Choosing the Same Destination for Your Annual Trip or Trying a New Adventure
Why did you choose the destination for your last trip? Was it your favorite place you couldn’t imagine not visiting, or did decision fatigue play a role? Were you as excited to experience a new destination as a child eagerly awaiting Christmas, or did the thought of “going there again” leave you feeling stuck?
Tried and True
While traveling with a group, it may feel easier to repeat a destination. The students joining your program are already aware of the excitement that surrounds it. Parents and Administrators can plan accordingly because the path from A to B has already been established. You know what to expect while planning and traveling to your tried and true destination.
If you decide to pick one destination and stick to it, you could visit an ever-changing destination to keep it interesting. For example, a trip to Universal Studios every year may be the same on the itinerary, however with new attractions and expansions constantly being unveiled, the experience will be different every time.
If you are seeing a lack of registration because of repetitiveness, you can also choose to stick with a robust city that can provide a different experience. New York City is a great example that offers a variety of experiences, such as rotating Broadway shows and numerous museum options, which keep annual visits feeling fresh and new. You can also add excitement to a familiar destination, by visiting during a different season. A city like Boston offers unique experiences in both the fall and spring.
Maybe your attendees are concerned with the rise of costs and inflation, and make comments that the price is climbing for the same experience they had last year. Implementing a rotating trip calendar for example; a Gatlinburg trip on even years and a Washington DC trip on the odd years, allowing time to help avoid comparison.
Expanding Horizons
If stepping outside your comfort zone, and presenting your group with a new life experience sounds more like your cup of tea, how do you choose your next experience?
Start by deciding what is a priority for your group. Do you want to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime event such as a monumental anniversary like the 250th Birthday of the USA in Philadelphia in 2026, or the Tournament of Roses Parade? Or you could travel abroad and provide your group with an amazing cultural experience!
A good way to get started is to consider the rotating schedule and alternate between a “BIG” trip and a local trip. Planning a significant trip every two years will give ample time to fundraise and excitement to build. For example, if your group knows next year they are headed “across the pond” it can increase not only trip attendance, but program involvement within your community. In the years between big trips, you can organize a more localized trip and ensure a travel experience every school year.
Whether you choose to hop between cities or settle on one destination as your home away from home, you can create “Memories Worth Repeating” anywhere you go!
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AUTHOR: Kaycee Sanford – Group Travel Network, Inc.
