Revolutionizing Group Travel: A New Era Unveiled!
Group travel has shed its negative image of large crowds and traffic congestion With the emergence of innovative companies like FTLO Travel, Sojrn, Unsettled, G Adventures, Travel Girls Getaway, Flash Pack, and Under30Experiences, the industry is experiencing a positive transformation
Group tours have long been known for their traffic-causing buses, unpleasantly loud megaphones, and packed tourist spots, leading to a less-than-ideal reputation. However, a fresh wave of travel companies is revolutionizing the idea, specifically targeting millennials and Generation Z.
Solo travelers are being encouraged to venture into remote corners of the world alongside similar-minded individuals, without the need for tour guide flags. These next-generation group trips offer a variety of experiences, such as immersing oneself in different cultures, striking a harmonious balance between work and leisure, pursuing personal passions or hobbies, or even getting involved in local community volunteering.
This airport offers the highest number of international flight connections compared to any other airport worldwide. Additionally, group tours provide a convenient solution for individuals who wish to travel "alone" as they handle all the logistical arrangements and eliminate the feeling of isolation.
Michael Youngblood, co-founder of the Unsettled travel community, states that over the last century, there has been a societal shift away from community institutions such as religious participation and workplaces. This shift towards individualism has resulted in increased levels of loneliness and disconnection. Youngblood suggests that the younger generation, who grew up in this era of individualistic experiences, are now spending more time in solitude. Consequently, more individuals are actively seeking group travel experiences as a means to foster a sense of belonging and forge connections with others.
For those yearning for more community and connection on their next getaway, weve rounded up a few of the leading small-group operators for modern travelers.
FTLO Travel
FTLO Travel, short for For the Love of Travel, offers incredible experiences such as island-hopping in Croatia, glacier scaling in Iceland, and indulgent mud baths in Colombia. This travel company, established in 2016 by Tara Cappel, a passionate advocate of slow travel and entrepreneur, aims to assist solo travelers in their 20s and 30s to discover the world and connect with like-minded adventure enthusiasts.
FTLO offers over 250 distinct trips to more than 30 destinations annually. Ranging from five to eight nights in duration, each excursion accommodates a maximum of 15 individuals. It is important to note that a significant majority of participants embark on these trips independently.
The dedicated FTLO team takes care of all aspects of the journey, including accommodation, transportation, activities, and meals. Although each trip includes scheduled activities such as a cooking lesson with a local chef or a snorkeling tour, ample unscheduled time is intentionally allotted, allowing for spontaneous exploration.
According to the company, FTLO has seen 500% growth since 2021, reflecting a growing demand for small-group travel among independent travelers in their target age group.
Sojrn
FTLO Travels' sister company, Sojrn, offers a unique approach to group travel by catering to individual interests and hobbies.
Dubbed as "adult study abroad" journeys, every educational excursion delves extensively into captivating subjects such as Barcelona's art and architecture, Tuscany's wine, or Bali's mental wellness.
The trips are designed to last either two or four weeks, allowing participants ample time to explore a brand new location and form connections with their fellow travelers through engaging activities.
During an irresistible culinary journey in Mexico City, for example, food enthusiasts can anticipate indulging in mouthwatering tacos al pastor and mole poblano, engaging in cooking sessions with skilled professionals, and embarking on guided tours of local markets.
Theyll also embark on side trips to learn more about ancient agriculture systems, indigenous ingredients and traditions.
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Unsettled
A global travel community geared towards remote workers and creative professionals, Unsettled is all about forging meaningful personal connections while embracing adventure.
The concept emerged in 2016 when Michael Youngblood, a seasoned global explorer and entrepreneur, and Jonathan Kalan, an acclaimed photographer and media entrepreneur, found that existing group travel options did not fulfill their requirements. As a result, they created a novel form of excursion that offered a more leisurely travel experience, enhanced remote work efficiency, and opportunities for cultivating new relationships.
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The duo embarked on organizing intimate group retreats with flexible plans, allowing ample space for chance encounters and those enchanting spontaneous moments that travel offers.
Their approach has garnered a varied audience - from ambitious professionals eager to connect, to imaginative individuals and independent workers in search of new inspiration.
Immediately upon embarking on her solo trip to Italy, she fortuitously crossed paths with the person who would become the love of her life.
The majority of these retreats offer a dynamic blend of remote work opportunities and exciting offline escapades. Take the Unsettled Thailand excursion as an illustration: during this seven-day journey, participants are given the chance to balance work commitments with optional explorations around Phuket, followed by an exhilarating five-day diving and snorkeling adventure on a boat.
During the Patagonia trip, participants will reside in the picturesque mountain town of Bariloche. They will engage in exhilarating activities such as rock-climbing, hiking, and kayaking amidst the expansive wilderness. Every accommodation includes comfortable lodging and a designated workspace, except for offline retreats. Additionally, guests can enjoy various social events like dinner parties, happy hours, enlightening talks, and informative workshops, fostering a strong sense of community.
