The Benefits of Small Group Travel

TMP 115 Group Travel
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Jenn: Hey everyone, and welcome back to the Travel Mug podcast. So something I've been thinking a lot about recently is solo travel and whether or not I would actually venture out alone. I'm pretty extroverted. I definitely prefer to be traveling with others. However, I was thinking that group travel might be a cool way to travel alone, but also with other people, you know? So this week I'm excited to chat with Sandra from Origin Travels, a small group travel company specializing in creating immersive travel experiences for busy professionals like ourselves who want to make their most of their limited vacation days, and that is definitely me right here. So welcome, Sandra, to the show.

Sandra: thanks for having me.

Jenn: Awesome. So first and foremost, tell us how did Origin Travels come to be and what was the why behind it?

Sandra: So, the founder, her name is Britt, who is my really good friend, started the company in 2018 after she had graduated university, gone on that quintessential Southeast Asia backpacking trip, um, and realized that the most memorable parts of the trip were the ones that were local, immersive, boots on the ground experiences.

And when she got home, she started working for one of the big. Corporate giants, um, in travel in Toronto and felt like there was something in the market that was missing and that everything positioned to the woman solo traveler in, in the, in the scenario of group trips was targeted towards those high end luxury yoga Instagrammable type of experiences.

And there wasn't much market that was, that had those. Let's say backpacking authentic type boots on the ground type experiences. So she dreamed up this baby Origin Travels. And a year later, I met her when I was looking for camping trips to actually back in the day when, uh, I don't know if you've ever used Meetup, the app where you could kind of search your interests.

I feel like it's died now, but you could search things that you wanted to do with other people. And I was looking for camping trips to do and found her running these women in the wilderness trips up to Muskoka, up just north of Toronto. And what messaged her really loved the branding and her website and everything she was doing.

And it happened to also be something to do in social media. I was just had finished a job and was like, I need this, I need something and we bought it, lied into her DM. See if she needed somebody to do her social media. And she was like, I was literally going to post something tomorrow. So let's grab coffee and we grabbed coffee, started chatting.

We really connected on the vision of the company and what she wanted to do with it. And I ended up doing a trip to India with her, did the wilderness trip, started working with her kind of on like a freelance part time basis. And, well, I mean, then COVID hit, so we obviously didn't be able to run any trips for like two years, and once that settled down and travel kind of came back as an option, um, she was looking for personal reasons to step back from the company and asked me to take over.

I said no, because it didn't work out. Do that. I was like, absolutely not. I think I can take on that risk. I can't do it. And then she asked me another year later, it was like, I really want you to take it because you understand the brand, you know, you'll keep the company going in the same direction. So I took it last year.

So now we're in era number two of Origin Travels, and I've I pivoted the brand a little bit in working with, like you said, young professionals who want to make the most of their vacation days, make the most of traveling in between their nine to five. Um, I kind of got inspired by that through people on Instagram over COVID posting that you have to quit your job and live in a van to travel the world.

And, That's just not feasible for many people and I thought there's actually really great ways of traveling that don't require you to quit your stable income job and go build out a van and drive around. So that, that's kind of what inspired that. And also I come from a corporate background and I always felt like, um, I didn't have enough vacation days. So it's like the ones that I do have, how can I, how can I make them work? How can I do as much as I possibly can with them?

Meggan: Yeah, that makes a lot of sense and I think, you know, Jenn and I both feel that in terms of like really making those vacation days matter and it, it, it leads sometimes I think to a little bit of desperation because when you're actually out there in the world and, and trying to vacation. And you're just like, I only have just so much time.

And I think it that can sometimes cause a little stress. But I also think too, if you have something that's arranged for you, or you're part of a travel group, it can really even take some of that stress away. And I know you mentioned this is for sort of younger professionals, nine to five, but how do people really say, like, how do I know Origin Travels is right for what I'm looking for? How do you think people sort of come to that conclusion or find you?

