Why the family discount?

[campchick]

Outfitters, and I am one of them, like to encourage fishermen to bring along their children and expose them to the fun of fishing. It is a money loser for us because the air services do not give us a break on flying. If the airplane has 8 seats there is no distinction between a 12 year old or a 21 year old using it. We take a loss so that families can better afford to take their children fishing. I guess we need to brush up on "making a living 101". Sometimes, but not always, is the gesture appreciated.

[Ogoki]

I have many fly-in canoe trips . I have always paid a charter rate for the plane . When it is just my wife and I we split it two ways . When we have four it is spilt four ways . They have never charged me a per person rate .

[Fisherman Ted]

Also speaking as an outfitter it is a sound business decision in the long term. When going from one or two guys to a family of 6 the price would go up substantially obviously. Pricing often times is a strong barrier to entry in any activity, certainly when talking about lodges. If we charged first time 6 year-olds full price I'm not sure many parents would think 'gee, let's take a trip with our kids' and hope they like it'. If we can't get the family to come an entire trip would be lost.

I can think of few businesses that charge full price for families.

Speaking as a father it is a wonderful thing to get a child hooked on fishing, something they will enjoy the rest of their life and an activity you can enjoy together. Not many things you can say that about.

As an outfitter, yes we may take a hit here and there. But its pretty heartwarming to see multi-generational trips, of which we have many. Watching a grandfather with his grandson or daughter on their first trip is probably the sweetest thing I see each summer.

Fisherman Ted

[tooski]

Good post Ted. As grandfatherhood (?) approaches I absolutely agree with you. My post was mainly questioning the fly-in costs. Certainly there are costs associated with lodge fishing but I think discounting the cost of a fly-in was my main question. And if my sons ever get it in gear i would be happy to come up to your place for a week and do the grandfather thing.

[dogrodder]

It makes it easier for Dad to talk Mom into agreeing with the fishing trip.

[Catman59]

I will honestly say that if my first trip to Canada wasnt a "family special" , I or my family would never have experienced it. As a Dad who pays the whole bill ( no dividing up ) we are on our 12th year as a family. Yes 2 of my "kids" are in their 20s and college. I still pay their way and will continue to as long I can afford it. We still get the family discount and sure appreciate it.

[tooski]

"We still get the family discount "......
.

See Cat there's the hangup. I have yet to see a really good answer on why my 20 year olds are no longer eligible for the "family" discount. The closest answer was the one that said they wanted to "start them young" and thus the discount. Well being in your 20's is still "young" in Canada fishing terms. Again- it is not a money issue to me. I just don't get how you can discount a 16 year old and not a 25 year old.

Here is the reason your 20 or 25 year old should havea job and pay his own way. He already gets to by on your insurance to 26. What more do they need.

[Fisherman Ted]

Tooski,

Its a judgement call. If you want we can charge 10 year-olds full price. But as discussed, we want to get the families in. However at some point they become adults, have jobs and in theory are paying their own way. Most camps make that cut-off around 16. That is also the age where the kids now want their own boats, and our costs start to shoot up. 2 young kids with mom and dad in a boat is one thing. Four 18 year-olds in 3 boats is quite another.

Where does it end? Should we give discounts to 40 year olds?

[tooski]

Well I have seen camps that give discounts to senior citizens, 40 is getting close.lolol
I did not think about 18 year olds wanting their own boats etc. I imagine they are a bit rough on the equipment. Where does it end is probably the best point. Thanks again for the clarification.