Picture this: You have a busload of eager travelers ready to hit the road. The journey to your next destination is several hours long and stops will be limited. As your tourgoers settle into their seats, various personal belongings in hand and strewed about, it’s clear they’re bracing for a lengthy, monotonous, potentially boring stretch of their trip. And who can blame them? While some enjoy sitting back and taking in the sights, others might find traveling in a confined space for too long to be rather unpleasant.

Boredom, exhaustion, or infighting among your travelers only serve to exacerbate the issue, creating a generally stressful environment that can put a sour note on your entire group’s experience. One person is taking up too much space with their belongings. Another is taking loud phone call after loud phone call. Someone is listening to music without headphones. Slowly but surely, you start to notice the telltale signs of irritation and frustration bubbling to the surface in some of your group members.

Situations like this aren’t a given on every motorcoach. However, when they do occur, no tour operator or tourgoer wants to be trapped aboard a bus where the travelers aren’t content. So, what can be done to prevent a scenario like the one described? Plan ahead using these tips and tricks for battling boredom, keeping the peace, and avoiding conflict during your group’s next venture aboard a motorcoach.

BOREDOM BUSTERS

Nothing makes a road trip drag like boredom. And where there’s boredom, there’s impatience, irritability, and restlessness. Avoid this traveling pitfall by encouraging your tourgoers to participate in group games like 21 Questions, trivia, or other icebreakers. This will keep your clients engaged while also encouraging group bonding. In that same vein, facilitate group conversation by switching up the seating arrangements or leading get-to-know-you conversations.

Depending on the general vibe and mood of your group, you might want to opt for a simpler approach. Long motorcoach trips often provide tourgoers with a great opportunity to relax and recharge. Allow your travelers the chance to nap, work, stretch or move around (when possible), listen to a playlist or podcast, read or enjoy an audiobook, go through their photos, stream a TV show or movie, knit, or meditate. Travel journals are also great tools for helping tourgoers pass the time and catalogue their experiences. All these activities, plus more, are perfect for de-stressing or keeping busy—whichever suits your travelers best! Help make the journey even more enjoyable by offering snacks, sharing information about sights along the road, and engaging in friendly conversation.

“Most motorcoach travelers have found ways to avoid boredom on long trips, as—in many cases—the ride itself is part of the experience, says Scott Michael, president and CEO of the United Motorcoach Association. “If riders are complaining about the temperature or asking how much longer the trip will take, those could be indications [of boredom], along with switching seats or making trips to the bathroom.”

For many groups, Michael notes, the bus ride itself can be one of the main highlights of the trip. So, what’s his advice?

“Look out the window!” Michael says. “One of the great advantages of motorcoach travel over airplanes is the ability to see this great country as you travel. You can learn about different geographical features or architectural styles and see so much of the people and places that you’re traveling through. It’s also important to plan ahead with entertainment, snacks, a sweater, and headphones. Once you’re on board, settle in and enjoy the ride!”

For planners, Michael also notes the importance of scheduling in stops every few hours. “Some groups will stop at the same brand of rest stop multiple times as kind of a running gag, while others like to find obscure points of minimal interest (like a giant ball of string) as an excuse to break up the trip,” Michael explains. “You can even make a game of guessing where the next stop will be.”

Credit: Adobe/Milos
THINGS TO AVOID

What your tourgoers don’t do while traveling is just as important was what they do. It’s important your travelers remain respectful of others’ time, space, and boundaries. Remind your clients of these simple, yet vital rules of etiquette to avoid conflict and ensure their trip runs as smoothly as possible.

First and foremost, your tourgoers must be mindful of their neighbors. Don’t disturb someone who doesn’t want to be disturbed. This means maintaining a respectful volume, keeping personal belongings confined to their own space, and refraining from forcing unwanted conversation.

Technology can be great for passing the time, but it can also lead to disruption. While one person might enjoy music, podcasts, or other forms of entertainment, not everyone will have the same preferences. This is why it’s important to encourage group members to bring headphones when preparing for a long trip. Long phone conversations are similarly disruptive.

“Cell phones have become ubiquitous, and it is only natural that you may need to use them during a long trip if only to keep other people waiting for you apprised of your progress and any possible delays,” says a blog by Chicago-based motorcoach company Infinity Transportation. “However, the noise of conversation or video streaming can be a nuisance for other passengers, so stay discreet as much as you can in such tight quarters. You might need to bring a comfortable headset if you are planning to listen to music or watch your favorite shows to pass your time on board. In addition, try to use text instead of calling, and keep your phone silent as much as possible.”

OTHER TIPS

Motorcoach travel is a shared experience. It takes the entire group to foster a positive environment, not just one person sticking to the often-unspoken rules. Keep the good vibes going by reminding your group of these guidelines in courtesy.

As storage space is often limited on motorcoaches, remind tourgoers to pack lightly, only bringing aboard their essentials while storing the remainder of their luggage in an undercarriage compartment. Ensure they use overhead bins or the underside of a seat to keep items out of other people’s space.

While traveling with others, it’s important to be mindful of the schedule. When tourgoers arrive to the bus late, they delay everyone and potentially put the itinerary at risk. “Most charter bus regulations aim to leave on time barring any technical issues,” explains Infinity Transportation. “To ensure that your travel goes smoothly, make sure you know where your bus is leaving from and what time, and plan extra time for any last-minute issues. Punctuality is a must during your travels.”

Finally, demonstrate respect and kindness toward the bus driver. Ensure your group members do not distract the driver, and see that they keep their areas as clean as possible, as light maintenance is often a part of a driver’s job. It’s his or her responsibility to get your group to its destination safely, so remember to say “Thank you!” and follow their rules during the trip.


By Madeline Fuerstenberg

Main Image Credit: Adobe/bodbarphoto