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INTERVIEW QUESTIONSINTERVIEW 1INTERVIEW 2INTERVIEW 3INTERVIEW 4INTERVIEW 5
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Intro/Personality Questions:
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Name and Age?Milan, 36Karla, 34Alissa, 28Felix, 27Kelsey, 30
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What apps and websites do you use most frequently? For work and leisureI use Google. I use Zillow, realtor.com for House and interests. And then for apps. I use a lot of Instagram for inspiration. And WhatsApp for communicationI mostly use Facebook, Instagram and WhatsAppInstagram, TikTok, Uber, Cashapp, Venmo, Splitwise, Amazon. I really like auto-rennewal options within Amazon, so I can just have something set to renew and forget about it. Instagram, Safari, Tidal, WhatsApp, Google Maps, Facebook and LinkedInInstagram, Outlook, Spotify, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Google Maps, Uber, Venmo, Cashapp, Splitwise
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Do you use a planner?YesI'm not a planner. I am like, last minute planner.I typically just use my calendar, but I feel like there's alot of ways I'd like to be more organized and see everything. Yes, digital. I keep everything in my calendar app in my phone. My work schedule is connected and I like having all of that information connnected. I think i should use more planning apps. I like that it automatically ready my email and adds flights, reservations, etc. But I don't like how the information is displayed. It's hard to see what you have when. There's no list of appointments. It's missing featuress. I have two phsyical planners and I use my calendar app. For long term planning I want it written down phsyically. I need to see it. Especially for trips or visits or things that extend days long, I need to see how those overlap and see my month/year. For a running to do I have one that lets me check off things I've done. I use the notes app as my preliminary version for the checklist but I love writing things down, then I really remember them. I dont have long term "to do's" I just do it the next day.
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Do you use the notes app or any list keeping tools/apps?In gYesI just use the notes app, but there's no way to really organize them. I end up grouping a lot of lists. More categories would be helpful. Better folders. Some way to prioritize the lists. Just notes app and calendar. I take notes for work in a nontepad. BUt I love OneNote for work notes. I like one separate "notebook" for each project and different pages from each meeting, I like having a checklist as well, actively marking off completed tasks. I love the scanning feature in the notes app, then you end up with a pdf doc. I love the shared notes feature.
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How would you identify between: Type A and Type B? Planner or procrastinator? Thorough itinerary or go with the flow?Type AType BIt depends on the situation, I'm highly flexible as a person and in group settings. But I need a clean space and I need my space and don't like being rushed. In smaller groups, more Type A and in bigger groups more type B. Type B. I'm a planner but I want a loose plan. I want to research what places to see and do. It's important to have your plans but have space to adapt as things pop up. I define type A. Ultimate planner. But I like to have at least one thing planned per day and then go with the flow a little more. But it also depends on the destination. You cant walk into what looks cool in NYC and function in a big group.
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Basic Travel Questions:
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Love having something to look forward to. "it helps me break out of day to day monotonous routines." "helps me be more sponntaneous, try new things and meet new people. When im home and in my routine its hard to get out of my headspace and go do those things."Five or six trips a yearAbout 3 trips a year At least once a monthProbably once a month/ two monthsAt least 2 trips per month
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How does the planning process made you feel?REALLY stressed. I feel like when the group is talking about 18 different plans, i have no idea whats going on. I need to see everything in writing, which can make it annoying for the people who make all of the plans to have to repeat themselves againn and again and type it all out for me. But out of sight out of mind! My optimal travel organization routine is havinng all of the innformation before packing so I can plan my outfits around that. it depends on what part of the process. The sharing ideas is exciting but as you get to the research/booking it can feel like alot of work. It can be hard to figure out what needs to get done. I also fear I'm missing cool spots, restaraunts, etc. The trip jackpot is really going somehwere where you know some locals so they can make the best reccomendations. I love planning! Discovering things I'm excited to do is addicting. I get so into researching unique options and experiences.
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How does traveling make you feel?Amazing, inspired! Why? Because you could just see a different viewpoint, a different culture. Traveling allows you to open your views on life. Why is that important to you? To make us more connected, that the world is a very small place. And that we have a lot of commonalities amongst each other.Happy and stresful. It's a stressful job because I travel with little kids. And it's not always easy.It makes me so happy! But for me its 80% who you're traveling with and 20% the destination. I could have an amazing time anywhere. I like my life but it gives me that extra spice to leave my life. Its about being in different cultures, trying different foods, and seeing new things. ALIVE. Especially international travel. I love the languages and food of different cultures. It keeps me fresh. I get bored so easily so travel just snaps me out of that.
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How far in advance do you typically plan your travel?Probably about 2 weeks. Lately I've been trying to plan more in advance, so I'm not payinng a premium on flights, etc. If it's a bigger trip im probably planninng a month in advance. If its international i am starting to book 3 or so months out. If its local maybe one month. Hotels are next and then restaraunts. For quick trips I would book it 2 days before because why not. But international travel, or longer travel I want about 3 months. Otherwise you dont get the best deals, hotels, restaraunts, etc. My priority remains staying somewhere that feels safe and clean and I never want to deprive myself of any experiences I know I'm going to really enjoy.
