Traveling is becoming more popular every year. According to the UNWTO or the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the number of international tourists totaled over 1.32 billion in 2017, alone. So it comes as no surprise if your family wants to have their first travel adventures, too. But, as with anyone trying something new, being unprepared can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to traveling.

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If you’re an experienced traveler, and your family is planning to have their first out-of-town trip, why not lend a helping hand and offer tips for first-time travelers.

If you need some help in preparing your family for their first out-of-town trip, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for a guide you’ll need to prepare your family with valuable information they need, to have their best first travel experience.

Give your family a travel reality check

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Traveling isn’t as simple as taking a flight their destination, going to all the tourist spots, then hopping on another flight back home. Let your family know that if it’s their first time to travel, they need to understand that it’s not as simple as what they watch on travel channels and movies. There are mistakes they should never do when they travel; so that they don’t end up having a bad first-time travel experience. Having their expectations realigned can go a long way once they arrive at their travel destination.

Double-check all their travel documents

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Making sure that all your family members have their complete travel documents ready is part of any first-time traveler’s checklist. Without these documents, they will not be able to leave the country in the first place. And, as the experienced traveler in the family, it’s your job to make sure that all your family members won’t leave any important travel documents behind when they get to the airport.

Here’s a checklist of essential travel documents your family should have with them:

Passports
Visas (if required)
Flight tickets
Copies of birth certificates (if traveling with kids)
Medical documents

As an extra precaution, photocopy all their travel documents, in case their original copies get misplaced during their trip.

Help them pack for their trip

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Since it’s your family’s first time to travel, there’s a good chance they might overpack for the trip, regardless if it’s a short stay. Making sure your family doesn’t overpack for their trip should be one of the first items on your list in preparing your family for their travels.

Of course, you should let them pack whatever they want but ask them to keep the unnecessary items to a minimum and keep the weight of their luggage low to prevent them paying excess baggage fees at the airport. There’s a good chance they’ll be buying souvenirs during their trip and having excessive luggage at the beginning of the trip might cause them to have no room for all the pasalubong they’ll be bringing home.

Check their hotel accommodations

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When your family is looking for a place to stay before their trip, give them a rundown on what to look for in a good hotel.

Choosing the right accommodation can make or break their travel experience. So make sure that you help them choose the perfect hotel for their trip. Check for red flags and Have your family members check for the most recent reviews on any hotel they’re considering at their destination before your family makes a rash hotel choice, and regret their decision later at their destination.

If your family is traveling to Boracay, book them rooms at Alta Vista De Boracay. The hotel has facilities that are perfect for all your family members to relax and unwind. They can cool off after a long day of exploring at the infinity pool and after that, head to the karaoke room to bond over a family sing-off competition. The hotel rooms even have a private balcony for a fantastic view of Boracay’s beach and mountains!

Prepare them for air travel

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Your family is going to be very excited the first time they get on an airplane. Even your parents might be as enthusiastic as the younger members of your family. But if you’re traveling with someone as young as a toddler, traveling with a toddler on a plane presents its own unique set of challenges. For instance, the sensation of taking off and turbulence are alien to these little ones. So make sure you explain to them what it’s like to be on an airplane. Help alleviate their fears and teach them how to stay calm and relaxed upon takeoff.

If your family is taking a long flight to their destination, you should also recommend items they can bring on the plane to pass the time. You can ask them to bring books, headphones, and crossword puzzle books. For toddlers, prepare some coloring books, small toys, and some snacks. Download movies on a tablet that you can share amongst yourselves if the inflight entertainment isn’t to your liking.

Simplify their itinerary

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Having an itinerary is a good way for your family to keep track of their schedule when they reach their destination. Especially when traveling with kids in tow, having an organized itinerary can save your family several hours of figuring out where they should go. However, gently remind them not to overdo their travel itinerary. For instance, if they decide to visit as many tourist spots as possible, they could end up spending less time to enjoy and experience each location. Allotting time for breaks and rest period in between each location will go a long way, particularly for elder members of the family.

If they’re traveling with kids, make sure they tick off kid-friendly locations on their list.

Remind them to enjoy every moment

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Perhaps the best advice you can give your family for their first time to travel is to enjoy every moment of the trip. Good or bad, all these moments will add up to the overall experience of their journey. Remind your family that even though they might encounter roadblocks on their trip, they can choose to make the most out of every moment.

Traveling should be one of the best experiences anyone can have during their lifetime. It shouldn’t matter if someone is a first-time traveler or an experienced one. But hopefully, with these tips to prepare your family for traveling, they’ll be able to enjoy every moment of their travels with as little hassle as possible.

7 Traveling Tips to Prepare Your Family for Their First Trip