| |
|  Steps toward developing a non-profit travel program
Creating a successful travel program requires careful planning. Whether you represent a museum, an alumni association, or another special interest group, there are many different ways to structure and operate a travel program. After more than a half a century in the business of non-profit travel, we are happy to pass along our top suggestions: |  | Clearly define the purpose of your program from the outset (fund-raising, benefit of membership, continuing education etc). Identify what department within your organization will oversee the travel program. |  | Determine a style of operation that works within the framework of your organization, such as: A turn-key operation where one or more travel companies handle all of the planning and follow up work with participants; An in-house operation where your staff serves as the tour operator, making all of the arrangements with airlines, hotels and ground operators; A combination of the above. |  | In selecting destinations and shaping actual tour itineraries, be sure to look for the following: The interests of your membership (relate the theme of a tour to the mission of the institution; age and background can help to shape the programming). What resources can you bring to the program? Establish a two-to-three year plan to include a mix of land tours and cruises, with different departure dates and themes so that your programs do not compete with one another. |  | Don’t underestimate the importance of addressing the details, such as: What will the tour cost? Is it affordable to your membership? What is the best gateway for your travelers? How long should the tour be? Pace of the program, lectures, group meals, level of accommodations, staffing. |  | Decide how to promote your travel program. Promotion is equally as important as the actual tour content and programming. Types of promotion include individual brochures, letter of invitation, newsletter article, magazine article, local media announcement, mini-catalog. |  | In brochure design, remember to build recognition and brand identity among your membership. |  | Target your mailing list to reach membership that fits the profile for a group tour traveler. Determine your financial commitment to the travel program. |  | Determine how tour applications, deposits, mailings and tour cancellations will be handled.  |  |
|
|
|
