Group Dynamics Archives - EbonyTravelers | Tips From The Experienced Traveler

Is a group tour right for you?

by Donna Hunter, PhD | Sep 5, 2021 | 0 comments

Group tour or not?

Depending on your travel personality, tour travel can be a pleasure or a pain. Enjoyable travel takes a lot of money, planning, and for things to fall in place. Planning a trip with different sightseeing on the agenda takes a bit of experience. An organized tour will provide all the organization and prep work for you. Considering the advantages and disadvantages, is a group tour right for you? Here are a few thoughts to consider.

Tour companies take care of all the organization and prep work for visiting landmarks. They usually include the most popular destinations so that your itinerary will offer the best of your destination goals. Tour operators and guides also provide a bit of insider knowledge since they are from the area. They often share historical information not widely known that can enhance the experience.

Organized tours have designated times and schedules. This scheduling can allow you to relax and enjoy your travel without having to create your plans. However, it prevents you from vacationing on your terms and timing. To many, this can be a significant disadvantage. The specific tour guidelines and lack of control can be a turnoff for many travelers. Being stuck on a tour bus with dozens of people or a tour with a standard of service not expected can be a turnoff.

Knowing the maximum group size, age specifics, or style of tour is also essential. Smaller group tours give the advantage of a more personalized and unique experience. Age specifics allow you to be more aware of the group capacity. A young adult going on a tour for retirees is a prime example of a mismatch. Alternatively, going on an adventurous tour when you find relaxing trips more enjoyable can be a disaster.

One advantage of an organized tour is the fact that tours give an aspect of safety. Tour companies are usually risk-averse. They often choose destinations and activities that cater to the age and preferences of the tour group. If travelers are not conscious of the age and demographics of the tour group, they can find themselves in undesirable circumstances.

Finally, pricing can be an advantage or a disadvantage. Tour packages can include meals, transportation, hotels, flights, entry fees, or sightseeing. Often travelers assume that their tour packages include items that are not included or available for an additional cost. Although tour pricing can be attractive, individual research and planning could also be more advantageous. If considering a tour, do your research to determine if a tour is right for you. Consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding. Do you prefer tours or trip planning on your own? I’d like to know.

How to thrive with group travel.

by Donna Hunter, PhD | May 25, 2021 | 0 comments

I wrote an earlier blog post about choosing your travel partners wisely. Travelers may not always be able to select their travel partners with group travel. However, there are ways to ensure your journey is pleasant and that you thrive with group travel.

Recognize your individuality. No two people are alike. While there may be majority decisions or even unanimous decisions, all travelers have different needs. For some travel group members, the desire is for escape, while it might be an adventure for others. The reasons for travel are far too many, so embrace yours.

Be respectful of group members. Even though your travel needs may be different than others, respect their needs. Acknowledge their thoughts and ideas but state your own opinion. If the group plans work for you, join in, and if they don’t, politely decline.

Be mindful of the advantages as well as the disadvantages. For many, group travels can be a way to save money or provide a feeling of safety. However, it can also infringe on your privacy. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages ahead of time will prepare you for the realities of group travel.

Embrace similar interests. Most group travels begin with a goal or interest that everyone shares. Taking part in group tours or events with like-minded people can be exhilarating. Sharing an experience with friends or family is much more enriching than telling them about it.

Know your travel goal. Does the group travel involve a trip or a vacation? For many, a trip usually has a purpose, while a vacation is about the experience. If you consider the group travels a trip, you most likely will have a plan in mind. If the travel involves a vacation, usually it entails rest or relaxation. Knowing your expectations from the group travel experience allows for travel that won’t disappoint.

Have you been able to thrive in group travel experiences? How? I’d like to know.

Travel preparation

by Donna Hunter, PhD | May 19, 2021 | 0 comments

You can never be too prepared for travel. There are plenty of things to consider before you travel to make your travel experience a much more pleasant one. I discussed a few ways of travel preparation in a prior blog post. Here are a few more ideas to think about before you travel.

Cell coverage

When traveling internationally, mobile phone charges can be an unexpected expense. Remember to turn off cell service roaming before you leave the country to avoid roaming charges. If you try to do this in an international destination, you may be charged for the time trying to complete the effort. Try to arrange for a global cell service plan with your carrier before you leave the country. You can often use a phone for dollars a day rather than dollars a call if you choose an international package for the duration of your time out of the country.

