Best Ways to Socialize on a Group Tour

There’s a lot to be said for going on group tours. They take the guesswork out of planning trips, allow you to meet like-minded people, and make travel more achievable. But let’s focus on how group tours can present the perfect opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Perhaps those awkward hellos and knowing nods can turn into Sunday brunches together, more planned trips, or even a meet-cute story (who knows?).

How to Make Friends on a Group Tour

Say “Hello”

You don’t always need a smart icebreaker to start a conversation with someone. Sometimes, a simple “hello” can do just the job. Greeting others with a toothy or a not-so-toothy smile also makes you seem warm and approachable. Plus, chances are that fellow travelers are keen to socialize. So, taking the first step might just work out for the best.

Say Something Nice or Compliment Them

A genuine compliment can do more than just break the ice. It can make someone feel appreciated and also show them that you’re a friendly person. Appreciate their cool shades, ask them where they bought their dapper hat from, or tell them how comfortable and pretty their dress looks. Of course, remember to keep it respectful and lighthearted, and make sure that you’re not crossing any boundaries.

Take a Detour

During free hours between activities and excursions, you might get enough time to go on excursions or short adventures. If you’ve found some interesting folks in the group with whom you’d like to connect, consider inviting them along on your escapade. You’d be surprised how easy it is to bond over misadventures.

Share Your Snacks

If you’re not like Joey from F.R.I.E.N.D.S and don’t let out a hysterical, “Joey doesn’t share food” pronouncement when someone wants to eat something from your plate, you should most certainly consider offering your snacks to others in your group. This small gesture can help you easily put any initial awkwardness to rest, start conversations, and swap stories about your lives.

Say “Yes” to Opportunities

When someone invites you to join them for a meal or an excursion, accept the invitation. Group activities and games are not only fun but also great icebreakers that can help you connect with others. Even if these activities feel a bit out of your comfort zone, saying yes to participating in them can open doors to conversations, laughter, and bonding opportunities. Moreover, at the end of the trip, such moments can become the heart of the whole experience.

While being approachable and making the first move of initiating a conversation is a great thing, you also need to be respectful of others’ personal boundaries and privacy. Make sure you pick the right moments to start conversations so that you don’t end up disregarding someone’s boundaries.

What Making Friends Can Do for You

You’ll Be in the Company of Like-Minded People

You usually look for one thing in people when you want to make friends: whether their interests and preferences match your own. When you’re on a group tour, you know that your travel choices may align. So, it becomes easy to strike up a new conversation, as the enthusiasm about shared interests comes naturally.

You’ll Get to Share Experiences

Yes, solo traveling is a rewarding experience. You get to check out places at your own pace and time. However, sometimes, it’s even more fun when you’ve the right company to share that experience with. Sharing a laugh over misadventures, swapping stories, and creating new memories together can make the journey even more fun and memorable.

You’ll Have Better Pictures to Look Back On

Selfies are great. But what do you do when you want to strike a pose for a picture at an iconic place? And who’s going to tell you to fix your hat before you are ready to have your picture taken? No one can do this job better than travel buddies. Not to mention, if you make a good friend on the trip, you’ll also have someone to share the frame with and tag on your Facebook posts.

You’ll Have Some Epic Stories to Recount

Make new friends on your trip, and you’ll have far more interesting stories to share back at home. Not only that, but the unexpected laughs, detours, and activities that you got to share will forever be etched in your memory. And you’ll have stories to recount for years to come. What better way to spend a Sunday brunch with your new friend than guffawing over, “Remember when a monkey stole that ridiculous hat of yours that was too big for your face? Do you still have that picture that I took of you in that hat?”

You’ll Make a Friend for Life

This might seem like a stretch, but many times, people end up finding friends for life on trips. For instance, a blogger recalled all the stories of how she made friends on different trips in her blog, Feet Do Travel. She reveals that she is still in touch with some of her friends, and they continue to meet. So yes, traveling is a great way of expanding your social circle.

You’ll Have a Travel Buddy

Now that you’ve been on a trip together, it’ll be easier for you to plan your next one. You are already well acquainted with each other’s travel preferences, and both of you most likely enjoy doing the same things. So, it may or may not be too early to talk about the next trip! Might we suggest a road trip?