Sandra: so, so far, because we're at a small scale and it's, it's a small company, it's just me. Um, everybody that's booked a trip has always had a one on one conversation with me. So I think they ask a lot of questions about the different types of experiences that are included in the itinerary. They kind of sort out, some people are hesitant if they're introverted, but we actually get a lot of people who are introverted and keeping the group small makes it a lot more approachable for people who are a little bit more shy.

Cause you're in a smaller group, you got to know everybody on a deeper level. And on like a one on one level, um, there are departures that are women only. So for women who are looking to travel with other women, they feel more connected to that. And I guess the best way that I can describe it is the people who come on the trip are curious, open minded, adventurous, open to adventure, um, are open to new experiences. And people who ask me about the age, I mostly, most people who come are in their, I want to say, like, 26 to 45, let's say, is like the general age, age range. So young professionals in their 30s, I guess, would be the general description.

But there's no real, um, Age limit. So sometimes we'll have somebody like a mom or a grandma join and they add such a nice wholesome energy to it. And when they ask me if they're too old or if somebody asks me if they're too young, I tell them, when you look at the itinerary, like, are you drawn to it? Do you want to do this?

Is this something that you are wanting to explore and if they say yes, then I think they'll fit in. So it's more about like the experiences that you're looking for and having an open mind to meeting other people and being flexible. Um, you are traveling with people you don't know, so you have to be open minded to learning about where they come from and your, maybe your differences in culture and different travel styles potentially.

But. Yeah, so that's, that's kind of the best way I can describe it, which also just brings out like the best people because everyone's so like excited to, they're happy to be on the trip and excited to meet new people and making friends. So they come with a really open mind and an open heart and it just brings out, it brings out people who have like a lust for life.

If that makes sense, you know, want to make like, want to live their best life.

Jenn: Yeah, I love that. And I think that you're right, like the type of people who sign up for these trips are all going to have something in common, which is like the love of experiencing new things and like going to see something new. And so I can imagine that people probably make like a lot of friends and like stay in touch after the group trips, which is like probably really cool. Um, how many people are typically, uh, on a group trip with Origin Travels?

Sandra: 10 would be a 10 to 12 would be like max. So

anywhere between

Jenn: Yeah,

Sandra: the reason for that is it feels like a group of friends traveling. Anything more than 12 is chaotic. People naturally split off and get clicky.

It's not a bad thing, but it does change the group dynamic a little bit when natural clicks form in bigger groups. Um, so I find this like the sweet spot number of there's enough different personalities to create a really cool group dynamic, but there's not too many and you have the opportunity to have dinner sitting at one table for the most part.

The other factor determining it is we book a lot of local experiences, like having dinner at a local home and things like that. So we can't bring groups of like busloads of 20 people into their home. That's the reason I keep them small.

Meggan: No, that makes a lot of sense. And I think you're exactly right. Like there is a fine line. There's a fine line between too few, just enough, and too many. And I can totally see what you're saying in terms of like, that larger group does give a lot of opportunity for, for people to break free and sort of form little groups of three and four.

So I think, you know, that's human nature. And not that that's a bad thing, but also, it's sort of not the point. So I'm going to talk a little bit about what is typically included in the tours, what's excluded, and what's not included in the tours. And I know that you have different types of tours, but let's talk typical for a moment.

So what is typically included in the tours? What's excluded? And is it customizable at all? How does that actually piece of it work if it's not a private group, but just one of your offered tours? What, what does that look like?

Sandra: So generally along with that nine to five fitting into vacation days theme, um, the trips are around seven to eight days as the core. And then you can add on three to four day extensions that if you have the time and the budget, you can, if not, you don't have to, so customizable in that way. Most of the trips, you can upgrade to a private room.

And then, in keeping with being accessible, we also have some, um, activities that are add ons. So things that are generally a little bit more expensive, I'll do it as an add on, so people can decide if it fits within their budget or not. So something like, The hot air balloon ride in Egypt is a bit of a more expensive experience.

