Group Travel 101 – “Will I Fit In?”

Avid Traveller | Lindsay | Aug 4, 2011

In addition to creating custom small group experiences, the Novack’s Avid Traveller program is committed to educating travellers about all things pertaining to group travel. That is why we are happy to announce our Group Travel 101 series. With topics ranging from “restaurants” to “group dynamics”, we are excited to share our expertise with everyone in the hopes of creating savvy customers.

Know What to Ask

With so many choices available, sometimes it is difficult to discern which tour is right for you and it is important that you know what to ask of a company before handing over your hard earned money – and time, which is currently “nonrefundable” (at least until the time machine is invented). By asking the right questions, one can find a tour perfectly suited for every taste. We know our tours are not a perfect fit for everyone, and that is OK. Will most other tour companies admit that? Probably not. We are in the business of creating magical travel memories (with a dash of laughter and excitement) with leaders who take joy and pride in providing these moments.
Anything we can do to help clients navigate through all the tour company jargon, is our pleasure. So without further ado:

Instalment 1 – “Will I Fit In?”

This is probably the number one anxiety-provoking aspect of group travel. It is human nature to worry about group dynamics – Will I fit in? Will the others accept me? Will there be cliques?
Some tours are special interest tours (ex. Artist’s in Italy), and this is one way to find others with the same interests. However, not all tours are designed with one focus in particular.
There are a number of questions you can ask a tour company and yourself which will give you a good sense about the type of personalities you are travelling with and help you choose a tour with like-minded people.

What is the average AGE of the participants?

“Seniors” tours differ greatly from youth oriented “Contiki-type” tours for a reason as priorities tend to change within different age groups. Follow-Up question: Are there families with children on the tour?

Do you mind travelling with a CO-ED group?

There are numerous options available for Women’s Only/Men’s Only. Furthermore, sometimes single men and women like to know how many couples are expected. Conversely, married couples might like to know how many singles there are on a tour – as one….or both might have a problem with this

What is the level of COMFORT on the tour?

These questions involve the quality of accommodations, transportation and meals. Are you expected to carry your own luggage? Do you have to set up your own tent? There are certain personality types who gravitate towards luxury tours and those who choose budget tours and it is much easier to travel as a group when everyone has the same expectations. Does the company offer variety? In our case, we offer a wide array including luxury tours, 3 star vacations and camping while never sacrificing quality or experience.

Who is my LEADER?

With the big tour companies you will never have an opportunity to meet your tour leader before departure. With more intimate operations, such as Novack’s Avid Traveller, you have the ability to talk with the tour escort, who can provide valuable insight into what type of clients they tend to attract. People are drawn to those who they can relate to and trust. Does the leader have a confident yet quiet demeanour or are they bold and extroverted? What is their sense of humour? WHAT IS THEIR PHILOSOPHY – on both travel and life? And does it fit with yours?

What is the LEVEL OF ACTIVITY?

If you are an adrenaline seeker, is a wine tour in South America going to rock your boat? Probably not. Zip lining, surfing, rock climbing and para-gliding in South America? Now we are talking! This may seem an obvious example, but there are subtle differences in tour activity which can help define the target client. For example, is it a “walking” or “hiking” tour? On cycling tours – is there a support van? How many miles a day? Is the tour “Soft” adventure or “Hard” adventure? People with similar levels of fitness travel best together and it is important to acknowledge your fitness level before signing up for any active tours.

Can you refer me to PREVIOUS CLIENTS?

This is a terrific question to ask a tour company. Not only can you find out what type of people gravitated towards this type of tour previously, you can also hear details of the tour not always included on the advertising. Make sure that the company provides you with contact information as opposed to written testimonials.

Lastly, the most important aspect of “fitting in” is remembering that while travelling with a group it is important to be considerate towards the other guests. Having an upbeat, positive attitude and being open to making new friends will enhance any tour you choose.

As we go forward, please feel free to let me know if there are any questions about group travel that you want answered! And as always we love to hear your tales of travelling in our comments section!

LJ