Ron,
I have lead many group trips over the last 10 years. It truly can be fun and exciting.
A couple of points that may intrest you:
I strongly suggest that you take students to places that you have been before. Your familiarity with the island, the dive sites, operators and marine life will build confidence (and satisfaction) with your travelers. Unfamiliarity, and hesitation can be detrimental. DM and Instructors who live there know the dive sites. If you return to the boat and your students overhear all of the things that the local dm showed thier divers, and your dive was less eventful, your students may lose confidence in you.
If you have never been there, what value can you offer that they could not get from the lds?
Chances are, if you have not dived there, you will need to rely on local dms for briefings.
In order to make these trips happen you need to charge accordingly so that you & your assistant have your expenses covered. In my experience this requires about 6 students per instructor (dm). I find that my target audience is willing to pay a little more for the comfort of knowing that all arrangements are taken care of. New students (and divers) often are unsure about: where to go, who to dive with, where to stay, where to eat etc.. This is where the true value of your presence comes in play.
When we arrive to a destination and the staff (dive, hotel etc.) knows us by name, our clients are impressed.
There are many legal issues as well. Proper documentation. Adding the destination dive center to your "additionally insured" list. A carefully worded contract between you and your customer. There is nothing worse than having a credit card payment reversed (after the trip) because the person is unsatisfied.
People can back out at the last minute too. Be clear on refund policies. Be clear on trip insurance costs. Be clear on who will be held accountable for flight delays, lost vacation time, or accidents that could occur during travel. Immagine getting sued because someone fell down the escalator at the airport.
Of all my tours, only one turned out to be less than satisfactory (for me and my group). This was a trip to a destination that I had not visited before (Sunset House, Grand Cayman). All though the hotel website advertized that renovations of the resort had rescently been completed, upon arrival we found the place to be one big construction site. The rooms were in need of renovation, musty, dirty, poor a/c, cracked windows, etc. The rooms were advertized as "ocen view". However to see the ocean one had to lean far out of the window (with your roomie holding your legs so you wouldn't fall out. There was however a great view of the compressor and rinse tank.
The dive staff (for the most part) shunned us. Treated us like idiots, and IMO were quite rude. I think they felt that we were taking tips out of their pockets. We usually tip the staff handsomely at the weeks end (not in this case tho) Students definatly pick up on these things. Although most problems were out of our control, the impression is reflected on us.
We did not enter this situation blindly. I had communication with Sunset House well in advance via phone and email. We even confirmed 2 days prior to arrival. However, we arrived and they were not expecting us. I don't blame the operator, I blame myself for taking a group to an unfamiliar destination.
On a lighter note. Trips to familiar destinations have been very sucessful. For example, after 19 trips to Aruba, I know all of the dive sites very well. I can preform dive briefings that are (IMO) much more thorough and interesting than the locals. I can provide an intricate tour of the 400ft Antilla wreck. I can direct my customers to quality restaurants and other activities.
I find that it is the little things that make the biggest impression. We usually provide a surprise gift on departure (ie: snorkel light, dry box, customized log book pages etc).Upon check in, each room contains a fruit basket, bottle of wine and a personal card from me. On the last night we arrange a small party for our group which includes dinner and coctails. On one tour I chartered a private 60 foot sail boat for a 2 hour sunset sail, they LOVED it (only cost me 15 bucks per person, but what an impression!)
Also be aware up front that this is a lot of hard work. You need to handle EVERYTHING. It is difficult to stick to a pre-determined schedule. People on vacation tend to want to be somewhat spontaneos. I find myself getting up at 6am and working hard all day. If someone misses one of their training dives, you need to reschedule some time to complete it etc.
I have found that including some topside activites helps as well. (ie: in Bonaire we lead a jeep tour through Washington Slagbaii Natl Park). Often you can receive tremendous deals from car rental companies by reserving well ahead for your group.
I also suggest having each individual fill out an evaluation BEFORE ARRIVING HOME. Ask questions like: What was the best part..., what was the least enjoyable part.., suggestions for future trips, Was the price a good value, would you travel with us again, Was the room satisfactory, etc
Feel free to pm me for additional info. I could sit here an type all day on this subject. But for now, I must go.
Good luck,
Andrew
