cookstar

iTrader: (6)

My brother is getting married in July, and having a blessing ceremony in Goa, India in February (Valentines)

Being best man I have just been allocated the task of sorting flights, accommodation, visas, transfers etc etc for 60 people

Some want 1 week some want 2+ some want cheaper hotels some want expensive.

*starts to sweat

davegtt

LOL I'd tell them to do a running jump and sort their own out. Give thema choice of 2 flights (1 week return and 2 week return, anymore arrange it yourself) then give them a choice of 2 hotels, one cheap and one expensive. Again, if theyre unhappy with the choice then sort your own out. Visas should be easy enough.

Brendan Hughes

Why does he hate you so much?


BTW India in July... sweaty...

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

im the younger one by 8 years, I was a pain as a kid

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

July in Goa = monsoon


He is getting married in the UK and then having the blessing in Goa

amahrap

good luck - i will send you a PM on the visa issue (it's not what you know etc !!).

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

thanks

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

OMG

That is one massive task. If you are doing the bookings, then you are most likely also going to be footing the bill and then asking them all for payment. Or at least you will have to foot a deposit or something.

Make sure you check the small print or you could get caught out. As an example when I did my birthday bash I managed to negotiate not have to pay a deposit. Then someone dropped out and I nearly had to foot their bill. Yes, you can ask them to pay, but if they don't

I'd do the research, make the suggestions and ask the hotels to hold the rooms for a couple of days while people book in.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

I'd tell him to F off.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

A good point, prob going to be around £30k business for the travel agent minimum, so dont think i will be paying for my own flights

SiPie

Couldn't agree more...

It's well beyond the call of duty IMHO

Henrik

iTrader: (5)

It's his brother, of course it's not beyond the call of duty

IMHO

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

TBH, have made some calls already, and its not going to be as bad as it sounds, the only prob will be getting people to cough up the dosh. But as Luminous pointed out, I will have no actual dealings with the money. So dont pay - dont go.

My sister in law to be, was having kittens at the thought of this so its worth it just to see her chill

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

thats unusual


sorry cant offer anything constructive, but I think your bro owes you one, or if you arent married do something similar when you do get married (location like iraq would be fun)

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Oh intend to get some good payback

dpb

Get some party planner on the job and give them his mastercard number

Spoon

Your Brother has a much bigger task in getting married.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

And a damn site more expensive if it goes wrong

Turbohot

The Zohan

Good advice above, also give them a cut-off date for bookings and payment and ensure that you get ALL money up front, set up an account if needs be to do this.

also of you are placing a group at one of the hotels then ask for a 'comp' (freebie, complimentary) for yourself, afterall you are doing all the work and gonna take all the flack.

it is real important to sort the money upfront to save any embarrasmsnt and animosity after the event.good luck

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Thanks, I am setting it up so payment will be made direct to the travel agent. On a no pay - dont go basis, everyone will be made very aware of the condition.

Oh and Im going for free as is the missus

HUDDERS1

can i have info on visa issue please? i was in goa for Christmas but getting visa was a nightmare, going again in December.

Leslie

Sorry for you!

Les

Spoon

Les, what about his poor brother?

amahrap

I only offered to get the Head of Visa Section phonenumber if it was required to get the visas in bulk. The postal service now works ok so i suggest that you use that. The visa lasts for 6 months from the date of issue so just apply early (3 months is good for the Indians to work around ) so that it doesn't run out too soon for the holiday.

The fact that it takes me one phonecall, one cup of tea and approx 20 mins to get my visas will no doubt **** you off - but they are the full monty official/diplomatic ones

I can't pull strings but just offered to help if i can in this one due to the amount of visas required in one hit. As of 3 weeks time and after 4 years of working in/around South Asia i will have to join the queue with the rest of the public though as off to pastures new