Group Travel Scoop - Groople.com

Group Travel Tip - Communicate With Your Group About Options Before You Book

One of the best ways to ensure a great group travel experience is for the group coordinator to talk to the group about options well in advance of the trip. Of course, as the coordinator you will communicate with everyone involved, but here are a few specific suggestions of what you can communicate with your group about.

Hotel Options - You may think that everyone will be happy with your hotel selection. You know you need 50 rooms for two nights, and now you are ready to go out and get it done. Well, with Groople.com's communication tools, you can do the preliminary research for your destination and identify the hotels that you think are best for your trip. Our hotel search results are specific to the event or group type you specify, so we help you in that arena as well. Once you identify a set of your favorites, you can save those selections and invite your fellow travelers to vote for their favorite choice. If you communicate with your group about their options ahead of time, two things will happen. First, your fellow travelers will be much more excited about the trip and engaged in the planning. Second, you will ensure that everyobody has input and is satisfied with the final accommodations. As the group coordinator, you still have the final authority to book the best hotel choice based on your knowledge and your group's input.

Activities - Talk to your group about activity options. Few travelers want to be presented with a list from dawn until dusk of what they have scheduled on their trip. Make some executive decisions around big activities, such as banquets, tours, and gatherings, but be sure to leave free time for people to explore on their own. Communicate with your groupabout your destination, and ask group members to provide suggested activities. Then you can present a nice balance of scheduled activities along with suggested activities contributed by your fellow travelers.

If you communicate with your group about your upcoming group trip, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how great the experience is for everyone. More people will thank you for your planning and organization efforts. They won't even realize how much they helped you along the way. When you talk to your group about an upcoming event or gathering, you will still get the credit for making it a huge success.

Patrick Soch, Senior Marketing Manager

patricksoch@groople.com

Remember, if you want to contribute to the Group Travel Scoop, send me an email. I will invite you to be a guest author, and we will post your group travel contributions so everyone benefits.

Summer Corporate Meetings Ideas

Summer - corporate meetings season? Lots of folks are on vacation during the summer months, and it is not typically the biggest meeting season of the year. During the summer months, we see some team building trips and a variety of corporate events.

My suggestion for this summer if you are trying to plan a meeting is to opt for simplicity. Summer is an excellent time to plan a meeting that also makes your team feel like they are being rewarded for their knowledge, expertise, and hard work. Plan an off-site corporate meeting based around a great location or beautiful setting, where people can feel relaxed. I am not suggesting you take everyone on a free vacation this year, but I do think you will be pleasantly surprised if you take a slightly different approach.

Opt for a little less planning and structure and a little more for spontaneity, creativity, and pleasure. There are beautiful retreat locations, mountain cabins, lake houses, beach properties, and golf resorts all over the United States. I have a few suggestions of places you might want to consider for something a little different in an off-site meeting venue. These places won't break the bank, either:

Northeastern U.S.:

Consider a trip to the Poconos. These mountains are stunning in their beauty, and offer everything from hiking to fishing. The town of Hawley is in the northerneastern Lake Region of the Poconos Mountains and offers several great resort properties. Plan ahead, and choose a great escape from the city for your next corporate meeting.

West Coast:

Not far from Los Angeles is the town of Ojai, a great place to host a small off-site meeting. Ojai is home to Lake Casitas, which is a great place to spend a summer day. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa offers world-class golf. In fact, it was rated the #1 golf resort in California by Conde Nast readers. Ojai, California has summer festivals, a Shakespeare festival and offers you and your colleagues the opportunity to really get away for a few days.

Rocky Mountain Region:

In northern New Mexico is The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. In the town of Mescalero, just outside of Ruidoso enjoy an incredible retreat at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. The meetings facilities are top-notch. The golf course is excellent, and the setting could not be more beautiful. The resort is owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe as a world-class resort facility in the heart of the New Mexico Mountains. Skiing in winter, golf in summer, hiking, fishing, and gorgeous scenery make the Inn of the Mountain Gods an ideal choice for an off-site meeting.

I just gave you some of my ideas. Please contribute some of your own by commenting on this post. Remember to keep it simple this summer when it comes to meetings. A winning idea might come on the trail or at the lakeshore instead of at the conference table.

Patrick Soch, Senior Marketing Manager

Summer Family Vacation Destinations

If you haven't already planned a late spring or summer trip for your family, now is the perfect time to start planning your family vacation. Maybe you want to jump in the car with your spouse and kids and head out for an adventure, or perhaps you want to call your brothers and sisters and get together with nieces and nephews for a larger gathering. Either way, summer is a fun time to take a family vacation. What are some of your favorite family vacation spots?

Below are some of my favorite family-friendly destinations that you may not have considered:

Hershey, Pennsylvania - Hershey, PA is a town built around fun and chocolate. This is an exciting family destination, just an hour and a half from Baltimore and about three hours from New York City. Hershey is a lot of fun for a weekend family trip. Hersheypark is a great amusement park with water rides and roller coasters. It is open daily from May 23 through September 8 with weekend hours in early May and late September. And there is also Hershey's Chocolate World, which is a tour ride through a chocolate factory, including samples. ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park features animals native to North America in "naturalized habitats". What started out as a home for a private animal collection in the early twentieth century was re-opened in 1978 as ZooAmerica and has become one of 50 accredited zoos and aquariums in the United States.

