I note that some of the holidays tend to run with large groups and I avoid these wherever possible. I have also seen mention on posts where people have been quoted a group number which has then been increased as time has gone on.

The reason I prefer to avoid large group tours is because I feel it can detract from overall enjoyment of the holiday when so much time can be spent getting everyone off/on coaches, length of time needed for toilet breaks, extended meal times required, etc. 

I am sure I am not the only person who feels this way and thought would ask if it’s possible for JY to run some of these as small group holidays on specified dates with guaranteed maximum number of no more than 16-20 people. 

Janet

Apologies for the delay in posting. I will certainly pass your feedback onto our holiday planners and come back to you.

Many thanks,

Vickie

I too prefer smaller groups for various reasons. You are not 'cramped' on the coach, you do not waste a lot of time at rest stops as fewer people means less queuing! You also get to speak to most of your fellow travellers.

Regards

Jaya

I note, in response to my above query in respect of whether JY would be prepared to run some small group tours, that you advised you would come back to me.

Do you know if this has been discussed yet and whether it’s a feasible option?

With the recent concerns about reduced included meals (and excursions) I feel that it should be much easier for these to be included if the group was smaller. Maybe JY can try it on a few of the holidays to see what the take up is like?

I look forward to hearing from you

Janet

So our group sizes start from a small as 12 in Tanzania, but we're looking at groups sizes quite closely to see if this is something we should roll out to other destinations.

It would be really helpful to have your (and everyone's!) feedback about this to help with our planning. Do you have any destinations in particular in mind where you would like to see smaller groups, long haul or short haul? What number would you consider to be a small size? Under 20? Under 10?

All your thoughts are welcome to help us out with planning for future tours.

Many thanks,

Vickie

I am pleased to hear of the limited number for the Tanzania one and will definitely look at doing that in future.

My thought is that the maximum group size of a smaller group tour should be no more than 16 on long haul and 20 on short haul. I feel that this should also open up the ability to include more meals and excursions for the group to enable them to stay together.

I really don’t mind which holidays are trialled in this manner to be honest. I am currently focusing on long haul and particularly Canada but am wary having seen some large numbers quoted (42 for Canada Eastern Wonders!) or quoted numbers being flexed. Short haul trips would likely appear on my radar if small group tours. Am sure others will willingly feed in with suggestions

Thanks for listening and hopefully taking on board

Janet

For me a group of around 20 is ideal. My trip to Myanmar was 19 - excellent.  Enough to be interesting and not too much for toilet stops!

It is the numbers on the US trips which put me off particularly as I understand that sometimes the JY and TS tours travel in sync which can mean customer overload at hotels, in coaches at arrival etc.  

Further to my previous point about dropping some of the  meals, I wonder where all these JY people are who have been requesting on the feedback forms for fewer meals?  Little reaction from them on the Forum it seems.  I repeat - probably more the TS client who generally has a partner, friend etc on tours and therefore does not feel the same requirement for company at meal times.

Stella

I too prefer the maximum number to be 20. Can live with 25 but anything above that is too big a group. Group sizes of some tours has put me off booking them - i..e China, USA

Regards

Jaya

Around 20-25 is ideal for me - but...a full size coach is a huge plus for me, so I can spread my camera gear and other stuff on the seat beside me and not have to make conversation, when I'd prefer to be watching the world go by!!

All the best,

Bob