A traveller who is thinking about a tour package usually checks four things before they message: whether the dates suit them, what the price includes, whether the operator is reliable and what happens if plans change. A tour website that answers all four on the package page gets more serious enquiries, and fewer messages that go nowhere.
This article explains how to present those four things clearly.
The dates, shown first
Put the departure dates at the top of the package page, or the months the tour runs if it's flexible. Show how many days the tour lasts, and whether it's a fixed departure or can be arranged for a group. A traveller who can't find a date that works will leave before they read anything else.
What the price includes
List what's included, such as the transport within the tour, the hotels, the meals, the entry fees and the guide, and show what isn't included, such as personal expenses, airfare where it's not included and tips. Put this next to the price, not in a footnote, because the price on its own can be misleading.
Registrations and reliability
Travellers want to know the operator is legitimate. Show your registrations and memberships where you hold them, with any registration numbers the rules require. Describe how long you've been operating only if that's accurate, and give a clear way to contact a person. Don't use another operator's logo, and don't claim a membership or award you haven't received.
Cancellations and changes
Explain the cancellation and change policy in plain words, with the dates and the percentages or amounts that apply. Say what happens if the operator has to change or cancel the tour, and how the traveller is refunded in that case. Travellers are much more willing to book when they understand the terms before they pay.
An enquiry that starts the right conversation
Ask for the destination, the preferred dates, the number of travellers, the budget range and a phone number. Say that a quote follows and what it depends on, such as the number of travellers and the accommodation chosen. Keep the form short, so the traveller can finish it in a minute.
Keep departures current
A package with dates that have passed is one of the quickest ways to lose trust. Remove or update each departure as soon as it changes, and mark sold-out departures clearly.
Quick checklist
- Show the departure dates at the top of each package page.
- List what is included and what is not, next to the price.
- Show registrations and memberships only where you hold them.
- Explain the cancellation and change policy, with dates and amounts.
- Explain what happens if the operator changes or cancels the tour.
- Remove or mark departures as soon as they change.
What to do next
The travel agency websites page shows how package pages, inclusions and the enquiry section usually fit together. The layout behind this is covered on the business websites page, which suits any travel agency building its first site. Start with the date list and the inclusions for your most popular tour, because those two things decide whether a traveller reads on.