Looking for a Group Trip in 2024? SquadTrip’s Group Travel Marketplace Delivers Cultural Experiences and Connections

One of the most intimidating parts of wanting to see the world is potentially having to do it alone. In a perfect world, every trip makes it out of the group chat, but we all know how that goes. What starts as a group of ten, dwindles to six, and before you know it, only you and one other person are boarding the flight on vacation day. It’s one of many reasons why people are turning to curated group travel experiences, particularly Black-owned ones.

I recently learned about SquadTrip, a Black-owned group travel planning software that handles marketing, booking, and data management. The platform works for everything from private family vacations to hosting a retreat. The creators have streamlined the design, payment, and communication processes for hosts and attendees. Although I’m still debating whether to dive into the world of group travel as a host myself, the features of this app certainly make the idea more appealing. Whether you’re a budding travel experience host or just looking for a few trip recommendations, here’s why you should consider SquadTrip to plan or find your next getaway.

The Perks of Group Travel with SquadTrip

• Customize Your Trip Offerings and Allow Customers to Choose Their Own Adventure
• Payments Options & Flexibility, Made Simple
• Easily Track, Manage, and Communicate with Your Travel Group

The first, and most important, part of group travel is summarizing the details into one easily accessible place; that’s where Trip Pages come in. SquadTrip makes building engaging trip information pages easy with itineraries, tiered package options, add-ons for extra perks and excursions, and more. You can also include your own branding and images and answer the most pressing questions in the FAQs section of the page. 

From there, you can share the link with family and friends. Or, for business-minded hosts, promote your trip on your website and social media. For the super-promoters, SquadTrip also makes it easy to share and track referral links with affiliate partners to help you sell out.

One of the biggest selling points of using SquadTrip is how simple it is to offer various payment options. Flexible deposits help travelers decide how much or little they want to spend to save their spot, with the host setting a minimum amount. Monthly auto-billing allows your trip attendees more time to pay for their trip, making your trip more accessible to those who aren’t able to pay in full. 

On the technical side, SquadTrip simplifies the life of a group trip host with its data and communication management tools. Registration questions make it easier than ever to gather important details like passport and flight information. Automated payment reminders avoid having to overmonitor your payment schedule. Similarly, automated emails can be scheduled to streamline sharing information with your group. 

Now, the most important of traveling in numbers is, well, the numbers. Luckily, SquadTrip’s pricing is pretty straightforward considering all of its features. Processing fees are 6% for the Starter plan and 4% for Launch and Premium plans. The fee accounts for Stripe’s merchant fee (2.9% + 30¢) for processing credit card payments. As a host, you’ll have to set up a Stripe account if you don’t already have one. However, thanks to the integration with Stripe, hosts can enjoy daily payouts to handle things like deposits and excursion pre-payments.

My Top 3 Picks for 2024 Group Experiences on SquadTrip

One of the features that I’m most excited to see grow is SquadTrip’s Marketplace. Having a Black-owned travel marketplace with Black-led travel experiences is really a Black traveler’s dream. Search by destination, dates, price, or payment options to find group trips you can hop into without having to persuade anyone else. If you’re up for an adventure and don’t worry about who all’s going to be there, then you’re bound to have the experience of a lifetime.

Before I go, I wanted to share of few of the trips that caught my attention in the marketplace.  For a group travel experience without the headache of planning and the perk of new connections, check out these exciting upcoming international trips available on SquadTrip.

Into(ME)see Wellness Retreat

Trip Dates: March 31 – April 8, 2024

There might not be two things I love more than a retreat and spending time with myself. Just in time for Spring, the Into(ME)see Wellness Retreat is an 8-day experience in Guatemala. This mind/body/soul-centered getaway is all about self-discovery and rejuvenation. The itinerary blends holistic activities with expert guidance, nourishing Guatemalan cuisine, and a stunning backdrop to unplug the world. One of the highlights of this retreat is the Temazcal Ceremony, a traditional Mexican sweat lodge ceremony. Plus, there’s also daily yoga, several cultural tours, massages, and more on the agenda.

You’ll spend five days and four nights on Lake Antilian in Tzununa. From there, the second half of the trip includes three days and three nights in Antigua. The retreat price includes your lodging, meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner while on the lake. Once in Antigua, breakfast and departure dinner are included.

2024 Wine Down in Cape Town

Trip Dates: June 14 – June 22, 2024

After three visits to Cape Town, the Mother City is easily in my top three list of favorite cities. That’s why this 2024 Wine Down in Cape Town itinerary is one of my picks for upcoming trips available on SquadTrip. When it comes to culture, cuisine, and beautiful landscapes, few destinations rival the vibes of South Africa. 

The 9-day itinerary includes stops in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Included activities such as wine tasting, sightseeing, and exploring will give you a taste of this special part of the world. There are also two optional add-ons to Kruger Park and Victoria Falls, two of Africa’s must-see natural wonders. Since this trip heads to South Africa in June, the temperatures will be mild, and the crowds much lighter, so I’d recommend this for an alternative summer escape.

Magical Kenya Experience

Trip Dates: September 27 – October 3, 2024

Kenya is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and this 7-day safari and beach itinerary is a great introduction to the beauty of East Africa. The Magical Kenya Experience starts in the capital, Nairobi, before embarking on a multi-day Masai Mara safari adventure. After spotting wildlife through game drives or the option hot air balloon ride, this itinerary transitions to the famed Diani Beach. Here, you’ll bask in the African sun while watching the most beautiful sunsets over the Indian Ocean. 

Two pricing packages are available: Mid-range and Luxury. Lodging, meals, most activities, and transportation are included, with optional add-ons like a professional photographer and videographer.

My Thoughts on SquadTrip

After diving deep into the world of SquadTrip, the thought of pulling together a family vacation just became a lot less anxiety-ridden. When the day finally comes that I put together my own international group trip for women, SquadTrip’s features make it a lot more appealing to manage. Although there’s no foolproof way to avoid every mishap, navigating the planning process just got a whole lot easier.

When I’m ready, SquadTrip is definitely going to be my first stop.

This post is part of the SQUADTRIP SQUADUP sponsored campaign. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.