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How to Sell a Summer Student Trip at School

Tips to Market Foreign Tours to Students and Parents

Apr 3, 2009 Michael Streich

There are many ways to successfully market a student summer tour and achieve desired enrollment numbers even in a weak economy.

Marketing a student summer abroad trip is not difficult, even given the poor economic times. Parents and students must be made aware that there is probably no better time to invest in a life-changing experience while promoting global awareness in the classroom and in the lives of individual students. The US dollar has gained strength against other world currencies and in many countries desperate for tourists, lodging and meal costs have been slashed. There are a number of things teachers can do to make summer students tours a reality.

Informational Meetings

Roll out the proposed tour or a series of tour options at one or more informational meetings for students and parents. If possible, have students that have traveled on past trips give testimonials. If the tour provider offers a DVD highlighting student travel, plan to show it. To increase attendance, give a door prize and offer refreshments. Ask local merchants to “sponsor” a meeting by donating the prize while gaining an advertising benefit.

Early Enrollment Incentives

Some tour companies already offer early enrollment incentives to potential participants. Depending on what is appropriate and affordable, teachers might offer a small incentive to the first ten or fifteen students enrolling on the tour. This could be a low denomination phone card or an organizer.

Using Websites

Most teachers maintain a website through their school communities. These can be used to promote the trip, provide timely updates, and post pictures of the places to be visited. Additionally, student tour providers also maintain websites that in many cases help to sell your tour. Some are very elaborate, providing all kinds of useful information from destination descriptions to tips on what to pack as well as fun quizzes on foreign locations.

Pictures and Posters

Decorate classroom walls with pictures and posters of the tour destination. Some travel agencies will gladly donate old posters to teachers. Official tourist offices for the countries to be visited will also provide literature, including posters, upon request. Additionally, major cities facilitate tourist offices that frequently mail promotional material. Trips can also be advertised on bulletin boards that hang in school hallways or lobby areas.

School Community Publications

Teachers can market tours through a variety of school community publications:

The school newspaper
Periodic parent mailings
The school Yearbook or Annual

Summer Trips and School Clubs

If the school sponsors trips every summer, an excellent way to keep interest alive in upcoming trips is through a “Trip Club” or a “Travel Club.” Not only can students share past tour experiences, pictures, and video, they can bring in music, food, and other examples of culture. Teachers can show longer travel films highlighting the destinations, providing a learning experience that is only one step from actually being there.

Highlighting Academic Enrichment

Although a student summer trip can be the “trip of a life-time,” it is an educational experience that builds upon classroom learning. Walking through Versailles is the highest level of experience on the learning pyramid. Additionally, students are exposed to global awareness. Contrary to belief, even a 2-week experience abroad provides lasting impressions on students.

The copyright of the article How to Sell a Summer Student Trip at School in Middle/High School is owned by Michael Streich. Permission to republish How to Sell a Summer Student Trip at School in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Student Group in Munich