It turns out that travel and tourism industry is among the largest industries in the world. In fact, this industry is responsible for more than 7.6 trillion U.S. dollars. In the United States, the travel industry generated $2.3 trillion for 2016 alone.
Because of these figures, it is safe to say that may people around the world are willing to shell out money to travel. After all, you get to experience something new in your life. Apparently, traveling can be expensive. This is why there are many who enjoy traveling with someone to divide the expenses and make travelling affordable.
Here’s the thing: travelling in groups means you get to consider each one’s interests as well. Some might like to go to a particular place while others prefer to do something else. Here’s what you can do to reconcile everyone and make the most of travelling in small groups:
Choose your companions wisely
Before you start with all the planning, it is important to choose who you will travel with. Surely, you have a lot of friends you want to go out with, but when it comes to travelling, you need someone who is easy to be with and willing to pay for the expenses. You want someone who is also fun, willing to try different things while in a different place, and not stop the group from enjoying what the new place has to offer. More importantly, your companions are someone you are comfortable with and can easily get along. Everyone has this one attitude that people will find annoying, including you, but at least it is something you – and everyone in the group – can stand.
Preparation is key
A fun and meaningful vacation starts with good preparation. To make the most out of traveling in a group, it is a must to understand both where you are going and what you will be doing as soon as you get there. Research as much as you can by finding out the must-see places, including the underrated tourist spots, where to stay and eat, and how to enjoy a particular place.
Prepare an itinerary and propose it to your group. When you do, prepare yourself for possible approval or rejection. Others might agree with your idea of an all-inclusive family-friendly resort or visiting particular places while others may not.
Establish a budget
Money is a sensitive topic, regardless of how close your relationship is with other people. If you happen to travel in a group, you need to discuss this issue with everyone, especially if you want to maximize your trip.
Establish a budget plan where everyone is agreeable to it – the room rates, how much to spend on transportation, and the budget for food. Decide on how much everyone is willing to spend for a day and agree to it. A friend might not be comfortable spending too much for a day trip to another island, so make sure you consider that.
It would also help to put up a group fund, which you will use to pay for the expenses during your trip. Everyone contributes to that fund equally and everyone will get the remaining amount equally as well at the end of the trip.
Be open to ideas and suggestions
You want to see this and that, but what about the rest of the group? If you want to make the most out of travelling, you need to hear what others think and be open to their ideas and suggestions as well. They might know something that didn’t show up during your research and who knows, this could make the trip more fun, meaningful, and memorable.
Communication is key
This is important. When you travel as a group, you need to consider not only your needs but also that of others. If you want to make the most out of your trip, you need to communicate well with everyone else.
Keep in mind that travelling with others apart from your family could create tension, especially when everyone is not agreeing. Therefore, it is imperative that you establish a clear line of communication where everyone can speak up maturely and calmly. By communicating, you would be able to easily address issues during the trip instead of not liking each other during the duration of your vacation.
Don’t forget about yourself
Travelling in a group, despite it being small, can be fun. You get to divide the expenses to make travelling affordable and at the same time, create new memories with other people.
Don’t forget that when you travel, it’s also about reconnecting with yourself and learning something new for your own growth and development. You also have your needs, so go ahead, step away from the group for a few hours, and spend time with yourself. You deserve it.
Traveling in a group can be a great way to determine not just whose friendship will last a lifetime but also a good way to get to know yourself and your limitations more. The next time you travel with a friend, take note of these tips to make the most out of it.
Leave a Reply