Hi Julia
Not a question really - more an observation which I would be interested in hearing other people's opinion on. I have noticed lately a few comments about how large a group was on a few trips. Having experienced this myself (40 of us in Hawaii) I felt that although this didn't spoil the holiday, I have enjoyed the trips which have smaller groups so much more. With larger groups it is virtually impossible to get to know everybody, let alone remember everyones' names and this leads to cliques being formed. As previously mentioned, on touring trips when you stop for coffee / lunch / loos the wait is so much longer meaning those at the back of the queue lose out. Checking in to hotels also takes so much longer as does service at meal times. I also was more aware of a feeling of being herded around like sheep and of course the poor TM has to work so much harder looking after everyone.
It may not be the case but it seems to me that group sizes are increasing - many of the Italy and US holidays in particular have 35-40 people on them and wonder whether JY could consider running more trips with fewer people. I guess the answer is likely to be 'no' as market forces control these issues, but I would be interested to see what other forum users think.
Sally
hi
I agree, I feel much more comfortable with a smaller group, as things go wrong you have more chance of getting noticed and things put
right. I am useless also at names and it does not feel so personal
when there are too many people. Twenty five people is a good
number as you are more likely to make friends. There is nothing
worse than feeling on your own which is what JY always says it does
not stand for but rather a friendly group who get to know each other.
I would rather a holiday was cancelled than have too many people
or at least given the chance of going on a holiday that has fewer
people on it. How about giving us say fortnightly figures of how many
are booked on each trip so we can decide what to do. I know it would
cost you money to change holidays for people, but it is better to have
happy people who will recommend you rather than complain. It is
a circle as if people complain they will not book holidays and you
will cancel owing to low numbers. hope this makes sense.
Sue Southampton