Group travel is one of the most lucrative opportunities for travel advisors. Booking a group allows you to earn higher commissions, leverage bulk discounts, and create memorable experiences for clients. But where can you find these golden opportunities? If you’re not actively seeking them, you might miss out on valuable, long-term business. Here’s your guide to finding group travel bookings and unlocking their full potential.
1. “Travel with Me” Groups: Tap into Your Network
Small, curated travel groups are trending, and it’s not just about girls’ trips anymore. People are eager to explore destinations with like-minded individuals, and you can organize trips around your own travels. This is an excellent way to showcase your expertise while turning your personal adventures into professional opportunities.
How to Get Started:
- Share your travel plans on social media and invite friends, family, and followers to join. For example, “I’m heading to Iceland in May—come explore the land of fire and ice with me!”
- Choose destinations and themes that align with your interests, like culinary tours, adventure travel, or cultural immersion trips.
- Use your host agency’s tools to manage bookings and itineraries seamlessly.
2. Incentive Travel: Partner with Businesses
Incentive travel is where companies reward employees or teams with trips to celebrate their achievements. Think of it as a “winner’s circle” experience for top performers. Many businesses are looking for unique ways to motivate and recognize their staff—this is where you can shine.
How to Get Started:
- Reach out to local businesses, especially small to mid-sized companies, and propose incentive travel packages.
- Offer customized travel plans that align with the company’s goals, whether it’s a team-building retreat in the mountains or a luxurious Caribbean getaway.
- Highlight how these trips can enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.
3. Romance Travel: Weddings, Vow Renewals, and More
Romance travel is another profitable avenue for group bookings. Destination weddings, vow renewals, and honeymoon trips often involve multiple guests, making them ideal for group travel arrangements. As a bonus, these bookings often come with premium budgets and opportunities for romantic upgrades.
How to Get Started:
- Partner with local wedding planners, photographers, and venues to position yourself as a go-to travel advisor for romance travel.
- Create a specialized marketing campaign targeting couples planning destination weddings or vow renewals.
- Offer value-added services like booking group accommodations, coordinating activities, and organizing seamless transportation for guests.
4. Non-Profit Groups: Travel for a Cause
Non-profits frequently organize group trips for fundraising, education, or mission purposes. Cruise lines often contribute to non-profit organizations, creating an opportunity for you to earn commissions while supporting a meaningful cause.
How to Get Started:
- Connect with local non-profits or charities, if you don’t already, and offer to help plan their next group trip.
- Research cruise lines and tour operators that provide fundraising opportunities and share these details with the organization.
- Emphasize the added value you bring by coordinating logistics and ensuring a seamless experience for participants.
5. Organizations You’re a Part Of: Leverage Your Community
You’re already part of various groups—why not turn those connections into group travel bookings? From knitting clubs to church groups, health clubs, and yoga studios, there are endless possibilities to create group travel experiences.
How to Get Started:
- Propose a travel idea tailored to the interests of the group. For example, “Let’s take our yoga practice to Costa Rica for a wellness retreat!”
- Host an informational session or presentation to gauge interest and share the benefits of group travel.
- Offer group discounts or incentives to encourage participation.
6. Kid’s School Groups: Sports Teams and Clubs
School-related travel is a thriving niche. Whether it’s a sports team competing out of state, a marching band performing in a parade, or a club attending a national competition, these trips require extensive planning and are perfect for group bookings.
How to Get Started:
- Reach out to local schools, sports teams, and parent-teacher organizations to offer your services.
- Highlight your ability to negotiate group discounts for transportation, accommodations, and activities.
- Provide added value for busy parents and faculty by handling all the logistics, from booking flights to creating detailed itineraries.
7. Local Neighborhood Groups or Apartment Communities
Your own community can be a goldmine for group travel opportunities. Local neighbor groups or apartment communities often seek opportunities for social bonding and fun, and travel can be the perfect solution.
How to Get Started:
- Attend neighborhood meetings or events to introduce yourself as a travel advisor specializing in group bookings.
- Post flyers or share information in online community forums about upcoming group trips you’re organizing.
- Create packages that cater to group interests, like weekend getaways, wine tours, or family-friendly destinations.
Final Thoughts: Build Relationships and Keep Growing
Finding group travel bookings requires effort, but the rewards are worth it. By tapping into your personal network, local businesses, and community organizations, you can unlock opportunities to grow your business and earn higher commissions. Remember, your Levarté Travel member resources can help you stay proactive and creative in your marketing and sales approaches. Don’t forget to use the tools in your LevartéHUB to streamline the process. Challenge yourself with one opportunity from this list and watch your business flourish!