G Adventures
In 1990, Bruce Poon Tip, an expert in ecotourism, introduced a groundbreaking concept: curated excursions that combine the excitement and freedom of independent exploration with the advantages and ease of guided group travel.
Maxing out two credit cards, he launched G Adventures in his Toronto garage, initially offering experiences in Ecuador and Belize. Since then, the company has expanded significantly, now providing over 750 tours across all seven continents.
Throughout the years, G Adventures has introduced a range of trip styles, including interactive treks created in collaboration with National Geographic or the Jane Goodall Institute, exhilarating active journeys, rejuvenating wellness getaways, and immersive "Local Living" homestays.
In 2021, Roamies by Hostelworld was launched as an exciting option for 18- to 35-year-olds looking for affordable group trips. These trips, ranging from five to 33 days, offer unforgettable experiences such as sandboarding in Peru's deserts, exploring hidden lagoons in Mexico by cycling through jungles, and indulging in delicious famous blue crabs at Cambodia's Kep Crab Market.
Travel Girls Getaway
Travel Girls Getaways brings intrepid women together to explore new places while picking up new skills.
Travel Girls Getaways by We Are Travel Girls
Vanessa Rivers, who grew up on the central coast of California, developed her passion for surfing, nature, and travel at a young age. Her love for these pursuits has taken her on numerous adventures across the globe. Additionally, she has successfully launched various entrepreneurial ventures, including Summerlove Swimwear, a brand that uses recycled fishing nets, and the We Are Travel Girls community, dedicated to empowering female travelers.
In 2017, she introduced Travel Girls Getaways, an initiative that unites adventurous women to discover novel destinations, acquire new abilities, immerse in local culture, and foster enduring friendships.
Presently, the company presents two travel plans, both situated in Africa: a journey to Morocco and another to Malawi. The Malawi Safari & Charity Quest unfolds over eight days and caters to small groups of 14 women, offering a meaningful expedition across the country.
The
Flash Pack
offers an exciting adventure that takes you to breathtaking tea estates in the countryside, an unforgettable two-night safari in Liwonde National Park, and a visit to the isolated Mumbo Island in Lake Malawi National Park, a distinguished UNESCO World Heritage site. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local communities, spend time at nearby schools, and actively partake in a community mentoring program designed for young women in the villages surrounding Lake Malawi.
Flash Pack provides upscale holidays for solo travelers in their 30s and 40s.
Flash Pack
As a stressed-out professional in her 30s, Radha Vyas wanted to travel more - but many of her friends were tied up with work or busy starting families.
Vyas and her husband, Lee Thompson, founded Flash Pack in 2014 to offer luxurious vacations specifically tailored to solo travelers in their 30s and 40s, avoiding the constraints of traditional group tours and the drawbacks of budget trips often associated with younger travelers.
Today, the company offers adventures to more than thirty destinations, including exciting new trips to New Zealand, Southern Chile, Belize, Bolivia, and Cambodia. Each journey is unique, but emphasizes active bonding experiences, like hiking through Petra in Jordan, descending Table Mountain in South Africa, or kayaking over waterfalls in Croatia.
From Egypt to Portugal, Turkey to Japan, our trips range from four to fifteen days and are filled with activities that would be challenging to arrange on your own. Imagine staying on a hidden island in Finland with a personal chef, or exploring the lush wetlands of Costa Rica by boat.
Vyas and Thompson have a primary goal of assisting older travelers in forming new friendships later in life, and their combination of travel, culture, and adventure has proven successful. Flash Pack claims that 98% of individuals who participate in their trips do so alone, and 80% report staying in contact with their newfound friends long after their journeys end.
Under30Experiences
Under30Experiences, founded in 2012 by Matt Wilson and Jared OToole, was born out of their personal adventures. This travel platform aims to empower individuals to explore the world on their terms, offering a safe and inclusive environment where they can navigate the intricacies of travel with confidence and without experiencing isolation or stress.
Contrary to its name, one does not need to be in their twenties to partake in any of their thirty-six journeys spanning sixteen countries. Nevertheless, the majority of travelers are typically under the age of 35. These individuals share common desires, such as seeking inexpensive escapades, adventurous explorations, genuine interactions with locals, personal development, and forging new connections.
The company offers a wide range of tours, including month-long digital nomad retreats in Costa Rica and Colombia, as well as shorter escapes in Indonesia, Guatemala, Spain, Peru, Alaska, Italy, and Ireland.
For those who prefer a more mature community, Under30Experiences also operates Over30Experiences, a sister brand that provides upscale and immersive journeys to Croatia, Morocco, and Egypt.
