Back in 2011, I travelled to Mombasa to reward myself after I achieved a certain milestone that kept me on my toes for years. I would have loved to travel to the famous Maldives but my pockets could only take me as far as Mombasa. I had heard tales of the white sand beaches, Fort Jesus and the sharks that follow the ferry. I particularly wanted to board the ferry. I took the trip down to the coast armed with a camera, perfect sunglasses and a book to read just in case Mombasa disappointed halfway through my stay. I planned on staying there for a week but only ended up spending four days. I had fun but not enough to make me long to go back there again. The thing is, I travelled alone.
During the day it would be fun as I strolled on the streets and along the beach in my shorts but nights would be somewhat boring as I would end up in my hotel room tired and without the energy to go out to party. The cost of everything on sale also seemed to have been inflated. The experience was completely different as I travelled back there with a group of friends. Some of the advantages I got travelling as part of a group:
Maximum time to socialize and network
One does not experience boredom if they travel as part of a group. There is a certain uneasiness that faces individual travellers when they are unable to have fun on their own. Being in a group, one can scream their lungs out and pretend it’s nothing serious. You also gain confidence to approach someone that you desire to network with when you’re accompanied by a member of your group. As a group, you’re able to play games together, take pictures and have long conversations. You get time to bond and this experience becomes hard to forget
Safety
It is obvious that if you’re in a group, you’re a lot safer as compared to being alone. When on a road trip and unfortunately the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you’re able to fix it without fear. You can also party till late in the night and walk to your hotel rooms as a group. Groups could also have a member who speaks the language of the natives and this would minimize hostility that would arise as a result of the language barrier.
Cutting on cost
People contribute money for accommodation and fare which is then pooled together and used as a bargaining tool. Travelling as a group offers the opportunity to reap benefits such as discounted prices of food and hotel accommodation that would be expensive if done as an individual. Some hotels actually prefer groups as bookings are done in large numbers. These hotels subsidize their rates to attract more customers which favours groups.
Planning is made possible
People from the group come up with diverse ideas on the different places to visit and roles are shared where every member is assigned a duty that will benefit the group’s trip. Some are asked to contact the hotels and bargain on their behalf, others are asked to inform the members of the general preparations they need to make prior to travelling. This makes it less hectic to plan.
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