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If you’re a travel influencer or blogger like me, you might be wondering how to turn your travel-loving audience into actual guests on your own group trip, hosted by you.
That’s what I wanted. And it’s what I did.
While my blog focuses heavily on solo travel, group travel is also something I’m deeply passionate about.
On so many of my solo trips, the best moments came from joining day tours and connecting with other travelers from around the world.
I started to realize that I didn’t just love travel. I loved what happened when people came together because of it.
At some point, the idea hit me. I should be curating my own group trips.
To be fair, the idea originated from TrovaTrip, a platform that essentially handles the entire trip for you.
All you do is promote it. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that wasn’t what I really wanted. I wanted to create the experience myself. I wanted more control, more intention, and something that felt like me.
So I did what most people do when they’re starting something new. I Googled everything I could. I looked for answers on how to plan and launch a group trip. And eventually, I just went for it.
It was messy. It was exciting. And it taught me a lot.
There were things that caught me off guard, and others that worked beautifully. I knew I had to share what I learned because so many people in the travel space want to build community, but don’t know how to take that first step.
That’s what this post is about. If you’ve been thinking about hosting your own small group trip, I want to show you how to actually make it happen.
Join the How to Host & Sell Group Tour Workshop
Be ready to host your own group tour with this helpful workshop!
Is It Better to Use a Hosted Platform For Your Group Tour?
There’s definitely some appeal to using a hosted platform like TrovaTrip. If you’re not the most organized person or you get overwhelmed by logistics, it can be a helpful option. Most of the planning is done for you, and all you really have to do is show up and promote the trip.
Just a little something for you to consider… Even when someone else is handling the details, your name is still on the experience. If something goes wrong, your guests won’t blame the platform. They’ll blame you.
That’s the part I couldn’t ignore. I didn’t want to hand over the itinerary or hotel choices to someone I’d never met. I wanted to ensure that everything reflected my standards and brand.
Taking control of the trip planning was one of the best decisions I made. It let me create exactly the kind of travel experience I would want to go on myself.
You can see the results in what my travelers have said. Check out my Google reviews and what people are saying about me on WeTravel, the platform I use to manage my trips.
Why I Love Hosting My Own Group Tours
Like I mentioned earlier, I want full control over what we do, where we stay, and how I run the experience, including how much I earn.
When I plan my own trips, I have the freedom to make changes, offer upgrades, or adjust the itinerary if something better comes along. I can pivot based on my travelers’ needs, and make decisions that feel right for my business.
That kind of flexibility matters to me. When you go through a hosted platform or work with a DMC, you often lose that control. Someone else is calling the shots, and you’re left to work around their structure and pricing.
Hosting my own trips has allowed me to design experiences that feel personal and intentional, and it’s given me the ability to build something truly my own.
On one of my recent trips, I made a last-minute decision to switch one excursion to a family-run cooking class. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but I knew it would be special, and it was. Everyone loved it, and that class ultimately became one of the trip’s highlights. I never could have done that through a pre-set platform.
Those little choices add up to a better experience for everyone. That’s why I’ll always choose to host my trips independently.
What You Really Need to Get Started with a Group Trip/Tour
Think you need a huge following? Good news! You don’t.
When I launched my first group trip, I had around 6,000 followers, and it sold out in less than a month.
What matters more than numbers is connection. You need an engaged audience that shares your passion for travel and is interested in the places you discuss most.
Choose a destination you know and they already love
If you’re always posting about Italy and your audience can’t get enough, that’s your sign. Go to a place you’re familiar with, because it will help you plan with confidence and add those personal touches that make the trip stand out.
Poll your audience and build a rough itinerary
Begin with a straightforward poll on Instagram or via email. Ask what destinations they’re excited about, how long they want to travel, and what kind of experience they’re looking for.
Once you’ve got some interest, build a rough outline of your trip. Don’t forget to ask about budget ranges. This will guide your hotel and activity research in a realistic direction.
How to Price Group Tours
Here’s the simple version of how to price:
- Add up the total cost of the trip per person (hotels, transfers, tours, meals you’re covering, etc.)