So for people who want to do it, they can add it on. If they don't want to do it, they don't have to add it on. So we customize them that way. Generally what's included is your accommodations, your transport throughout the trip, uh, airport pickup and drop off. And. Most, usually all breakfasts and then some special dinners and lunches depending on the activities and then your activities that are in the itinerary.

So pretty, pretty robust, but still with flexibility and free time. So people can explore on their own or if there's something they really wanted to do, but it's not included in the itinerary, they have time to do it. And a guide, a local guide. So it depends on the trip. Sometimes you have one guide. Like in Egypt, you'll have one guide for the duration of the trip who's with you through the entire thing.

And then for other ones, like in Peru, the regions are all very different. So we have like a different local guide for each spot that you visit and they're specialized in what what they're doing in that region. Like somebody from Machu Picchu is specialized and trained in that. So it would be a different piece.

Meggan: One thing you didn't mention is flights. So do people have to book their own? And if you did, I apologize. I might have missed that, but

Sandra: Okay, that's actually a very common question. So I'm glad you asked. Um, when it's internal, when we're flying somewhere in the itinerary, then I will take care of that. If it's when it's external, so your flight to the place and home from the place is not included because the prices are very dynamic and it makes a huge difference when you book.

And I have people from everywhere coming, so I can't predict how much to include in the cost when someone's coming from toronto or from the U. S. or from Europe, so I do help people though if they're struggling with finding a good flight or if they want to add on, like, let's say they're going to Europe and they were like, oh, well, since I'm going, maybe I want, like, two nights somewhere else, like, what makes sense for me to fly into, I can help them, but, um, they're responsible for that.

Jenn: that makes perfect sense. And it's nice that you can also kind of help guide them along the way, especially if, if it's someone who's doing this as sort of a first trip or kind of like dipping their toe international travel. Because as you're talking, I'm thinking this is such a great idea for people who don't know where to start. Is you can book these types of trips and like the big scary things For me are like accommodations and getting around like that is one of the hardest things to plan. And when you have someone kind of helping you or planning that for you It makes it so much easier and then you don't have to be So stressed about planning your trip because who wants to be stressed doing something so fun

Sandra: You can just turn your vacation brain on right away, so. feel like it's gone kind of through a wave of like people weren't using travel agents for a long time or like travel groups, things like that, because the internet came into play and you're like, oh, I can just book my own trip. I can plan my own trip, but now that there's just so much noise, um, I don't plan my trips on Google or chat GPT because you're just getting these surface level answers with like different information.

You don't know what's true. You don't know what's actually good. What's not good. Um, I work with locals, so. They help kind of sit through that noise and take out those really good experiences and eliminate decision fatigue. Like when you're planning your own trip, every time I've done it, I'm like, what, how do I choose? I have this many days. Like, what do I do?

Jenn: Yeah, yeah, you can get lost in the internet like and we always tell people to like read reviews and like

Yes, you should read reviews, but by the time you're reading your, like, 200th review, your eyes are just, like, glazing over. Like, I just

Meggan: agreed. And the thing with reviews is, is sometimes you really have to weed through, is this a legitimate review or is this a fake review? Like it, it makes it difficult and you're exactly right, Sandra. I think we've all sort of. Not all, but I said a lot of people have come back around looking for that human touch in terms of planning their travel.

The internet, you're exactly right, it's, it's, it's a lot. and I, especially since we've started this podcast, I've, I've even sort of reverted back for some of our trips, especially like south and stuff, to sort of like, Book it through someone else who has the experience and recommendations, and I think that that makes a big difference.

Sandra: for sure. The reviews I think are also interesting because people have a bit of a, Maybe not everybody, but a bit of a negative bias. I think like anytime you've had a bad customer service experience or experience with something, I feel like that's when you're fired up to write that review. But when you have a good experience, you're like, wow, that was fantastic. And you don't go home and write a review. Usually I try to for this, cause I know how important it is to them. And I think everyone should do that. But most people are just like, they had a great experience. They loved it. Maybe they tell their friends, but they're not really seeking to go write that review.

