Co-Director, Southern Cross Travel, Wadhurst
The family business
There’s no doubt that fam trips are by far the best way to learn about a destination, and I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy some amazing fams over the last 16 years in travel. They leave such an impression on you, and you can then share your personal knowledge and experience with customers, which is invaluable.
Since Covid, fams are harder to come by and you have to work much harder for them. Also, since becoming a mum, fams are harder to accept as childcare (sadly) is a huge factor in deciding if a trip is viable.
Three or four nights is ideal for me, plus it saves having to find cover for the office for too long.
I have recently been diagnosed with Adenomyosis and have had to turn down fams, which is gutting when it’s one of the highlights of the job. Maybe there’s a market for shorter fams at a slower pace.
If those already exist, I’m open to any tour operators seeking me out!
Director of GoRiverCruise, Worcestershire
The cruise specialist
As a self employed travel agent, I have to view the offer of a fam trip as a business expense rather than just a “freebie”.
Travel costs money, which a trip may not cover. That is, getting to the airport or port, flights, parking, not to mention the potential strain on domestic relationships or the need to provide boarding for pets!
Time away from the desk can mean lost business. Cover can be arranged, or emails and calls may be viable when actually on the trip, but potential bookings may go elsewhere. A fam has the potential to both cost money and lose income.
I have to weigh these downsides against the benefits – like stronger bonds with a regular supplier, a welcome and rewarding break, gaining important product knowledge and helping boost future sales.
There are those who appear to be on a permanent fam, but I guess I am just jealous as either they are salaried, or, if self-employed, have a better cash flow!
Director at The Travel Team, Brampton, Cumbria
The high street agency
There is great excitement in the office if we are offered a fam trip, but there are considerations we have to make before we can accept. Do we have enough staff to cover the one who will be away? Is it a destination no one in the team has been to and would benefit the business? Are we likely to have customers that would like to visit? Will our knowledge lead to sales? (It’s usually a yes to all of the above!)
Getting to the airport, if that is in London, can mean an extra two days’ travelling with additional costs. But trips we accept will be ones we have promoted and made bookings for so any costs will be justified.
We do e-shots to our clients telling them about the trip and social media promotion, including a build up to the trip, posts when we are there, and that when we get back we will share information and offers.
While some would say it’s a perk of the job, its also essential for us to experience destinations first hand.
Managing Director at Kew Bridge Travel, London
The PATA agent
Nothing beats first-hand experience when advising a client, so I welcome the opportunity to enhance my knowledge by taking a fam trip to somewhere “new”.
Trips to emerging destinations in Eastern Europe and Latin America have provided fascinating insights. It helps to reassure clients about travel to Colombia when I can share my own experience of Medellin’s public transport system!
Having lived and worked in Asia, I normally decline trips to that region. The exception would be a place which has changed since my last visit. I recently visited China and I was impressed with its progress in 20 years.
My clients normally take touring holidays, so trips organised by tourism authorities are particularly useful. The best are those which include meetings with local suppliers, helping me forge new business relationships to promote and sell the destination.