Wisconsin Dells - Less than 50 miles from Madison, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells is a popular regional destination. It is easily accessible from Chicago, Milwaukee, or Madison. Some call Wisconsin Dells the water park capital of the world. Wisconsin Dell is located along the Wisconsin River and the deep gorges the river cut over time. The area offers a beautiful setting for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, amusement parks, and river cruises. Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park and Noah's Ark Water Park are among the favorites. In nearby Reedsburg, visit the Museum of Norman Rockwell Art, which is home to over 4,000 Rockwell creations. Ho-Chunk Casino in nearby Baraboo is a fun casino with lots of ways to play. The Casino offers great dining options, live entertainment, and resort amenities for their guests. The Ho-Chunk Wellness Center offers workout facilities, swimming pools, and more.

The Outer Banks - North Carolina's Outer Banks are a string of barrier islands that run along the Carolina Coast. The Outer Banks are more than 130 miles in length and are home to many incredible vacation spots for your family vacation. Visit towns such as Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and Kill Devil Hills, or head for the rustic Hatteras Island. Be sure to visit Roanoake Island as well, England's first attempt to colonize the New World that ended in the mysterious disappearance of the would-be settlers in 1587. Ideally set along the Atlantic Coast and offering shelter most of the year, the Outer Banks offer lots of opportunities for beachcombing, swimming, watersports, sportfishing, birdwatching - the Outer Banks are a wonderful destination for outdoor enthusiasts. This is a fun place for your family vacation.

Find a hotel for your family vacation.

Other Resources:

Frommer's Top 2007 Travel Destinations

Cape Ann, Massachusetts | Great Destination Article

This morning, I was doing some research on Boston area attractions and seaside destinations, and I ran across a great article on Cape Ann, "Massachusett's other Cape." Matt Villano's article is really well-writtten, informative, and I would be surprised if it doesn't inspire you to plan a trip of your own to Cape Ann and the Boston Area.

Read Matt's Cape Ann, Massachusetts article now.

Happy Trails,

Patrick Soch, Senior Marketing Manager

Key West, Florida Attractions

Key West, Florida is one of those amazing places with a personality all its own. It has attracted great literary figures, such as Ernest Hemingway as well as folks seeking the laid back lifestyle the Keys offer. With the ocean, the sun, sportfishing, and unique attractions, Key West is a great place for a friends getaway, a romantic weekend, or any gathering with friends and loved ones.

There are a few attractions and activities you don't want to miss when you travel to Key West, Florida:

1) Dry Tortugas National Park - Dry Tortugas National Park is a chain of seven reef islands about 65 miles southwest of Key West. The National Park is a unique and beautiful area near Key West. Ft. Jefferson was built at Dry Tortugas to keep help keep the shipping channels open and free of piracy. You can reach Dry Tortugas either by ferry or by seaplane, and it is definitely worth a visit.

2) Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - Visit the Key West home, where Ernest Hemingway lived and worked in Key West during the 1930s. He wrote some of his most famous works in this house. The home contains much of the original Hemingway furniture and decor. The descendants of Hemingway's cats still inhabit the grounds; today there are about sixty cats living at the home. The Hemingway Home is one of the most popular attractions in Key West.

3) Mel Fischer Maritime Heritage Society - Visit a museum space surrounding the work of Mel Fischer, who discovered the wreck of the Atocha, a Spanish ship that sank during a hurricane in 1622. The museum has gold artifacts and informative displays.

4) Southernmost Point - Visit the southernmost point in the continental U.S. when you visit Key West. The point is marked with a red, black, and yellow marker.

5) Key West Aquarium - First built in 1934, this is one of the oldest open-air aquariums in the United States. The aquarium offers touch tanks and exhibits of local fish and marine life.

6) Key West Lighthouse Museum - The lighthouse museum is an interesting and informative way to learn about the history of Florida lighthouses.

7) Fort Zachary Taylor - Now a Florida State Park, Ft. Zachary Taylor has picnic areas, a swim beach, and also fishing. This is a great place to spend the day with kids.

8) Sportfishing - Key West offers world-class sportfishing. For great information, visit the Key West Fishing Club. Find out about fishing the flats for permit, bonefish, and tarpon. You can fish wrecks and reefs for grouper and cobia, or head for the open water sailfish opportunities.

9)Scuba and Snorkeling - There are great opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving around Key West. Here you can do guided wreck dives and reef dives that are plentiful with tropical fish and great natural beauty.

10) Mallory Square - Head for the square around dusk, and be prepared for the spectacular beauty of a Key West sunset. At Mallory Square, street performers entertain, and it is a local favorite.

Find a Key West Hotel for your trip.

Great Article on Youth Mission Trip Planning

If you plan group trips for youth ministries or youth mission trips, there are lots of things to consider before you go and during your trip.