Jenn: for sure. So, a good reminder to everyone out there, when you have a good experience, write a nice Google review, because it helps. Sandra, for you, personally, what are some of your favorite trips that you've been on with Origin Travels?

Sandra: That's such a hard question. Um,

Jenn: You can tell us about all of them if you want. Yeah.

Sandra: Egypt is definitely up there because it was the first international trip that I ran after taking over the company and it was Just like from a business perspective, it ran so smoothly. Our locals, like my local contact brought everything right. Exactly what I wanted to have the experience be. He nailed it. The guide was amazing. The group dynamic was just like unmatched. We actually just, um, this trip was last November and we just had a reunion camping trip where, uh, everyone that could make it came and we went to Algonquin. So everyone's like stayed in cottage. It was just like, it was perfect in every aspect from both like a personal Perspective for me and from a business perspective. And then my caribbean new year's trip last year because it was kind of like a I don't want to be in toronto for new year's. I love being in the caribbean Let me see if there are people out there who want to do it. Like it wasn't even really officially A business trip. I didn't put it on my website and it was so fun. Everybody had a blog a couple of people who came here coming on this year's trip. I came to the island so we can go somewhere else. Um, so definitely that one. And then. This year, well, we had Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which were both women only trips, and the vibes of women only are just unmatched, and you're in nature for a week, it's what your soul needs, you have an equal amount of relaxing and adventure, you're in the ocean, you're under the sun, like, it's just, it's just what your soul needs, some girl time, some good conversation.

Um, so those are probably, probably the ones.

Jenn: Do you have your 2025 destinations planned out yet, or when would that be released for people?

Sandra: It will be coming soon. I have a couple of them up, but they're not full. They're not fully ready yet. Um, but we have Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan, and then I'm just working on, I've been teasing it, but the official itinerary is still finalizing, but Madeira in the summer. Which, this is, by the way everybody, the year to go, because this place is going to blow up in the coming years.

It's already gotten a little busier, but it's still a little under the radar, so it's like, I must go next year. And then we're looking at launching like a couple of, um, detour trips, so shorter ones that are, well, first of all, less expensive than a 7 or 8 day trip. Like, we're looking at 4 days, um, somewhere that's, you know, An easy flight from most cities in North America and just to give people an opportunity to either add it on to a trip that they're doing if they ever wanted to try a group trip, but don't want to commit to a longer time, or they don't have vacation days, or maybe they just have a couple of vacation days left, and they don't know what to do with them and want to test it out. So a little bit of like an intro to, to me, to group travel, to Origin Travels, um, making it a little bit more accessible. So test that out, see how the shorter trips do, if that's something people are interested in.

Meggan: That sounds exciting, and I think that that's a great way to sort of introduce people to it. One thing you've mentioned in your website also discusses Is working with local merchants, artisans, chefs, et cetera. So how was this network built for you to be able to give your travelers a more authentic experience while supporting locals?

We've talked about that a ton on this podcast. It's something that I think is so important. So how did you know who to trust? Like, how have you built this, this network of, of, of people that you do have, however many met that might be?

Sandra: Yes, so there's a few years to this. One is my own travel experiences. I've been prioritizing it since I was, like, 20 years old, using all my time to go backpacking the world, putting all my money into it, and have built out, like, a personal network that way. It's been supporting local and, like, seeking out those places. Local communities to support has always been something that I've wanted to do. I've always been looking for like locally owned restaurants and all of those types of places, asking people when I'm there, like asking the, who's working at the hostel. Like, do you, do you know a place that I can go for this asking any, any kind of service people are always happy to give you even your restaurant server is like, yeah, I know.

Like my friend owns this this bar, you should go check it out. They've got the best, whatever. So in that way it was one layer and I keep, I've kept like journals from all my travels since I was like 20 years old, which is like 10 years ago. So I've got pages and pages of journals of like notes from all the places that I've been.

