Summer break is around the corner and most people have already begun chalking out their vacations. While planning a trip can be an exciting task, its certainly no cinch. The increasingly busy lives of people push even the most seasoned travelers to rely on travel experts for designing a comprehensive itinerary, especially when traveling with family.
Holiday packages embody various aspects of travel such as transportation, food, accommodation, experiences, and popular tourist attractions. But of late, the travel industry has witnessed a slump in the number of people opting for a holiday package possibly due to the herd-like treatment given to tourists by the traditional agencies. Tour packages paint a stereotypical picture of people in large groups dressed in floral attires, seated in open-top buses, playing touch-and-go with the scores of tourist spots crammed into the itinerary.
Today, you can get a holiday package tailored as per your taste and needs without having to adhere to a rigid schedule. These packages are cost-effective, time-saving, and grease the wheels for a hassle-free journey. Here’s what you must keep in mind before to choose the perfect package vacation:
- Time, interests, lifestyle – The amount of time you have on your hands, the activities you’d like to engage in, your preferred pace, the type of meal you like, are all important factors that must coincide with the package you choose or the destination you pick. For instance, if you’re an adventure-seeker, you may want to avoid a package that primarily focuses on relaxation, or if you’re a vegetarian, you must ensure that your package includes vegetarian meals. Conversely, if you’re someone who loves exploring local cuisines, you should exclude the meal-component in your package wherever possible. Furthermore, if you’re short on time, get a package with only the best experiences and avoid squeezing in too much; it can make or break your trip.
- Willingness to disburse – The market segmentation in the hospitality sector is typically classified into – economy, mid-range, and luxury. Your budget is probably the biggest deciding factor of the level of luxury you can indulge in on your holiday. If you’re on a tight budget, make sure that the package includes stay or travel arrangements that don’t burn a hole in your pocket. For example: a five-star accommodation may be awesome but it’ll curb you from enjoying other elements such as adventure sports or fancy dine-outs. Similarly, a seaplane ride from the airport to your resort is great but is it necessary when you intend to spend frugally? Nowadays, there are a slew of packages that offer great value for money without having to sacrifice on experience.
- Who’s traveling – Do you have kids accompanying you? Are you taking your better half on a honeymoon? Are you looking to travel solo? Or are you traveling with a huge group of friends? The type of travel group greatly determines the type of holiday package you choose. If you plan to travel by yourself, its not necessary to stay in the most opulent hotels on your trip whereas if you’re traveling with your family, a little indulgence always helps. Also, if you have elderly people traveling with you, make sure that the package includes activities that they can comfortably participate in.
- Pore over the fine print – Most of us ignore this but actually, this is a very crucial element for when something goes wrong. Check for things like refund policies in case of cancellations from the operator’s side. Its possible that part of your itinerary may be scrapped in case of bad weather or civil unrest in a particular destination.