Aside from the included activities on a trip, managing free time, facilitating informal gatherings, and attending optional activities during Trova trips can be a great way to add value for your Travelers. In addition to providing enriching experiences, it's crucial to set clear expectations, manage costs, and communicate effectively with your group.
Managing Free Time
Free time offers travelers the opportunity to explore independently and unwind. Here's how hosts can effectively manage free time:
Provide Recommendations: Offer suggestions for nearby attractions, restaurants, and activities to cater to diverse interests.
Respect Individual Choices: Acknowledge that travelers may have different preferences for how they spend their free time and encourage autonomy.
Offer Support: Be available to assist travelers with recommendations, directions, or logistical support to ensure they feel confident in their independent adventures. Feel free to lean on your Guide to help provide this as well!
Get Some R&R: Even if you are in paradise, Hosting can be hard! Remaining constantly engaged and "on" for your community can be taxing. Take the free time to recharge and recenter.
Facilitating Informal Gatherings
Informal gatherings foster camaraderie and create memorable bonding experiences. Here's how Hosts can make the most of informal gatherings:
Suggest Meet-Up Spots: Identify convenient locations for informal gatherings and encourage participation through group announcements.
Paid Activities: Clearly communicate that informal gatherings are not included in the Trova cost, and Travelers will need to pay out of pocket for any activities outside of the itinerary.
Set Expectations: Hosts must communicate on the trip page or in their group chats about any materials/props/supplies that Travelers need to bring on the trip
ex: yoga mats, sketchbooks, journals, art supplies
Attendance: Informal Gatherings should be presented as optional in case Travelers want to use their free time to explore on their own, rest, etc.
Attending Optional Activities
Most trips will have optional activities that Travelers can purchase as an added experience to their trip. This includes things like massages, tours, etc. Hosts are able to attend these for free, while it does increase the overall cost of the trip.
In order for Hosts to participate in optional activities, you must have selected it as part of your trip request. Hosts are unable to attend these if not selected at this stage.
Some key points:
Attendance: Check in with your group to gauge how many people are planning to attend an optional activity. Going on your own may be a good way to get some recharge time. However, it may not provide the best experience for your Travelers.
Increase Cohesion: These activities are usually less formal or guided than other included activities. This means more one-on-one time with members of your group in a smaller setting. Build those relationships!
Have Fun: Our optional activities are always a great way to expand that Trova experience. Ride some bikes, snorkel, get a hot stone massage, and have a great time!
By effectively managing free time, facilitating informal gatherings, and coordinating optional activities, Trova hosts can enhance the overall trip experience and create lasting memories for travelers. Remember to communicate clearly, set realistic expectations, and prioritize Traveler satisfaction throughout the journey.