Tony Sheng wrote a great article about things you need to consider and plan for when you organize youth trips. His article is specifically about mission trips, but the information is relevant and helpful for group trips of all kinds. He provides tips on everything from the shots you might need for international trips to how you are going to get around once you arrive in your destination.

Read Tony's mission trip planning article now.

Group Friendly Las Vegas Hotels

As an online travel company specializing in group travel, part of our success is driven by our relationships with hotels in our key destinations. Las Vegas is an extremely popular group destination, and it maintains one of the highest hotel occupancy rates as a market. Below are a few excellent Las Vegas hotels you will want to consider for their group friendly staff and willingness to provide service and support for your group functions:

Aladdin (soon to be Planet Hollywood)

Las Vegas Hilton

The Platinum

Hilton Grand Vacations

The Orleans

Ask for these Las Vegas hotels by name, or book your Las Vegas trip online today.

Group Friendly New York Hotels

We have some great hotel partners in New York City, who welcome group business. They will treat you with top service and amenities, and we are happy to recommend these New York hotels to you for any group trip from corporate meetings to friends getaways:

Crowne Plaza Times Square - Times Square

Wall Street District Hotel - Lower Manhattan

Hotel Roger Williams - Murray Hill

Shoreham Hotel - Midtown

The Algonquin - Midtown

Ask for these hotels by name, or search New York Hotels now.

Seattle is a top group travel destination

Seattle, Washington is a great destination for trips of all kinds. Seattle is a very cosmopolitan city with residents from all over the world, especially from Japan and China. Companies such as Microsoft and Boeing have helped propel Seattle to the top of America's most technology-minded cities. Seattle is a popular destination for corporate meetings, and it is also a perfect destination for a family vacation or a friends getaway.

Seattle is thoroughly modern city with classy hotels, popular attractions, fine dining, great music, and cultural experiences. It is also close to the great natural beauty of the Washington coast, the Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Penninsula. The awe inspiring beauty of this area is just part of the great appeal Seattle offers to group travelers.

Below are a few of my suggestions - a top 10 list of Seattle attractions you don't want to miss:

1) Mount Rainier National Park - As an avid outdoorsman, I recommend the great natural beauty surrounding Seattle at the top of my suggestions. The National Park is easily accessible from Seattle, and it is worth the trip whether you just want the scenic drive or if you want to take a day hike

2) Olympic National Park - 95% of Olympic National Park is now declared "wilderness area". Your car will get you to the edge of the Park area, but much of the spectacular beauty of Olympic N.P. is a wild sanctuary, accessible only by foot or on horseback. This is a place to see towering 300 foot plus trees, beautiful wildlife, and to experience great solitude. The Hoh Rainforest is a rare example of a rain forest in the temperate climate zone, making Olympic National Park a unique opportunity in the United States to see such a forest. With nearly 200 inches of annual rainfall, remember to bring high quality raingear and waterproof footwear.

3) Pike Place Market - Famous for its flying fish, the Pike Place Market is a great place for fresh seafood - really fresh. Seattle is one of the most important fishing ports in the United States, and the Pike Place Market is part of this heritage. It is also a great place to eat lunch, have a cup of coffee and just take in the atmosphere.

4) The Seattle Aquarium - At Pier 59, the Seattle Aquarium offers the opportunity to see marine life up close. It is a really good attraction if you are traveling with kids. With lots of interactive exhibits, the aquarium provides opportunities for learning. The Underwater Dome offers 360 Degree views from below of the 400,000 gallon aquarium with schools of salmon as well as sharks.

5) Safeco Field - If you come in the spring or summer, Safeco Field is a fun way to spend an afternoon, watching the Seattle Mariners play baseball.

6) Underground City Tour - Take a leisurely walking tour of what used to be downtown Seattle's main roadways and storefronts. The downtown was rebuilt one to two stories higher than the original road grade, which was prone to frequent flooding. It is now an interesting tourist attraction and definitely worth the time. Wear your walking shoes because the stairs and walkways can be a little rough.

7) Experience Music Project - The Experience Music Project takes you to the roots of American popular music through interactive and interpretive exhibits. Participation is definitely encouraged. This is really fun place for kids, where they can jam on a guitar, bang some drums, and learn about American music.

8) Klondike Gold Rush Museum - Learn about the Alaskan Gold Rush and Seattle's great growth as the hub for gold seekers heading to the Klondike.

9) Seattle Space Needle - The 605 foot tower was built for the 1962 World's Fair. It has come to symbolize Seattle and is easily Seattle's most recognizable landmark. From the observation deck, you can see not only the entire Seattle skyline but also the Cascade Mountains, Olympic Mountains, and Elliot Bay. There is a restaurant you can enjoy and a gift shop.

10) Neah Bay - Neah Bay is about 120 miles from Seattle, but it is worth a day trip. Neah Bay is on the Makah Indian Reservation at the tip of Puget Sound. The Makah people have one of the finest tribal museums in the country, the Makah Cultural and Research Center. The Center is active in preserving the Makah language and features a permanent exhibit of artifacts related to Makah history and culture. Come learn about one of the first nations of the Seattle area.