5 top tips for large group travel – before you book
Here at Hirasté, we think that travelling as part of a large group can be one of the most rewarding ways to travel. Whether you know the people well, or are there to make new friends, it’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with people through the medium of embracing new opportunities. It’s not all fun and games, however! Before you book is probably the most important preparation you can do for your group trip – before you’ve even decided where to go! Making sure you are all in alignment with each other is critical to the ultimate success of the trip.
1. Establish the main goals of everyone in the group
Really understanding what the main goals are for everyone in the group is a really important first step. That’s not to say those goals all have to be identical – far from it. Half the group might want to lie on a beach while the other half want to take tours of the old town. That’s all fine (of course it’s less so if some people want to ski instead of sitting on the sand!) but understanding what is important to each person is critical in this planning stage. If people are getting too demanding or can’t think of what they want, try asking them to name one thing that they must have for the holiday. Let it be anything from not cooking to taking a hot air balloon ride, and see what you all come back with.
2. Set a budget
Budgets can vary widely for different people. Jobs, salaries, age, family sizes, and other circumstances can all contribute to how much or how little each member is able (and, critically, willing) to spend. Make sure all the budget ranges are listened to and respected. It can be hard if a few people want to stay in five-star luxury while the rest are happier camping to keep costs down. While a general rule of thumb is to work to the lowest budget (no-one wants to bankrupt themselves for a holiday), try to find areas where a compromise can be reached. This might range from splashing out on a fancy meal all the way to agreeing not everyone needs to stay in the same place but can come together for activities.
3. Brainstorm destination ideas
There are lots of factors that go into deciding exactly where you will spend your next group holiday. You might al be coming in from different places, in which case somewhere central might be the most appropriate. Weather, seasons, available attractions and activities, accessibility, and languages spoken all contribute to destination decisions. Budget can also play a factor here. Some places are cheap to get to but expensive to be in. Make sure you consider as many factors as possible and try to get everyone to submit one idea or preference so you can see where the group is leaning towards.
4. Agree on the accommodation type
Knowing what sort of place your group wants to stay in is another huge consideration to factor in. Often, you’re lucky and either everyone is happy to go with the flow (although that is often hard for the one person who has to make the final decision!) or everyone is in alignment with what the rest of the group wants. It’s usually easier when the group has something in common – groups of families travelling together are more likely to gravitate towards a place with lots of activities for kids, a school reunion of ten ladies might prefer a place with great nightlife or a spa, and a group on a limited budget is probably going to agree on a self-catering home rental. Where difficulties can arise is in situations such as where the demographics are widely different or if there is a wide range of disposable income. Very little is insurmountable but it’s important to clear such obstacles before you book anything.
5. Be willing to compromise
The most important thing to go in to any group trip with, is a willingness to compromise. That’s not to say you’ll have to negotiate on every point (and nor should you – that probably indicates that other things are out of kilter), but it does probably mean you won’t get exactly what you want on every aspect of the trip. Remember why you’re travelling with this group in the first place and take that as your inspiration for what you might be able to just let go.
So, there you have it: our top 5 things to consider before even booking a group trip. We know that preparing properly is a great way to ensure the success of your holiday.
If you’re in the market for a group holiday somewhere in the UK, check out all our awesome properties listed on this site. They’ve all been hand-picked and vetted by the Hirasté team to make sure they will fit your exact criteria. You can search by destination or by trip type. We’ve got collections covering everything from spa trips to farms stays and everything in between. Have you got specific sleeping arrangements? Maybe you want one big house or maybe you’re a group of families all wanting their own space? Or maybe you’re super flexible! Whatever you need, our unique search function lets you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Be sure to check out the rest of our top tips for a successful group trip:
Top 5 things to consider when booking a group trip
Top 5 things to consider before travelling as a group
Top 5 things to consider when on a group trip
Top 5 things to consider when you get home from a group trip