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What types of plans do you like to have organized before the trip?The accommodations for sure, restaraunts more so in the states whereas I can walk in anywhere in Italy and have a fabulous meal. Culturally we have more of a reservations culture too. Day activities. But asking around "what to do" when you're there can be the most helpful. I want to know whats out there, but I don't need to neccessarily have the reservation booked.
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Do you normally travel solo or with groups? Groups of 3 or more?In groups, with friends or family With my family yes always with at least one more personyes alwaysalways 1 other person but in big(ger) groups a lot
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Walk me through the process on how those group travel plans are made. Research online for airfares, flights, and touristy things to do. Use WhatsApp to communicate information or text messaging. Then we all agree and move forward.I feel typically overwhelmed when theres alot of plans that need to be made so I more so wait for the group to make decisions. I like to take a step back and think through it on my own. I'm not the type of person who watns to spit out all of the ideas. I panic when i hav e to do it all at once. I usually take more of a background role. I wait for other people to say what their priorities are and then I say if I agree with their decisions. It also depends on the group and location. Who's coming? Guest list. What're the time frames? How long is everyone there? Flights, how do those line up? Planning the destinations (multiple cities, day trips, etc.) and the best and most cost efficient modes of transportation between. Accommodations. Research ( things not to miss, things other people reccomend, site I want to see). Then piece together what days, where it is, are any of those sites to see next to where we're having dinner that one day? Etc. Seeing a map of the desination on excursion based trips would be amazing.
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Group Travel Questions:
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When traveling with a group, how much of the planning do you usually take on?25%95%almost none of it, it just doesn't happen. I tend to get overwhelmed, I want to make sure everyone has had a say. Especially with bigger groups, I'm participating less. I'm happy with whatever everyone else wants. I want to make sure everyone else is happy and gets to do what they want to do. if its just one or two other people I'll take more of an active role. not much. I usually just trust that the people I'm traveling with have done the research. I don't much care about "missing" anything, I dont so much care if I don't know anything about the plans in advance. All of it. 99%. I want to know all of the information. Maybe I put it on myself but I am everyone's go to for any and all questions. I don't like to miss out on things. If it's not planned, then we may miss it. But it's essential to me to know when everyone else is doing when, becuase the bookings generally fall to me.
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How do you feel with the share of the responsibility? How does the planning process make you feel?" I tStressful. Because I have to please everyone. I'm not particularily controlling about what we do. I just always have things that I do not want to miss. For example I want to research and make sure we have a great night of dancing always. But I'm not a big tourist so I don't care as much about planning those but food is huge for me. I need to make sure we arent wasting our time having subpar meals. I don't like being responsible for everything but I do like making sure everything is well thought out and everyone is getting to do what they prioritize doing.
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How do you book your flights and hotels online? Who normally does it in the group?It's a case by case basis. Sometimes somebody takes the lead, sometimes you book your own. We use the Split Wise App to split the costs.First we pick the location. They we look for flights, usually get the cheapest dates since we have the flexibility to determine our travel dates based on the costs.
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What are some of the challenges you encountered during the travel planning experience?Some of the challenges that we face when planning is getting certain things in budget like hotels, car rentals, logistics, transportation. Also, agreements. Not one size fits all. There no one website for travel, air flights, hotels, or Airbnb.I dont feel as comfortable communicating in big group chats, and I definetly don't share what I want. It's so hard when its 800 people saying ahh i dont want to do that, I want to do that, oh i dont get in until this time...etc. I'm not as worried about stepping on anyone's toes with smaller groups. Especially when it's someone's first time somewhere and they're dying to try something that's really important to me. It can be hard to get people to actually committ to ideas and do the bookings. Part of that is getting people to go and be on time then. The laissez-faire-ness of others bothers me. It's like well do you have an opinion? If so say it. I need to know that. I hate being in situations where I plan and then it comes up that its not something someone wanted to do. I wish everyone would tell me their top 3 priorities before the trip. If I knew everyone's top 3, I'll make it happen.
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How do those challenges change as the group size increases?Sometimes not everybody agrees on pricing or availability or even datesWhen its a big group, the most challenging thing is to make sure that everybody is happy and we all agree on where we're going to eat and which kids-friendly activities we are going to do . It is important to me that everbody enjoys the tripit gets more and more flustered. I thrive planning with one to three other people. the bigger the group the more i slip into the background. As the group gets bigger the budget changes. I know in smaller groups what people's spending habits are and you can compromise more. When it gets huge I don't know what people prioritize spending money on. Getting anywhere on time and therefore reservations. We cannot walk into restaraunts when you're with 10 people. I also get really tired of being the one who has to say we need to leave in 30 min, then 15, then now, then the uber is here, etc. I hate being the pest. Also make some freaking decisions. People usually are low-commitment, but some things need to be booked and I need confirmation that everyone is into it. As size increases there's that many more flights, time changes, etc. I also don't like how much everyone tip-toes around others' feelings. I don't want to be the bad guy who has to make the final decisions. If someone doesn't enjoy themselves then that's on me.