And then the second layer is Brit who founded the company was working at this. Uh, company who contracts locals in different destinations. And she's, she was going to different events, meeting people locally and built relationships with them. So she's worked with them prior knows the services they deliver.

So that's also how I choose destinations based on where we have those really good contacts. And then since going into travel, like more formally, Um, there's opportunities in, like, the trade world of attending conferences and events. Um, sometimes tourism boards put on trips that they are, they invite a hosted buyer to, and, or hosted journalists, and they put on the experiences and connect you with those locals, so you experience the service and the accommodations before, and, um, And discover whether it's something that people would want to do, like people that, um, my travelers would want to do.

So I'll experience it first in that way. And then if it's something that aligns, then I can use it when I'm looking to people. So those are a few ways.

Jenn: Yeah, that's awesome. It's nice that, um, they've been kind of like tested before. Yeah. And I wanted to ask, so if you love an itinerary that, um, you have put together, do you also offer like private trips as well, where you kind of help people book privately instead of group travel?

Sandra: Yeah. Any other trips that you see, I have like two sections of the website. One is group trips. So any of those can be customized for your dates and your budget and your interests for your group. And then I also have like a destination inspiration list of some other places that we're not currently running group trips to, but that I have itineraries for and contacts for, and those are just some of them. And we have others. I just haven't had the capacity to upload every single location on the website. I encourage people to read there somewhere that they want to go. I can go beyond what's given there. Those are just kind of samples. So we worked with a lot of yoga instructors and Pilates instructors who have done those types of trips.

They've worked with like coaches who do different types of personal development retreats. Uh, we've done just private groups of like women who want to go with their friends and don't want to organize it themselves. We've done corporate retreats, corporate offsites, and something that I just want to get more into this year as well is, um, milestone trips.

So besides honeymoons, we all know that's, that's a occasion for traveling, but, um, divorce trips, you know, like what's better than getting your group of friends together than going on a trip after your divorce. That's the best way to get away

Jenn: Yeah.

Sandra: from it all. Test a page of scenery, do your best, go somewhere where there's apartment that exists, I don't know.

Jenn: Yeah.

Meggan: Well, that's really good. That's really good to know too. Like, so do you, off topic just for a second, um, do you have a preference of planning? So do you prefer to plan sort of like those private trips for other people or the ones that maybe you're going to attend for those smaller groups? Do you have a preference?

Sandra: Well, so the group trips are for me like personally really fulfilling and I love taking people to these places and when they reach out to me after and tell me that the trip changed their life or changed them in some way and like inspired them to travel more like that for me keeps me going through the long days of laptop time but from a business perspective the private trips are are obviously better because it's less sales and marketing and I don't have a ton of capacity because it's just me. So when somebody comes to me with a full group already ready to travel and they're looking for the logistics to be handled, then that takes out that sales marketing piece for me. So, and I can work and work on, um, work on stuff instead.

Meggan: Yeah.

that makes sense. Yeah. So two different sides to that coin for sure. Um, we know a lot of your tours include outdoor adventures or off the beaten path. Is there a time where this has been disrupted by like major weather event or some type of other happening that you sort of didn't see coming, um, on a group trip?

Sandra: nothing too crazy that we haven't been able to resolve. Like. Sometimes it'll be too hot for a hot air balloon ride in India, for example, so you'll have to like switch the day. Or Costa Rica is always like, I tell people before they even go, I'm like, this itinerary, you're going to get all the experiences.

I don't know what order they're going to be in because it depends on like the tides and the moon and like so many outdoor elements that I have no control over, but we're going to do all of it. I just don't know when. So you have to be slow. But those, um, those are kind of the major ones. And I mean, last year when I launched Egypt in, I think, June or July of last year, there was so much excitement about it and people were so stoked on going to Egypt and then we all know what happened a few months later in October and for Canadians with the visas in September.

