Compromising is key, when you travel with a pal
With the arrival of warmer days, more consumers are starting to contemplate and plan their summer getaways. Whether you are planning a staycation or an adventure overseas there are a few steps you can take to manage your expectations to avoid disappointment on your travels. Managing expectations starts at the planning stage and should include not only your destination and what activities you plan to do, but who you plan on travelling with. I recently travelled with a very good friend of mine for the first time and returned from our vacation full of disappointments. The trip did not meet our expectations at all. By the end of the trip, not only did we need another vacation to get over the one we just had, we also needed a mini-vacation from each other to get over it. How can I avoid this in future?
I’m sure if you asked them, most travellers will have a story or two about travelling with friends, family and even with their spouses. Unfortunately this is one of the most common causes of complaint and loss of enjoyment and one that can be avoided or lessened if a few considerations are made during the planning process.
Expectations can be very subjective, but one of the keys to having an enjoyable holiday is to start out with reasonable expectations; what kind of holiday do you want and how much money do you want to spend?
Are you interested in sightseeing, shopping and nightlife or are you looking for a great beach and a quiet, relaxing getaway? Whatever your perfect holiday is for you, make sure you share your ideas and discuss what your objectives are with the person you will be travelling with before you book your holiday.
Consider that if your expectation for that perfect getaway includes exploring every historical attraction and shopping, while your travelling companion is dreaming of relaxing poolside all day with a good book while drinking margaritas; you may find yourselves at odds early on into your trip.
Discussing these types of issues during the planning process can avoid disappointment and upset.
Once you have decided on a destination and the type of vacation you are looking for, do some research. Ask your friends about possible vacation spots and whether they were satisfied with all the aspects of their trip. Although first-hand references are hard to beat, remember, you are hearing an opinion based on other people’s likes, dislikes and standards. Their idea of a good time could be quite different from yours, so you should keep this in mind when you are asking questions. The Internet is a great resource, but so is your local travel agency.
To manage your expectations further and make an informed decision, be sure to understand the standard of living in the country you wish to travel to before making your booking.
Consider that different living standards and practices may exist outside Canada, including the provision of utilities, such as water and electricity, accommodations, services and food (food preparation and water quality may differ, too).
The best vacation is a well-prepared-and-planned vacation in which everyone’s idea of their perfect getaway has been considered during the planning and booking process. A compromise is always a good solution and should include a plan of how you wish to spend your time together, so that everyone gets a little of what they are looking for while they are away. Dorian Werda is director of customer service and stakeholder relations for the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), a non-profit corporation that regulates 2,500 travel retailers and wholesalers registered in Ontario. Werda will answer readers’ travel questions sent to travel@thestar.ca The volume of correspondence means that not all questions can be answered.