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What tools or apps do you currently use to make your travel plans?Booking.com is the most common tool we use Google Flights, notes app especially in terms of packing lists. I like to break down what days we're goinng where. It changes depennding on where I am, but I like to try different workout classes and have those booked and in the calendar. Splitwise, Google Maps, Kayak, Rio to Rome, Whatapps, InstagramHotel Tonight, Kayak, booking.com, Splitwise, Google Flights, Hotels.com, Airbnb
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What tools and apps do you use during your travels?whatsapp or text messagingGoogle maps, yelp, whatsapp, splitwise, venmoSplitwise, Google Maps, Whatapp, InstagramIf anything has an app, I'll use it. Splitwise, yelp, google maps, instagram, snapchat, group chats
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What do you like and dislike about these tools?Sometimes you have to use multiple tools and website to piee together a trip. So it could be seamless.Most of the websites that we use have different prices for hotels, so you have to do extra work to find the right one.I like the accessibility of google. we all know how to use it for research at this point. Ease of useI love how accurate google maps is. I love starrinng places I want to go. Then when I am going to plan a trip, those ideas are saved to my "want to go" folder.
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What types of plans do you like to have organized before the trip?Kid friendly activities and restaurants Dinners, day excursions, workouts. Mostly like to go with the flow. Restaraunts, some major excursions
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Product opportunity questions:
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How likely would you be to use an app that helped coordinate group travel?Very likely. If they make it easyIf it is an easy app, yes I would use it. Would be nice to have everything in one place. If there was a better way to suggest ideas id love it. I want to be able to vote on ideas vs having to say them in a group chat. I'd try it if my friends said to very very likely
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Do you have any reservations about using this app or any new app?Sometimes we like to talk to a real person. So customer service, and relatability in regards to service, in terms of troubleshooting or cancellations or adjusting schedules. If you could assign an account manager or somebody who reaches out to you to follow up and feedback throughout the whole processYes, maybe I would need someone I casn text or chat with in case I have a question during the process. Because people can have concerns and a lot of questions.no i will always try somethingI never hesitate. I will always try something. But will i use it again? depends on user friendliness. If it frustrates me in the first two minutes, I will literally never open the app again.
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Does this remind you of any other apps?No Nono not all in one like thisjust splitwise but not really no
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What features do you think could be useful?If the app would be able to compare prices. Or be able to search by budgets. Well, it will be nice if they if the app has like a group chat. Everybody can see the same thing at the same time. To allow for more clear communication. If we could have an app like a chatting app, you can have a lot of people like your family sharing the same thing at the same time. If you can connect everybody, and everybody can see what you're searching and what do you like looking at. So you don't have to be sending like different messages and links to look at a hotel for example. And then wait for someone to get the link and respond. And avoid long texting and WhatsApp threads. Maybe a check list. And everyone can provide feedback. I would love a checklist of what to bring or prepare. Reccomendations from locals. Transportation integrations (ie. Hey you're in germany, their public transit app is ".." and it's great!" It would be nice too to have some media exchange. A dropbox for the photos and videos. Would probably have to be a "plus, paid feature" because of the storage/servers. I don't struggle with organization at all. I struggle with getting the information of what I've planned out to all of you, i need to know whats important to all of you. I'm more than happy to make the plans but I need to know whats the group's overall priority. I worry people leave without feeling like they've done what they set out to do. I worry people don't enjoy themselves if I just plan what I want to do. Adding a direct link to trip playlists would be cool. Sharing all photos and videos somehow would be great. Adding what smaller groups are doing on the calendar would be helpful. Who has to work when? Who booked what workouts?
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Usually my husband makes an spreadsheet in Excel with the date and time when everyone's arriving, and when everyone's leaving and the days and times when we're getting together. So a calendar or itinerary feature would be helpful. Sometimes we have three different families traveling together. So we need to plan what activties we are doing together and what activities we are doing on our own
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 Do you have any other suggestions/ideas for tools that could make your travel planning experience better?Also the number of people and accommodations and things that are really important, like breakfasts or hotels or transportation, or locations.Like something that will tell you the kid-friendly activities and restaurants so the kids can be engaged and the adults can also have enjoyble time. It would be so helpful to be able to visualize everyone's priorities. That way everyone feels heard. If i knew what priorties other people had, I could take more of an active role organizing everything. Especially if we all saw what needed to be planned/booked, it would encourage people to take on more responsibility in the planning. I want everyone to be having fun and doing whats important to them. I want to include everyone, visually have all of the information and make sure everyone has a say. Could be cool to have a word map populated from your group chat. I love assistive features (ie "you;re going to abroad - is your passport renewed?" Id like to see what has been setup already, and what hasnt. Visually differentiate tentative and definitive plans.
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I would like a feature to improve communication. So everyone is on the same page. And we can see the same thinhgs and then check it off and agree. Like a to do listAlso a lot of pictures, lots of pictures would make it visually pleasant. Or even a video tour or some sort of walking guide. And reviews or testimonials would be helpful too.
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