So it was like, Two back to back horrible events, and obviously had a bunch of people cancelling, don't blame them, you don't want to go somewhere you feel unsafe, so, or that it's a hassle to get your, um, visa to get in. So, that was a great way for me to start my group travel venture with huge, um, obstacles.

But, yeah, I guess that would be probably the biggest one of

Meggan: Yeah.

Jenn: Yeah.

Sandra: You're related. I guess those are more human related, but nevertheless, something I can't control.

Jenn: Yeah. For sure. So, um, before we finish up, what do you think that people should really consider before choosing to go on a group trip?

Sandra: I think they should consider their, well, understanding that there is an element of needing to be able to go with the flow, like things. Well, when you're traveling, generally, like things can go wrong. Things change, you're traveling with other people. You have to be open to people coming from different backgrounds and maybe different lifestyles than you and being open to getting to know them and not judging them, um, which it's, it's, It always works out well and everyone gets along.

And it's actually very magical to see people who are like, you know, these are people I never would have met in real life or like never would have. These aren't like people that I would have been friends with. Cause I just wouldn't have come across them in my circles. And it's nice to get out of your comfort zone.

Um, being open to getting out of your comfort zone. Cause there will be, it is, it is. Terrifying, absolutely terrifying to go to a country you've never been to before with a group of people you've never met before. And I completely empathize with that. So I, I seem confident and all put together, but it is terrifying.

And the first one that I did with origin was India. And I was so scared. I'm like, what am I doing? I don't know these people. Like, what if they hate me? What if this is horrible? So I know that all of those thoughts are running through your head when you book a trip and I understand. And I think reading the itinerary and really, and asking questions if you're unsure about something, but just really understanding what you're getting yourself into, what level of activity and fitness and pace is required.

Um, Egypt, for example, is a busy trip. It is go, go, go. So if you're looking for a relaxing beach vacation, that's not it. So kind of understanding, like, what, um, what the trip is. And then the other, the other piece. I mean, what makes, also what makes these trips very special, but maybe a little bit more difficult for people are the off the beaten path places is you can't, you can't expect the level of service that you would get in North America.

Sometimes the accommodations are maybe more basic than what you were expecting, or the service is slower, like in the Caribbean, our group was like, Yeah, they haven't come around to give you a second drink, but that's just service there. And it's, it's different than what we get in North America. So being open to that and being empathetic and just appreciating that you're in somebody else's country and it's not going to be the way that you're used to at home.

But that's the beauty of it is you're going somewhere else to experience what they have to offer and not to just move your life somewhere else for a week. So, but that is definitely something to consider and, and make sure that you're open to it and comfortable with it.

Jenn: Yes.

Meggan: Definitely. I think that's really, really good advice. So, you know, we've probably piqued a lot of interest out there. So where can people find out more information about Origin Travelss, social media, website, etc? Mention it here, of course, but, you know, we'll make sure also to link that in the show notes as well.

But where can people find you?

Sandra: You can find me on my website, which is Origin-Travels.com, uh, Instagram at OriginTravels. I, I am on TikTok, but like not good on TikTok, so you don't have to look for me there.

Um,

Jenn: I

Sandra: Travelss trips. So all the socials. And my email always happy to chat with people before the book, have a call. If that makes them feel more comfortable, get to know me and get to know who you're getting yourself into and what you're like.

I'm always happy to talk about travel. I'm sure my friends are sick of talking about it with me. So I'm happy to have people in this community who want to talk about it.

Meggan: Definitely. Well, thank you so much, Sandra, for joining us this week. It was fascinating to learn about your business and it's, uh, exciting to hear. It's definitely picking up steam 2025. Sounds like you have some great trips on the horizon for sure. Um, and that's all we have this week. Uh, thank you so much for listening to the travel mug as always.

You can find us on our website at travelmugpodcast. com. On Facebook and Instagram and YouTube at Travel Mug Podcast and you can support the show through Buy Me A Coffee, link is in the show notes. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and sharing the show with a travel loving pal would be most beneficial. So until next time everyone, bye!

Sandra: Bye