TTC Tour Brands is offering three FAM opportunities in 2023 for advisors to get first-hand experiences with its portfolio of brands including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Costsaver, Contiki and Luxury Gold.
The FAMs include an itinerary to the American South, an Italy FAM for Independent Travel Consultants and a FAM in Croatia, specifically designed for Insight Vacations.
“Travel advisors have always been key to our sales proposition and now more than ever, we understand the importance of hands-on, personal experiences to interact with and understand each of our brands,” says Melissa DaSilva, President TTC Tour Brands North America.
“Consumers seek advisors for their incredible depth of knowledge and through these new FAMs, as well as our suite of travel advisor programs, we’re giving them the tools to guide clients from the inspiration journey to the sale, setting them up for success across our brands.”
Each trip includes chances for advisors to learn about the different aspects of a guided trip from each of the brands and the experiences that make each one unique. Travel advisors will also be able to meet with fellow agents from across North America to build more connections within the industry.
Canadian travel advisors interested in taking part in these FAM’s can apply for the Taste & Sounds of the South FAM here, for the ITC Italy FAM here and for the Croatia FAM here. TTC notes there is limited availability for the ITC Italy FAM.
Here are more details about each of the three FAM’s:
Independent Travel Consultants Italy FAM trip: 24-30MAR, 2023.
This is the first ever multi-brand trip exclusively for independent travel advisors, and will showcase the range of offerings across TTC Tour Brands Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations and Contiki at one of the sales division’s most popular destinations, Italy.
This FAM will focus on educating advisors on how to grow their independent travel agencies with TTC Tour Brands. Advisors will have one-of-a-kind experiences in iconic cities including Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa and more.
Advisors will experience a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience in Perugia with a visit to an artisanal workshop to learn about the art of loom-weaving textiles from Marta a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant and in Venice during a visit to a traditional arts centre to learn about the art of glassblowing.
In Rome and Florence advisors will take both pasta and risotto cooking classes similar to what would be experienced on a Contiki and a Trafalgar ‘Be My Guest’ dinner in Tuscany. In Florence, travellers will have the choice of tours similar to a Costsaver Choice Optional Experience and in Venice advisors will cruise the Venetian lagoon to Burano and enjoy an Insight Celebration Dinner with local wines.
Insight Vacations’ Captivating Croatia FAM trip: 07 - 13MAY, 2023.
The FAM to the popular Insight Vacations’ destination begins in Zagreb with a city tour by a Local Expert to sites including the iconic Mirogoj City Cemetery, Ban Jelačić Square and St. Mark’s Church. Next, advisors will escape the city and venture to Plitvice National Park where they’ll have the choice of two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences—joining a Local Expert to learn how research is monitored on the natural species of the park or to meet with the industrious women of the Tara Community Center who produce handicrafts that work to employ those in the local community.
Venture to the Old Town of Split where travelers will explore the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, St. Duje and the Temple of Jupiter before enjoying dinner in a traditional konoba. On the way to Dubrovnik, advisors will make a stop at the fishing village of Mali Ston where guests try oysters straight from the sea. In Dubrovnik, advisors can enjoy the view from the seaside hotel before making their way to the city streets for a tour.
Spend the last full day in Croatia exploring the Pearl of the Adriatic with a Dubrovnik Pass. Travellers can hike the city walls or explore the museums before embarking on a dazzling cruise around the city. End the trip with a Celebration dinner of local specialties and a glass of grappa.
Taste & Sounds of the South FAM Trip: 08 - 15MAY, 2023.
This FAM is an adventure through the Southern United States and is open to travel advisors from around the globe.
It begins in Nashville and ends in New Orleans. Each day of the trip is allotted to a different TTC Tour Brand between Trafalgar, Costsaver, Contiki, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold. Advisors will have the opportunity to stay at accommodations and participate in activities unique to each brand.
For example, on the Costsaver day in Memphis, advisors will be able to tailor the itinerary to their interests with the choice between two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences such as a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum with a local specialist or a tour of the city’s musical heritage from the nation’s only music bus.
On the Trafalgar Day in Natchez, advisors will enjoy a ‘Be My Guest’ dinner of Southern food and punch at the Lansdowne Plantation that has been preserved for 160 years to maintain the original and historically accurate look of the home.
