| there is a group of a similar demographics and this | | | | will take the outlined itinerary and plug in specific times |
| group wants to visit specific sites in the United States. | | | | at which the sites will be visited. Moreover, many bus |
| How does the head of the group or a transport | | | | companies have alliances or partnerships with the sites |
| director go about finding the proper bus company or | | | | and can arrange for guided tours. If the bus company |
| bus hire that can provide the transportation and | | | | you select does not have such partnerships, then the |
| amenities we humans expect when traveling some | | | | travel director will have to arrange for the guided tours |
| distances? | | | | with the individual sites. Another advantage of working |
| Well, to help explain what to do let’s say a | | | | with bus companies on finalizing what sites to visit is |
| group of junior high school students want to visit | | | | that they have been there and are knowledgeable |
| historic American Revolutionary War sites in | | | | about whether the site is worth visiting or not. If a site |
| Philadelphia, New York and Boston. | | | | is not worth visiting, the bus companies can come up |
| History Tour | | | | with better, alternative sites. |
| The first thing is that the school needs to appoint or | | | | The other information you provide them will help them |
| assign the task of developing the trip to someone. It is | | | | select the right hotels and restaurants. |
| probably best to select a teacher who is involved with | | | | And, again, since these companies have been through |
| the students who will be making the trip. | | | | these types of things before, and if they are involved |
| Second, the assigned transportation director must do | | | | with an alliance like International Motorcoach Group, |
| his or her homework. They must determine how many | | | | then they can arrange additional entertainment for the |
| children will be traveling and if there are any special | | | | down times such as the evenings that can include |
| needs. This includes special diets or to determine if | | | | such things as tickets to a play. |
| special equipment will be necessary for handicapped | | | | Finally, at the end of the selection process, there are a |
| students, etc. | | | | few things to keep in mind. It is best to actually go to |
| Third, the kids need to be told what is expected of | | | | the bus company so that you can see first hand how |
| them during the trip. The kids and their parents should | | | | they run their operation. Check out their buses, |
| be briefed to be certain that all are on the same page. | | | | ascertain the age of their fleet, determine if they have |
| Determine how many adults will be necessary to | | | | a good maintenance program. Ask about their |
| watch after the kids. | | | | drivers’ training and years of experience and |
| Fourth, determine what sites you want to see in each | | | | whether that company has alliances or partnerships |
| city and the approximate dates when you wish to | | | | with bus companies in the cities you will be visiting. This |
| arrive. Create an itinerary. | | | | is important because if the bus breaks down, then the |
| Fifth, get some idea of the cost of hotels so that you | | | | bus company can contact their partner in an alliance |
| can give the bus company a strong parameter of | | | | and provide them to you in order to successfully |
| what you are able to afford. You can determine what | | | | complete the tour. |
| hotel chains may provide the type of accommodations | | | | Of course, the final price is of concern to you. And |
| you are expecting and Google those hotels to find out | | | | that is understandable. But price should not be the only |
| the price of staying there. Some bus companies have | | | | thing you use to decide on what company to hire. The |
| alliances with some of the top hotel chains in the | | | | total package should be taken into account. |
| country so they can offer you a price for | | | | Many of these same guidelines can be used to set up |
| accommodations within the budget you have learned | | | | tours for other types of demographics. For example, a |
| you are able to pay. These bus companies also have | | | | group of elderly citizens who wish to visit ante-bellum |
| alliances with restaurants that they will use to provide | | | | homes in the south. As explained previously, the travel |
| meals for the kids. Moreover, these companies are | | | | director should come up with a rough idea of what the |
| well versed in your situation and the needs of your | | | | purpose of the trip is about. Where do you want to go |
| party. They know, for example, that kids will want to | | | | and when. So, as in the previous scenario, the travel |
| have something to do during the down times -- times | | | | planner should create an itinerary outline. All the other |
| when they are in the hotel. So bus companies may | | | | concerns mentioned earlier should also be of concern |
| suggest hotels with swimming pools and other | | | | for a tour of elderly citizens or any other type of |
| attractions to keep the kids occupied. | | | | demographic. |
| Google for a few bus companies you can research. | | | | It is imperative that the travel planner supply the bus |
| Be concerned with the bus company’s training | | | | company with as much information as possible not |
| program for its drivers, its financial stability, its | | | | only concerning the sites you want to see but the |
| maintenance program and its operation quality. | | | | needs of the people in the group, the demographics of |
| Once the homework has been done, then the travel | | | | the group, etc. This helps the bus company determined |
| director can approach some bus companies for a | | | | if such things as a motorcoach with a kneeler that |
| possible bus hire. | | | | reduces the height of the step a person needs to |
| Working with the travel director, company personnel | | | | negotiate to get on the bus. |