Notify credit card companies

Without prior approval, using your credit card in another country can be problematic. Your card can be flagged for fraud, and you may not be able to use it. To prevent this, notify your credit card company before you travel to avoid the inconvenience and embarrassment of having your credit card declined. Additionally, getting in touch with your credit card company from another country and verifying yourself will be a hassle you can avoid.

Currency exchange

Try to have some local currency before you enter the country. Currency conversion fees can differ where you choose to convert your money. Also, converting before you leave on your trip will give you an idea of the exchange rate, so you know before you go. If you plan to take local transportation, having local currency can be helpful. Knowing and understanding foreign currency also prevents you from being taken advantage of as an unaware tourist.

ATM fees

Using an ATM in a different country can be expensive with built-in foreign conversion fees and daily changing exchange rates. Research what bank or system your bank card or credit card is affiliated with before you go so you can avoid unnecessary expenses.

Carry small currency

Having local or foreign currency in small denominations can be a lifesaver when you arrive at an international destination. Some businesses and people will prefer the US or other foreign currency rather due to instability with their currency. It is also safer to have cash in small denominations than trying to get the correct change back in your own or foreign currency.

Have you had any unexpected hiccups with forgetting to plan for international travel? I’d like to know.

Being a “different” traveler.

by Donna Hunter PhD | Mar 7, 2021 | 0 comments

As a person of color, being seen as a “different” traveler is not a novel experience. Having “locs” (or dreadlocks as they are commonly referred to) and being able to occupy spaces where people of color are not normally seen makes me appear different to many and sparks curiosity. I’ve learned to embrace being different and to see it as a positive experience. Here are five ways you can make your presence as a different traveler a more pleasurable experience.

1.Smile. Even in the face of obvious displeasure, it throws off those who tend to see you differently. It takes less energy to smile than it takes to frown and often gives you a sense of power not expected. Most people can’t help but wonder why you are smiling when they think you should not be. Positivity wins every time.

2.Embrace being the object of attention. This is yet another way to remain positive in the face of being made to feel different. Enjoy reading or listening to a book, or watching a movie, if you prefer solitude. Sooner or later, your comfortability appearance will actually become real, and you won’t even notice the looks.

3.Be open to curiosity. I have found that being open to having conversations or answering queries that respect my boundaries to be more informative than invasive. I have had many conversations about my hair and have learned to embrace curiosity to teach my culture to people.

4.Embrace being different and love the skin you’re in. No two people are the same, and everywhere you go, whether the destination is local or international, you will be different from the people surrounding you, be it in features or culture.

5.Know that just as you seek to gain new experiences and knowledge by traveling, many others are doing the same. Traveling opens us up to new worlds, and to many, we as travelers are part of their experience. An open mind is the best luggage you can carry.

Have you experienced being a “different” traveler? Has it been a positive or negative experience? I’d like to know.

Choosing Travel Partners, Group Travel

by Donna Hunter PhD | Jan 17, 2021 | 0 comments

Before Covid, there were tons of fun awesome looking pictures of group travel and I’m sure many were tempted and inspired to put a travel group together. I spoke on an earlier blog about travel compatibility. Traveling with one person who does not have the same travel personality can be a bother. Traveling with an incompatible group is much harder.
Imagine traveling with a group and the plan is to meet at 9 am. You show up at the appointed time and wait 15 minutes before the next group member shows up. By the time the entire group is ready for the planned day, it is now 10 am or later.
You start on the planned itinerary but now one or more group members has to have coffee or breakfast. The lunch plans arranged now have to be adjusted and the destination closes at a certain time.
These are only a few of the scenarios that can go wrong on a group trip so before you plan a wonderful trip with friends or family, make sure you are all somewhat compatible. Knowing if someone cannot start their day without coffee, tea or breakfast is helpful. Knowing who is or who isn’t a morning person is helpful. Knowing who has a high energy level all day and who doesn’t is important.
Group travel often takes time and coordination just to make the travel plans, not to mention the budget that everyone has to agree to. Planning a trip that everyone is looking forward to and has paid for, and subsequently going through minor frustrations every day of the trip is so disappointing.
My advice is to take all these considerations and more into account before spending your money and time on a trip you will regret. As an experienced traveler, I know personally how group travel can fall apart. Plan carefully before you consider group travel. If planned correctly it can be a most treasured experience.
Have you had a bad experience with group travel? Would you recommend it? Let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts.