Preparing for a group trip

Phil Clark co-owns Mad About Travel – specialists in mountain, adventure and dive holidays. He shares his advice for booking a successful group trip.

People are social animals and love doing stuff together, especially travel. The great thing about travelling as a group is that there is always someone to do stuff with, no matter if you just want to get a coffee (or a beer) or if you want to nail the steepest, gnarliest black run on the mountain.

Destination

Choose a destination based on the activities it offers. Consider logistics – how to get the group there – and ensure the location provides a variety of activities to cater to everyone’s interests.

Accommodation

This needs to align with the group’s dynamics. If you’re a big family and you want to stay together, a big house with multiple rooms and living areas is ideal. If you’re combining several families in a group, then a resort with different room types works best.

Budgeting

Confirm who is going on the trip, Often we can add in extra people later and often this can make the trip slightly cheaper, but if you’re taking people out of the trip, it will generally make it more expensive for those who are left. Agree on a budget covering accommodation, transportation, meals and activities to set clear expectations.

Travel insurance

This is non-negotiable for groups, especially for cancellation coverage, as one member’s inability to travel shouldn’t jeopardise the entire group’s arrangements. Whether it’s a family ski trip to JAPOW, a diving adventure in Tonga with mates, or a mountainbiking expedition to Whistler, travelling with your group creates unforgettable memories. So plan ahead, communicate clearly and have the adventure of a lifetime.