SMS template · Marketing
Group Departure Announcement SMS Template for Travel Agencies & Tour Operators
A ready-to-adapt SMS message for travel agencies and tour operators, with placeholders, sample values and compliance notes.
When to Send This Message
Send to opted-in travellers. For travel agencies and tour operators, this is one of the everyday messages that keeps travellers informed without a phone call. It can be sent manually from a panel at first and automated later through an API.
Travellers compare packages online, ask many questions on WhatsApp and expect quick, clear itineraries.
The SMS Template
India (DLT format)
[Business Name]: Group departure to {#var#} on {#var#}. Limited seats. Reply YES for the itinerary or call {#var#}.
To opt out, SMS STOP to [opt-out number].International (plain text)
[Business Name]: Group departure to {destination} on {date}. Limited seats. Reply YES for the itinerary or call {phone}.
Reply STOP to opt out.Example with sample values
[Business Name]: Group departure to Bhutan on 15 Jan. Limited seats. Reply YES for the itinerary or call 98XXXXXXXX. To opt out, SMS STOP to [opt-out number].
With these sample values the message is 162 characters in the standard GSM-7 character set, which is 2 SMS parts (square brackets count as two characters each). Long links or local-language (Unicode) text increase the count, as Unicode SMS allow 70 characters per single part.
Replace [Business Name] with your registered brand name. Links shown use example.com as a placeholder; use your own domain.
Placeholders and Sample Values
| Placeholder | Meaning | Sample value |
|---|---|---|
| {#var#} | Destination | Bhutan |
| {#var#} | Date | 15 Jan |
| {#var#} | Phone | 98XXXXXXXX |
Filling in each placeholder
- Destination (sample: Bhutan): Keep the value short and specific; test the longest realistic value to check the message still reads well.
- Date (sample: 15 Jan): Write dates in an unambiguous form such as 14 Oct or 14 Oct 2026; avoid formats like 10/11 that customers read differently.
- Phone (sample: 98XXXXXXXX): Use a number the customer can actually reach during business hours, ideally one already shown on your website.
This template has 3 placeholders and a body of 120 characters before values are filled in. Shorter messages cost less and are more likely to be read in full; aim to keep the filled-in message within one or two SMS parts.
Category and Approval
In India this is a Promotional template. It can only be sent to customers who have not blocked promotional messages, within the permitted time window, from a promotional header. Include an opt-out instruction as required by your operator.
Compliance Checklist
- The header (sender ID) and the template are registered on a DLT platform, and the template text matches exactly, apart from the variables.
- Each {#var#} holds only the kind of value it was registered for; most platforms limit each variable to 30 characters.
- Any link uses a domain whitelisted for your header, as TRAI requires for URLs in commercial SMS.
Rules to keep in mind for Travel Agencies & Tour Operators
Package prices in ads should state what is included and applicable taxes such as GST and TCS on overseas packages. Passport and visa data is sensitive and must be shared only over secure channels.
General guidance, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm current requirements before launch. See our SMS compliance guide for India.
Tips for Better Results
- Limit frequency; a few relevant messages perform better and attract fewer opt-outs than frequent broadcasts.
- Send only to people who have opted in, and record when and where they did so.
Getting the group departure announcement message right
Give the meeting point, the reporting time, the tour manager's contact and the documents to carry, such as passport and visa copies.
Where this message fits for Travel Agencies & Tour Operators
Travellers start with inspiration on social media or search, request quotes for packages, compare itineraries and prices, and ask many questions before paying a deposit. After booking they need documents, visa reminders and travel updates; after the trip, they are open to the next holiday offer.
Instagram and YouTube inspire; search captures destination and package searches; WhatsApp is the main channel for quotes and itinerary changes; SMS sends flight alerts and document reminders; email delivers seasonal deals to past clients.
Campaign ideas that pair with this template
- Early-booking campaigns for school holidays and festive periods
- Visa and document reminder sequences after booking
- Anniversary messages a year after a trip with a new destination idea
Need this SMS template set up?
We register, submit and connect templates for you, and send test messages before launch.
Questions About This Template
When should a travel agency send the group departure announcement message?
Send to opted-in travellers. If customers reply, make sure someone on your team monitors and answers.
Can I send this SMS in India without DLT registration?
No. Commercial SMS in India must use a header and a content template registered on a DLT platform. Messages that do not match a registered template are blocked by the operator.
Which DLT category should I choose for this group departure announcement message?
Usually Promotional. The final category depends on your entity type, the consent you hold and your operator's guidelines, and we confirm it during registration.
Can DND Teams set this up for my travel agency?
Yes. We adapt the template to your business, register or submit it, and connect it to your software or our panel. Share your use case on WhatsApp or through the form.
Related Templates
More SMS templates for Travel Agencies & Tour Operators
This message on other channels
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