A Successful Tour Promotion

 
 

As in all projects there are some approaches and methods that are time-tested and experience-tested. The following suggestions will help you start and carry through successfully. The most effective means, in general, is the person-to-person invitation and enlistment of tour members. Scattered and broadside efforts are usually negatively received. On the other hand, a happy, congenial touring group results from carefully given invitations, imaginatively extended and enthusiastically followed up! 

1. START EARLY!

  • Set the departure date at least six months in the future.

  • Whenever possible, start promotion before brochures are printed.

  • Collect deposits as soon as interest is expressed.

2. SHARE YOUR EXCITEMENT! Enthusiasm is catching!

  • Repeated individual contacts and invitations are best.

  • Extend a serious invitation to two people EVERY DAY!

  • Use the telephone for those you cannot see personally.

3. SPREAD THE INFORMATION!

  • Send a letter of invitation to all friends, family, church or club members, and associates.

  • Get editorial support in local newspaper, church paper and local TV/radio.

  • Place frequent small “ads” in professional publications or local paper early on.

  • Use your office, school or church newsletter, magazine, newspaper, bulletin boards.

  • Ask associates to mention the tour in their media.

  • Show slides to as many small groups as possible.

  • Ask those who enroll to suggest prospects.

  • Be positive in all statements. Say "I AM GOING".

4. STRESS THE BENEFITS!

  • Spiritual enrichment and refreshment with congenial companions.

  • Bible study becomes more relevant and history comes alive.

  • New ideas and horizons broadened.

  • Appreciation of other cultures.

  • All details prearranged.

  • Benefits of group travel (individual airfares and land arrangements are usually several hundred dollars more).

  • Memories for a life-time.

  • Right leadership, right companionship, right time!!!

5. SIGN THEM UP!

  • Collect deposits early.

  • Send welcome letter to tour members along with travel information.

  • Suggest tour members find roommate and give you other names to recruit.

  • Six weeks before departure send in final payment.

 

The Sale Begins When the Client Says “NO!” 

  • From experience, we know that people, are almost always too polite to say “NO”. Therefore, even the “YES” that you just heard may not mean their participation. When they say “NO” the first time, try again. Soft sell is ideal with friends and neighbors. If they wish to join your tour, they really mean the YES that you just heard. But promises are not money! Sign them up while they are still enthused about the tour. Collect the deposit to confirm reservations immediately. Passengers who pay the deposit are the best advertisement for the tour.

 

Excuses!

  • I DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE THE TIME! 
    This is a point you could remedy. You will only need an hour or two after work. You also have your days off. You can make it! Our suggestion: USE THE PHONE! Think of the best approach to each one. Call your associates and get an appointment. Tell them about your tour and invite them to come along. Maybe you can convince one or more to work with you on forming the tour. 

  • THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE SELLING TOURS!
    There are still thousands of people in your area who have never traveled abroad and still want to go. We are selling a carefully planned itinerary plus SERVICE at competitive prices. Lama Tours offers you the highest benefits and our prices are competitive. We, however, will not sacrifice quality for cost. The quality of hotel accommodations throughout the tour is superior first class or deluxe; our tours feature the finest guides, modern air conditioned buses, all entrance fees, local taxes, service charges and the finest in travel arrangements.

Ethical Selling!

  • Be sure not to promise anything we are not able to fulfill. We are not anxious to develop dissatisfied customers. Our tours speak for themselves. You can assure them of our personal attention and cooperation. If there are any special requests, let us know before the group departure. 

  • Talk about the advantages of traveling with Lama Tours. Repeat our standard policy of No Optional Tours, and that most meals and all tours are included, and there are NO hidden costs. We use IATA scheduled carriers -- NO CHARTERS. We avoid unnecessary bussing, boating or herding of people.

  • Talk less about competition. Be as aggressive as you need to be, but use good judgment all the time. We are not here to monopolize the market -- but to offer the best available quality travel. 

  • In the face of competition, think positive: "My competitors do more for me than my friends. My friends are too polite to point out my weaknesses, but my competitors go to great expense to advertise them. My competitors are efficient, diligent, attentive and would take my business away from me if they could. They keep me alert and make me search for ways to improve my products and services. If I had no competitors I would be lazy, incompetent and inattentive. I need the discipline they enforce upon me. I salute my competitors. They have been good to me. God bless them all!"

KEEP ON WORKING!

  • "Quitters never win, and winners never quit!" Call or write your area representative for help. We are here to serve you and would welcome the opportunity to be of assistance. Remember: You are earning the highest benefits and your clients will have a successful "trip of a lifetime" and a superior first class tour. Lama Tours is with you on both sides of the ocean and during your promotion. If you encounter any serious problems or questions that are not covered in our site , then please write or call your sales representative or Lama Tours.
 

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