South African travel agents have called for a revamp of fam trips, emphasising the need for single rooms, fewer site inspections and more free time to experience destinations just as their clients would.
Fam trips, designed to give travel agents first-hand knowledge of hotels and destinations, are often jam-packed with site visits and scheduled activities.
However, many agents argue that this approach is counterproductive.
Travel News turned to the OpenJaw (Facebook) community, asking agents what they would like to change or see more of on fam trips.
Single rooms and smaller groups
One of the top requests from travel agents is for single rooms during fam trips.
"Single rooms!" emphasises Wanita Kerr. "And free time to experience a resort/property/destination like our clients would. This equips agents to answer questions like, 'How long does it take to walk to the…' or 'How much does a ... cost?'"
Cheryl Walker agrees, adding that smaller groups would improve the experience.
"Single rooms, fewer hotels, so you can actually remember them and experience what the hotel offers. And smaller groups – average 12 at the most," she says.
Fewer site inspections
Many agents believe that cramming too many hotel visits into a short period diminishes the value of the trip.
"Going to five hotels in one day is not fun, and you really can't remember one hotel room from another. Slow it down!" an anonymous agent says.
Michelle Kaye echoes this sentiment: "A hotel room is a hotel room. Fam trips should not be solely focused on the hotels. Agents should be immersed in the culture of the destination and experience it as a client would."
More free time
One of the biggest concerns is the lack of free time to explore the destination in a way that mirrors a client’s experience.
"Fam trips are not only about doing loads of site visits but also about being able to experience the destination. And also the hotel where you’re staying," says Rene Simpson.
"One of the most important things I feel is necessary on a fam trip is to give some time to take it in, breathe and have free time to absorb everything," Simpson adds.
Deanne Hunter highlights how experiencing a hotel independently can make a difference.
"I did a fam trip to Mauritius last year and saw seven hotels. It was a busy schedule, but I had some free time daily. Six weeks later, I made a personal trip and stayed at one of the hotels I saw on my fam trip. Doing it independently, I got to experience the hotel as a client would. This was extremely beneficial, and I could tell my clients in detail what to expect."
Alternative approaches
Some agents suggest alternative formats for fam trips.
Leigh Mitchell proposes a more interactive approach: "Experiencing the destination is very important. Maybe an ‘Amazing Race’ kind of itinerary that gets you exploring, mixed with hotel inspections."
Others, like Glenda Ingram, prefer industry rates that allow agents to explore destinations on their own schedules.
"As an ITC, it's more difficult to leave your desk to have a holiday and attend fam trips. Fam trips are also super expensive now, so my own trip with good rates works for me."
Expanding destination offerings
Some agents also feel that fam trips should expand beyond frequently visited destinations.
"I’m sure many of us have been to Mauritius. What about some other destinations,” asks Michelle Kaye, who suggests Zanzibar, Seychelles, Maldives, Europe or river cruising.
"As an example, how awesome would it be to be able to explain to a client the logistics of flying to the Maldives and doing a seaplane transfer versus boat transfer to their resort?"
Agents also called for more fam trips. “More fam trips would be incredible for our industry," an anonymous agent notes.
However, the outlook for fam trips for South African travel agents relies heavily on the availability of airline seats, especially discounted or complimentary seats. A lack of availability means fewer fam trips in the industry, as reported by Travel News.
