All-inclusive group holidays

Pehaps the biggest two tricks for you as the organiser, is to be really certain of (i) who/how many are going, and to know (ii) exactly what is the maximum budget of every person in your group.

The most 'pro' group trip organisers get deposit money from everyone and an agreed date, before they even start the holiday search. Why? Because experience has taught the hard lesson that everyone is 'definitely going' when you first talk about it in the pub, but those numbers shrink fast when asked to commit to a date, and reduce further when it's time to pony-up-the-dough.

Similarly, if you don't take time time to speak with each person in private (don't make them say it in front of the group) to get honest their maximum budget (plus expectations of star-rating or hotel quality) it's all too easy to propose options to the whole group that some will privately feel they can't afford. Everyone will (and should) get over-excited, so it's OK to keep gently reminding everyone what's most important here i.e. getting the whole gang together (picking something everyone can afford), rather than maxing out the luxury, at the behest of those with the deepest pockets.

Top Tip: cater to multiple different budgets by proposing options that everyone can afford, and letting the more flush know what upgrades might be available, such as rooms with balcony or suites.

Much of this advice comes from more than a decade of helping customers to organise group ski holidays, and the benefits of booking all-inclusive ski holidays for your pals are exactly the same as when organising a group beach holiday.