Traveling with family, friends and even strangers can be a lot of fun. You don’t only get to acquaint yourself with the sights and sounds of a new place, but you’re also opening yourself to the opportunity of meeting new people. Group travel doubles the experience of an enjoyable trip.
Organizing a trip other than for yourself can be quite daunting, particularly if you’re looking at big numbers. You would want to make the experience a good one for everybody and one that will entail a smooth, stress-free and peaceful adventure. If you assume the role as the trip organizer, whether by choice or not, you can easily look at the following to make your role as sweet as a pie.
Being a tourist guide of a group travel is no easy task as you need to have sound knowledge of the city. Even travelers need to know where they are headed to, especially when elders are onboard and they have to be given the utmost care. Luckily, there is a [google_bot_show][/google_bot_show]senior day trips these trips are planned for older adults that they can utilize to the hilt.
One important thought to bear in mind is that you don’t have to carry the entire burden. It sounds cool and heroic but there’s a big risk of not getting everything ready or right. Sure, be the brains and the creative force behind the planning. However, delegating tasks is a reasonable solution to do. You can commission professional help from a travel agency. Agents are trained to handle even big groups and offer suggestions for suitable activities and to present a number of options for their clients. You can be assured that you’re on the right track, and that logistics-wise, you are doing all the right things.
Another alternative for organizing is dividing the workload with friends or family members. As the assigned organizer, it is your responsibility to allocate tasks. Don’t wait for others to volunteer or to take the initiative to do something. It might never happen. By delegating what to do, who will or can do it, and setting a timeframe, you will be able to accomplish the work in a speedier time. Know the responsibilities that will match a person. If your sister is great with research, ask her to scout for the cheapest accommodation and airfare. If you have a culture-vulture for a cousin, assign her to take care of the interesting sights to see for your itinerary. Do you have a friend who loves foods? Then let him be in-charge of places to eat. Same goes for those who are into road trips for taking care of the transportation options and routes, sports enthusiasts for activities to try, and entertainment fanatics for possible shows to see. By planning together, your fun already starts even before you’ve left for your trip. Just remember that as a team leader, you are expected to coordinate, monitor and manage everything. Ascertain that all is on time and all the necessary information for your travel are completed.
If you avail of the services of a travel agency, be keen on the contract and the itinerary they give you. Make sure that all your questions are answered and requests are met, particularly if they are reasonable. Don’t be too lax even if a professional is doing most of the arrangements. You should be aware of what are confirmed and in place, and those that still need follow-up actions. Work together with your travel agent.
For your group travel, have someone be in charge of the room assignments, restaurant reservations, purchasing of tickets or passes, and a “time person” who will be responsible for gathering the group together at a certain time. These people should be responsible to look after your group. Having assigned people for certain tasks while on your trip will make everything more organized. No wasted time pin-pointing who will call the restaurant or who will get the bus tickets.
If your group is larger than the usual number, it is expected that clicks will be formed. It is recommended to have a point person in each group who will look out after the other members and who will be in main contact with you.
It is only in the mind that turmoil materialize. In actuality, group tours are chaotically fun!