- Add your costs to attend (flights, hotel, meals, insurance)
- Then apply your markup. Most creators use a percentage that reflects the time, effort, and value they’re offering.
The goal isn’t just to break even, it’s to pay yourself for the work you’re doing to lead and host the experience.
Work With Me One-on-One
I offer one-on-one coaching that includes a tour itinerary review and promotion of your tour to my exclusive mailing list of +4,000 and to my private Facebook group of 2,800. *I offer a €100 discount for this service if you join the workshop.
Use tools to manage bookings and guests
When it’s time to bring your trip to life, you’ll need a system to keep things organized.
I personally use WeTravel. It lets me collect payments, share trip details, and keep everything in one place. You can explore other platforms as well, but whichever you choose, make sure to do your research.
Collecting money for a group trip isn’t as simple as sending a Venmo link. There are legal and financial responsibilities involved. I’m not a lawyer, so I can’t offer legal advice, but this is something you should take seriously before launching your trip.
I also utilize a few additional tools that aid in planning, communication, and streamlining the experience. I walk through all of them in detail in my ‘How to Launch Group Tours’ workshop.
The Hard Parts of Hosting Group Tours People Don’t Talk About
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Hosting group trips isn’t for everyone.
You really need to ask yourself how much you enjoy being around people, especially people you’ve never met before. You’ll be with them a lot. Group meals, early mornings, and constant interaction. If that drains you, it’s something to seriously think about.
You’re not just the one who plans the trip. You’re the one holding it all together. You’re the go-to person when things go wrong. If you’re not prepared to take on that role, it might not be the right fit for you.
Travel is unpredictable. Flights get delayed. Trains stop running. Weather changes everything. And when that happens, your group isn’t calling the airline or the hotel. They’re coming to you.
This isn’t just about picking cute hotels and posting photos. It’s about leading. It’s about staying calm, thinking fast, and showing up for your people.
If that scares you a little, that’s normal. If it makes you shut down completely, it’s worth pausing before you move forward.
A Quick Reality Check on Expectations vs. Reality
People think it’s sipping Aperol with the group on a balcony. And yes, there are those moments. But they don’t see the 6 am wake-up calls, the late-night messages from guests, or the moment you realize a vendor ghosted.
You’re leading something real, and it’s work. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do.
What I’ve learned that makes a great trip
A great trip isn’t just about checking off sightseeing boxes. It’s about energy. It’s about flow. It’s knowing when to build in downtime, when to leave room for spontaneity, and when to gather your group for a dinner that becomes the memory they’ll talk about for years.
The Moment That Made It All Worth It
On one of my trips, a guest pulled me aside and said, “I’ve never traveled internationally before, and I never thought I could. This trip changed how I see myself.” That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a fun side project. It was something real.
That’s exactly why I created my How to Launch Group Tours workshop. Because this can be done, and it can be done well, but only if you have the right tools, clear guidance, and the mindset to follow through.
So if you’re ready to stop overthinking and start building your own group trip…
That’s where my How to Launch Group Tours workshop comes in.
This isn’t just a bunch of ideas or vague advice. I walk you through the real steps I’ve taken to plan, price, and launch my own sold-out group trips — without using a hosted platform and without handing over control to someone else.
Whether you’re still in the early idea stage or you’ve tried to launch before and got stuck, this workshop will give you the clarity and confidence you’ve been looking for.
You’ll learn how to:
- Choose a destination that’s a perfect fit for you and your audience
- Build an itinerary that actually flows and feels intentional
- Price your trip for profit, not just to cover your costs
- Understand what you need legally before taking payments
- Promote your trip even if you don’t have a huge following
You’ll also get my personal Notion template — the same one I use to track my trip budget, guest info, payments, daily schedule, and profit margins. It’s like a full group trip dashboard that keeps everything in one place.
And to make sure you’re supported, I’m including:
- A live Q&A call where you can ask me anything
- A trip readiness workbook to help you plan with intention
- Launch templates like waitlist emails, early bird announcements, and DM scripts
- A replay of the call in case you can’t attend live
This is everything I wish I had when I was getting started. If hosting a trip has been on your heart, this is your roadmap.
