How to use spreadsheets and calculators to compare destinations
Comparing destinations with the same criteria avoids deciding only on emotion or a pretty photo.
Short answer: list the destinations you are considering, define the same criteria for all (cost, travel time, climate, safety, interest), estimate the values with current data and weight your priorities. A simple spreadsheet shows the whole picture side by side, and the savings goal calculator translates cost into a monthly contribution. The spreadsheet supports the decision, but does not make it for you.
Prerequisites
- Two to four destinations to compare.
- Approximate dates and number of travelers.
- A spreadsheet program and a calculator.
Steps
- Define the criteria. For example: total cost, cost per day, travel time, climate in season, safety, documentation required, personal interest.
- Build the spreadsheet. Destinations in the columns and criteria in the rows.
- Collect the data from reliable sources, such as carrier and accommodation sites, official tourism sites and recent accounts.
- Estimate the costs of transport, accommodation, food, activities and the unexpected for each destination, using the same parameters.
- Calculate the cost per day and the monthly contribution needed for each option.
- Assign weights. Give scores of 1 to 5 to qualitative criteria and weights to priorities. Add up the points.
- Compare and review. The numbers guide, but personal interest also counts. If the result surprises you, go back to the weights.
- Decide and record the choice and the reasons.
An example
Compare three destinations (A, B and C). For a budget of $8,000 per person, destination A costs $7,500 and is 4 hours away; B, $9,500 and 10 hours; C, $8,200 and 6 hours. If cost weighs 40%, time 20% and interest 40%, and you score interest (A: 3, B: 5, C: 4), the result may favor A or C, depending on the weights. This is an illustrative example.
Common mistakes
- Comparing with different criteria for each destination.
- Using prices from different seasons.
- Ignoring documentation and insurance costs.
- Giving more weight to what is easy to measure than to what matters.
- Taking old numbers as definitive.