What are the best ways to follow up with clients after their travel experience?

1 Timing is everything

The first rule of following up is to do it at the right time. You don't want to contact your clients too soon or too late after their trip. Too soon, and they might be busy unpacking, settling in, or dealing with jet lag. Too late, and they might have forgotten some details, lost interest, or moved on to other things. A good rule of thumb is to send a follow-up message within a week of their return date, or even better, on the day they come back. This way, you can catch them when they are still excited and happy about their travel experience, and show them that you care about their satisfaction.

2 Choose the right channel

The second rule of following up is to choose the right channel for your communication. Depending on your client's preferences, you can use email, phone, text, social media, or even a handwritten note. The key is to use the channel that they are most comfortable with, and that matches the tone and purpose of your message. For example, if you want to get a quick and casual feedback, you can use text or social media. If you want to get a more detailed and formal testimonial, you can use email or phone. If you want to add a personal touch and stand out, you can use a handwritten note or a small gift.

3 Provide value and incentive

The third rule of following up is to provide value and incentive for your clients to respond and engage with you. You don't want to just ask them how their trip was and leave it at that. You want to offer them something that will benefit them, such as useful tips, relevant information, exclusive offers, or loyalty rewards. You also want to incentivize them to share their feedback, testimonials, referrals, or repeat bookings with you, by giving them discounts, vouchers, freebies, or prizes. The more value and incentive you provide, the more likely your clients will appreciate your follow-up and take action.

4 Be respectful and grateful

The fourth rule of following up is to be respectful and grateful for your clients' time and attention. You don't want to spam them with too many messages, pressure them to do something they don't want to do, or make them feel guilty or obligated. You want to respect their privacy, preferences, and boundaries, and ask for their permission before sending them anything. You also want to express your gratitude for their trust, support, and feedback, and show them how much you value their relationship. A simple thank you, a sincere compliment, or a heartfelt appreciation can go a long way in making your clients feel special and loyal.

5 Keep the conversation going

The fifth rule of following up is to keep the conversation going with your clients and maintain the connection. You don't want to follow up once and then forget about them until the next time they book a trip with you. You want to stay in touch with them regularly, but not too frequently, and share relevant and interesting content, updates, and news with them. You also want to invite them to join your online community, newsletter, or blog, and encourage them to interact with you and other clients. The more you keep the conversation going, the more you can build trust, rapport, and loyalty with your clients, and increase your chances of getting more business from them.