Staying in touch during "down time."

In any relationship, communication is important.  No one likes the silent treatment.  Recruiting travelers (sometimes) two years in advance of a trip makes for a lot of "down time."  There seems to be a pattern of peaks and valleys during the typical "tour cycle."  Often, there is a lot of energy when you advertise for an upcoming trip (a peak), and then some "down time" (a valley) before you begin gearing up for departure (another valley).

Here are a few ideas to stay in touch with your enrolled travelers during the "down time" or the valley. 

• Create a monthly/quarterly email news letter.  Checking in every once in a while will keep travelers interested, updated and informed.  Feature a "travel tip" or fun facts about your destination.  Use the newsletter to remind your travelers about applying for a passport, purchasing travel insurance, packing tips.

• Plan a social event, or dinner for your travelers and their families.  What better way to get to know each other, and start dreaming about the upcoming tour.  Going to Italy?  Invite travelers to dinner at the local Italian Restaurant.  Headed to Costa Rica?  Invite the group to take Spanish lessons together.

• Create a blog/vlog or website.  Update your web communication with videos that feature your destination, add a packing list or even host a discussion thread for your travelers to comment and ask questions.  Click on the link to see the website that I created to keep all my travelers on the same page before our tour:  www.raiderworldtraveler.weebly.com

• Use social media.  Create a Facebook page for your tour, and invite your travelers to join.  Use the page to upload photos while on tour.  Prefer Twitter?  Tweet out reminders,  links to articles about your destination, videos and other information.  Join my travel facebook group, and steal all my ideas!  :)  https://www.facebook.com/raiderworldtraveler/

Making an effort to stay in touch with your group will give parents piece of mind, and keep everyone excited about their upcoming tour.  It is important to keep the energy up, and everyone engaged to make sure that your travelers stay enrolled and excited for the tour.  Going the extra mile for our group will give your group more than just a trip, you will be giving them an experience that they will remember for a lifetime.

Have you tried any of these ideas with your group?  How did it go?  What do you do to keep your group engaged?  Comment and let me know!