Creating a successful travel program requires careful planning.  Whether your represent a museum, an alumni association, or any other special interest group, there are many different ways to structure and operate a successful non-profit travel program.  After more than a half century in the business of non-profit travel, we are happy to pass along our top suggestions:

10 Simple Steps to Developing a Non-Profit Travel Program

Clearly define the purpose of your program from the outset (fundraising, 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 or 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 staff serve as the tour operators, making all the arrangements with airlines, hotels and ground operators; or 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 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.

Never 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 accomodations, staffing, etc.

Decide how to promote your travel program.  Promotion is equally as impoprtant as the actual tour content and programming.  Types of promotions can include individual brochures, letters of invitation, newsletter articles, magazine articles, local media announcements, web and viral marketing strategies, mini catalogs and more.

In brochure design, remember to build recognition and brand identity among your membership.

Target your mailing lists 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 within the program.