you get to your destination for the cheapest price that fits your comfort level? Some people may not be comfortable flying on a plane but will opt for a train ride or a road trip. If you think a road trip may work for your group, think about renting a minibus to travel comfortably. If you do want to fly or are required to, it is ideal to book flights in small groups.

When it comes to accommodations, group trips usually work best when everyone has a central place to return to. Some may want to book hotel rooms for the stay but you can also rent a house for the duration of your trip. This will make it more affordable and organized for your group. You can even spend leisure time with each other to make valuable memories.

5. Communicate to limit confusion and chaos

Clear and consistent communication is crucial to help create a smooth sailing vacation with your family or friends. Communication is important in any kind of planning and event, especially when you are dealing with multiple people. You should have a plan set in place for frequent communication. You can do this by designating a time and place to meet if needed or set up a group chat to send messages to everyone involved. This can make communication easy and help to keep your vacation chaos-free. There are even travel apps created specifically to make group travel less stressful.

A few of these apps include:

● Kayak Trip Huddle
● Roadtrippers
● Tab
● Spilltr
● Prava
● Travefy
● And more

It is also important that you are clear when you are communicating with your group. You want to consider everyone’s opinion and thoughts and make sure everyone is comfortable expressing them.

6. Have a central place for organisation

It will be useful to have a designated person to be the leader and take control of the trip  logistics. It is important that you have a central depository for information and details about your daily activities. This can be a specific notebook or a central bag that everyone can use to put their important belongings. The leader of the group will usually carry this bag, but you can appoint anyone to keep the bag secure.

Hope you found this post on tips to having a successful group vacation useful!

*This is a contributed post.