As 2025 draws to a close and you’ve got your sights set on an exciting and memorable 2026 full of student travel adventures, we’ve rounded up our top planning tips from the past year. Whether it’s your first or 50th trip, continue reading and keep these helpful tips top of mind for your future planning and organization!
Several factors play into the overall success of a class trip. One of the most integral components relies on something we all wish we had more of—time. And taking advantage of planning your trip early pays off in more ways than one. From increased funds and higher attendance to more time to ensure access to all your preferred itinerary items, planning early always pays big. ETI breaks down the entire planning process so you understand where you’re at every step of the way.
Lack of funds is often the most significant barrier students face when it comes to travel, meaning that a strong fundraising approach is of the utmost importance to make a memorable trip a reality. Platforms such as Snap! Raise, Simple Raise, and Fundly can be an invaluable resource and key to the success of your fundraising efforts.
Planning a student trip is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming without the right partner by your side. A tour operator can make or break the experience, so before you sign on, it’s important to ask the right questions. Get a true idea of what to expect by asking questions such as:
- “What does the student travel planning process look like?”
- “Our goals are focused on ___ and ___. What should I include in my itinerary to accomplish this?”
- “What can you make happen with our budget?”
A well-planned kickoff meeting is more than just an informational session—it’s your first big opportunity to build momentum, generate excitement, and get buy-in from students and parents alike. Whether it’s your first time leading a trip or your tenth, a strong start sets the tone for everything that follows. Highlight ETI’s safety protocols to build trust with parents, rev up the excitement by sharing visuals and stories from past trips, offer a trip planning timeline, and more.
Digital marketing platforms can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you when it comes to marketing and managing the interest in your trip. Consider creating a Google form to track a list of interested students, and consider setting up a trip-specific landing page or webpage with dates, benefits, pricing, deadlines, and an FAQ section. Stay in touch with parents by using email marketing platforms (like Mailchimp) to share any updates and reminders.
Courtesy of ETI.
