Group Tour Challenges for People in Their 30s and 40s

The Most Difficult Challenges When Traveling Solo

              

You’ve hit your 30s and have finally saved up enough to be able to travel. As exciting as the feeling is, the reality of not having someone to travel with soon hits, and you’re back to square one. Even though traveling is much easier now, thanks to agencies that plan group trips, not many of them cater to those in their 30s or 40s well. Even if they do, travelers face many problems.

Many other factors also come into play when older adults are looking for an agency to travel with. Sometimes it’s hard to find an agency, and at other times, there’s confusion about traveling solo or with a group. There are also stigmas surrounding group tours that prevent people from considering them. Regardless of these factors, group tours for older adults are hard to come by. Let’s see what other problems encumber their traveling dreams.

What Problems Do People in Their 30s or 40s Face with a Travel Agency?

Difficulty to Gel In

Most agencies focus on a very restricted range of age groups. Typically, trips are planned with the 18-30 age range in mind. As many yound adults travel together, it can be hard for a person in their 30s to get along with them. People in their 40s are usually ruled out of these groups altogether.

It’s important to understand that even if a travel agency has your best interest in mind, they’re more likely to focus on clients that come in large numbers.

Many disagreements could come into play when people with a significant age gap are traveling together.

One such disagreement could be about the next planned destination. Some people may feel exhausted and may not wish to go further, but since it’s a group tour, they’re obliged to follow the rules. Such disagreements can also stir negative discourse, making your trip a less than ideal experience.

Fast-paced Itinerary

Youngsters want excitement and adventure while traveling. This is not to say that people in their 30s and 40s don’t like the same, but they prefer taking it slow and exploring places in more depth instead of rushing from one place to the next. Also, most youngsters prefer to party all night, adults like taking some time to recharge before heading out again.

It comes without saying that there are notable differences in the traveling habits of youngsters as compared to adults. Most adults wish to have a more authentic experience of a destination instead of visiting touristy sites. They may simply wish to have their cup of coffee on a bench and watch strangers pass by. Group tours for older adults could resolve this issue.

Lack of Authentic Experience of a Country

Sometimes, all sense of exploring a new place comes to a halt when you’re restricted to a few famous sites. Many people believe that a country’s authentic experience lies in its regular spots like street foods, local shopping districts, etc. Since many travel agencies restrict their itinerary to a few places, people do not find themselves fascinated by the idea of group traveling.

Lack of Flexibility

Many people believe that taking a trip with a group travel agency means a lack of control over the itinerary. Since everything is pre-planned, you cannot expect spontaneity. It’s true that not everyone likes traveling the same way, visiting the same sites, eating together, or staying together, etc.

It’s alright to have preferences, but with most agencies, it’s about squeezing in as much as possible in a short span of time. However, there are people who need flexibility with tour plans, even if they’re a part of group tours. While itineraries are a good way to provide some structure to your trip, they shouldn’t be a reason not to experience spontaneous adventures.

Travel Accommodations

The biggest problem people in their 30s and 40s face while traveling with group tours is that they have to experience uncomfortable accommodations, especially if they do not like a particular vehicle. Many people like exploring the sights in luxury.

Moreover, when it comes to hotels or any other accommodation, they’re usually less than ideal. Some agencies try putting maximum people in a single room, making it hard to get personal space.

Safety

Although group tours are generally thought to be safer as compared to traveling solo, there are still many risks associated with them. The biggest issue is getting sick due to food poisoning, insect bites, etc. However, another problem that surfaces is that in large numbers, it’s hard to keep track of everyone’s health concerns. Therefore, it’s important to consider your health before traveling in a group and registering for group travel insurance.

Why Do Travelers in Their 30s and 40s Have a Hard Time Finding an Agency?

It’s true that there aren’t many agencies provide group tours for older adults, but the perception of traveling in a group is also largely stigmatized. Some people also associate group traveling with being “unadventurous” or “over touristy.” People, especially in their 30s and 40s, have extreme beliefs about group travel. On one end, it’s slow and boring, but on the other hand, it’s all about youngsters partying their way through the trip. As of now, the perception is slowly changing as more adults are warming up to the idea of group tours. However, travel agencies must be mindful of what older adults prefer in terms of traveling solo or in a group.

Which Agencies Cater to Group Tours for People in Their 30s and 40s?

The good news is, some agencies are now focusing on creating travel plans for those in their 30s and 40s. Some of them are Flash Pack, Exodus Edits, and One World Adventures. The aforementioned companies place special importance on creating in-depth itineraries for solo as well as group traveling.

The best part about traveling with these agencies is that they make sure you come across like-minded people. They also ensure safe and sound traveling keeping in mind a flexible itinerary, less number of people, favorable accommodation, and a slow yet exciting experience.

So, do some research and book the trip you’ve been waiting to go on for years!