Group tours are not what they used to be. With thousands of itineraries out there, travelers already have a lot of choice when it comes to finding the one that fits their specific interests and travel style. But by customizing a group trip, you can take that personalization up another level.
A custom group trip allows you to get all the benefits of a small group trip – the highly curated and unique itineraries, the personalized attention from a dedicated guide, and someone to handle all logistics for you – while also giving you the freedom to add specific activities that suit the interests of your group, adjust the number of days in each location, and choose the departure date that works best for you.
Who is a custom group trip good for?
Custom group trips are great for almost any group of people who want to travel together. People who have a strong shared interest – like members of a hiking group or wildlife club – can tailor an itinerary to include more of the activities they enjoy. It’s also great for friends who want to travel together and let someone else manage the details of getting from place to place. Other groups – like universities or student clubs – can incorporate additional learning opportunities, such as talks from local wildlife experts or nonprofits working in the region. Nonprofit organizations can support their philanthropy goals through dedicated donor travel, customized to highlight their work and ongoing funding needs.
Hiking / Fitness / Outdoors Groups
Groups who already spend time together in nature are a perfect fit for a group trip. There are so many incredible hiking and biking itineraries out there to choose from, you may not even need to do much customization. You can book a private departure, meaning no outside guests will join your group, and choose a date that works best for you. Go at a pace that fits your group’s fitness level, have road support available for bike trips, and let someone else worry about the logistics of moving gear around.
Vegan Groups
Whether you want a food-centric itinerary or just want to be able to enjoy delicious plant-based meals during your holiday, vegan group travel is a great option. It allows you to travel with likeminded people without having to worry about uncomfortable dining or tour experiences that violate your ethics. Spend your days on safari without worrying about what dinner will look like, or explore the markets of Vietnam knowing that you won’t be led into the meat and fish sections at the next turn.
Fun Friends
Traveling with friends is a wonderful bonding experience and can be so much fun, but the logistics can be overwhelming. Someone has to be the one “in charge,” making sure everyone is ready to go at a certain time, finding the train station and getting everyone there on time, and figuring out how to split the bill at dinner. That’s too much work for a holiday! When you travel on a private group trip, you’ll have someone to handle all those details for you so everyone on the trip can fully enjoy the experience. Tailor the itinerary to your group’s preferences and build in something unique for any special occasions you may be celebrating.
University Clubs
Organizations centered around shared interests are great candidates for a customized group trip. Whether you just want to take a trip as a group to increase your connection, or you’d like to build in some additional educational components, a custom trip offers something that meets your exact needs. You can choose departure dates that work with your school schedule, add specific stops that are of interest to your members, and incorporate talks from local experts in your destination.
University Courses
For university professors, a custom trip is a great way to lay the foundation for an immersive summer- or winter-break study abroad course. Choose from existing itinerary components that support your subject matter, leaving time for presentations from local experts, site visits for experiential learning, and classroom space to host additional lessons and conversations.
Donor Trips
For nonprofit organizations aiming to expand their fundraising horizons and deepen relationships with existing donors, a dedicated donor trip is a great option. Invite your top donors to travel with members of your development staff and senior leadership to the field sites where your work is being carried out. This not only provides an extended amount of time to build your personal relationships, but also gives donors the opportunity to see the impact of their giving first-hand, deepening their commitment to your work. They can meet the folks working on the ground, visit field sites not usually available to the public, see the challenges you are working together to overcome, and learn more about the progress you are making. A highly curated itinerary will give your organization the opportunity to highlight both your successes and ongoing funding needs. These types of trips have been shown to be highly beneficial in increasing both the lifetime value and retention rates of donors who participate.
Customizing your group trip offers a world of benefits, from tailored experiences to enhanced bonding and flexibility. By using big picture itineraries as a framework, you can create a travel experience that is uniquely yours.
Whether you already have a group ready to travel or you have an idea for a custom itinerary that you’d like to create, we’d love to help you plan the perfect trip. Book a free 15-minute consultation so we can get to know each other. Then sit back and relax as we craft the perfect trip for your unique needs.
Comments