Fam Policies of FIT Operators Differ: Here Are 20 Travel Advisors Should Know
by Kerry Tice
Agency sales production, consortia relationships and even just plain interest round out the qualifications for selection for a familiarization trip by suppliers. Photo: Shutterstock
Most travel professionals would agree that experience is the ideal type of knowledge, which is why, when it comes to familiarization trips, suppliers do their best to ensure travel advisors have the opportunity to see what they sell.
In Travel Market Report’s recently released FIT/Packaged Vacations Report Card for Travel Advisors, we asked 20 independent tour operators what their policy is for fam trips and how travel advisors can qualify. The majority of them are open to the practice, while a few don’t see the value or don’t offer the opportunity. Here’s a glimpse of what they had to say:
African Travel – Agents must complete the African Travel University, attend online training sessions and confirm at least one booking for the current year.
Apple Vacations – Agents should work with their local BDM for criteria, specifics, space and other details.
Authentic Vacations – An agent just needs to make at least one booking with us in a calendar year to qualify.
Avanti Destinations – There are various ways, including: through consortia; contact us to let us know you are interested; keep in contact with your regional sales director (BDM); and have high sales.
Bedsonline/TravelBound – Usually it is based on top sales production.
Blue Sky Tours – Our travel agency sales team approves all agents, based on fam, agency production and opportunity.
Brendan Vacations – It is based on sales and an application process.
Eurobound – We have offered limited fam trips in the past and have found they do not benefit us in developing future business with the agency directly. The best way to develop loyalty is through service.
Europe Express – Interested agents should contact their sales representative for further discussion.
Funjet Vacations – Our travel agency sales team approves all agents, based on fam, agency production and opportunity.
Goway Travel – There are three ways: Passport to Free Fam – book each of our six destinations in one year and receive a free fam; qualify for an escorted fam through sales; and visit gowayagent.com to see self-educational rates.
Journese – Agents should work directly with their business development manager. Please contact sales@ journese.com if you require contact information for your BDM.
Luxury Gold – Through e-learning.
Monograms (Globus family of brands) – Travel agents can visit the Globus family of brands travel agent portal to apply for a travel agent discount or to see special rates on select vacations. They must have four traveled passengers within the last two years to qualify.
Pleasant Holidays – Through your local BDM.
Southwest Vacations – Our travel agency sales team approves all agents, based on fam, agency production and opportunity.
Travel Impressions – Graduates of TI University registered with LoyalTI First can contact their BDM for criteria, specifics, space and other details.
Travel Brands – It is based on sales volume.
United Vacations – Our travel agency sales team approves all agents, based on fam, agency production and opportunity.
Yankee Leisure Group (Yankee Holidays, Railbookers & Amtrak Vacations) – Not applicable.
