Sarah Meikle was never that excited about group travel, until she began leading small luxury tours into India. The former director of Visa Wellington On a Plate now runs All India Permit Tours – and she’s seen it all, from those who are late to the lobby to those who are plain rude to the locals. Here, she shares her secrets for great group travel.
“I’m not a group traveller” is something I’ve heard many, many times, and I’ll let you in on a secret. I’m not a group traveller either. The image of hordes of Bermuda-short, bum bag wearing retirees trailing behind a tour guide carrying a flag pole for visibility springs almost immediately to mind. Deeply uncool.
But, travelling in a small-group has a heap of advantages, and having hosted many curious travellers who are keen to get off the beaten track, experience the life of locals and see a few things that most regular independently-planned visits won’t afford, I’m totally sold.
There is also, of course, the benefit of having someone to help if the worst happens and you get sick. The trots, the squits, Delhi belly, whatever you call it – it can ruin your day, and the day of everyone around you! As a tour leader in India, I tote around the most incredible first aid kit; I’m a veritable walking and talking pharmacy, with the very best medical centres on speed dial. I’d say I’m over-prepared for every health circumstance and embarrassing gut moment.
Or, you might leave your passport in the hotel room safe (it happens), or your phone in a tuk-tuk. While I’m probably not going to be able to retrieve the phone on your behalf, it’s always good to be with someone who can navigate the local mobile stores and find you a quick replacement.
The truth is, group travel is having a moment. It’s no longer that thing you do to tick off as many places as possible within a tiny, possibly tequila-fuelled timeframe. It’s what you choose when you’re looking for a considered itinerary containing the kind of insider-only experiences a glossy brochure won’t provide.
But what about spending a couple of weeks in close quarters with strangers?
With any group of travellers, no matter how delightful they are, there are different personalities, beliefs, backgrounds and behaviours. So I’ve put together a cheat sheet on how to ensure you’re the veritable Mary Poppins of the tour group, thereby winning friends, influencing people and protecting the mental health of your cohort (and group leader).
Be on time
It’s the simplest but possibly most important rule. People who are late to the lobby call – particularly if it happens day after day – might begin to find that they are not well-liked within their tour group. Particularly on the morning you’re off to the Taj Mahal.
Maintain an open mind
You will see and experience things that you simply never expected. Go with the flow – what may take you two hours to drive at home, could take you five in India. Or if that’s not in your personality, make sure you have a stash of rescue remedy on hand (you can ask me! It’s in my kit!). Sometimes stuff happens that’s not on the itinerary and this is often where the true magic of travel begins.
Be honest
If you have any sort of issue – mobility, mental health, dietary, even phobia – that might need your tour leader’s help, let them know early. We can accommodate almost anything, so long as we have knowledge of it.
Respect local customs and culture
In India, English is widely spoken but in other countries, it’s rare to ever hear it. It’s not ok to demand someone speak the language you were born with – maybe try to learn a little of theirs before you go. In your tour group, you’ll also be given all the advice you need on what to wear, how to behave, and basic social etiquette. Please follow it.
Make a friend
Although everyone joins a group tour with different expectations, the common thread is that you’re all there to have a good time. If you get to know one another and enjoy each other’s company in the moment, you may make a lifelong friend. All India Permit Tours actually ‘matchmakes’ solo travellers (with their permission of course) with a buddy who shares an interest, life stage or passion so that they can reduce accommodation costs by sharing – this has led to deep friendships, which are a joy for me to observe!
Take time out
It’s a holiday, not a school trip – if you don’t want to do something it’s totally your call. Just tell your tour leader and they’ll arrange to connect with you later in the day or evening. We all need a few hours to ourselves sometimes to scroll socials or soak in a bath.
I have a great network of other tour leaders and we often connect and swap war stories. Through them, I’ve heard of travellers who have tried their very best, consciously or sub-consciously, to ruin the group travel experience for those around them. A bad attitude, blatant rudeness, a superiority complex – none of this belongs on a small group tour. And word gets around.
My advice? Be the person you’d love to travel with again. Be the small group adventurer I’d love to welcome back again too! Then, and I can almost guarantee this, everything else will just fall into place.
