See yourselves in action!
...in our latest fam trip reports, photo galleries and agent On Location reviews. All available online in our great archive at
sellinglonghaul.com/reviews
talking shop ON LOCATION FAM-TASTIC! DREAMS OF DUBAI On location in... The Dubai Department of Tourism
& Commerce Marketing took a group of agent to the Emirate on a ‘Dubai for Families’ fam trip, last December. After flying with Virgin Atlantic, the
‘Mind-blowing’ Las Vegas Nine agents have joined a FAM
to fabulous Las Vegas to experience first hand the entertainment capital of the world! The group stayed at the newest luxury hotel on the strip, The Cosmopolitan, where they enjoyed the only terraces on the strip to overlook the incredible Bellagio fountains. The group visited fantastic hotels including Vdara, Aria, Monte Carlo, New York New York, The Bellagio, Treasure Island, Venetian/ Palazzo, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Caesars Palace, The Tropicana, MGM Grand and Wynn Encore. The highlight of the trip was taking
in Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour which everyone agreed was ‘absolutely mind-blowing’. The agents won their places through the LVCVA’s agents’ reward programme the Las Vegas Virtuoso VIP Club.
www.virtuosovipclub.co.uk
Agent Insights: “I definitely have a much better understanding of Las Vegas as a destination, and of all of the hotels we visited. Overall the trip was a great experience, and I will definitely be saving up for a return trip!”
LIZ MATHEWS Flight Centre, Oxford Street
“Although I have sold the destination numerous times, I will certainly be able to sell it with more passion now I have been and I have already been telling lots of customers about the trip. I am really grateful for this opportunity to visit Las Vegas.”
RAYMOND GRIMMET Bath Travel
Clockwise from above: a Las Vegas fam, sloping off to the desert with the Dubai Department of Tourism and Funway in the Caribbean
group arrived on Monday morning and transferred straight to the Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa for a hosted lunch and spa treatments. During the five-night trip the group stayed at the Palm Tree Court and Spa but also visited Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa; Jumeirah Beach Hotel; Atlantis, The Palm; The Palace, The Old Town; and the Oasis Beach Tower. Also scheduled was a visit to At the
Top, at the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world; shopping at the Dubai Mall, time to explore Aquaventure, Dubai’s largest water park; a viewing of the Dubai Fountain – another superlative, as the world’s tallest fountain display; horse riding and watersports sessions at the Jebel Ali Resort; and a trip out into the desert for a 4WD excursion.
Agent Insight CHRIS EARLAM
Destintion Anywhere, The Travel Lounge, Wirral “Any pre-conceptions I
harboured about Dubai (that it was merely a convenient refuelling stop in the
desert) disappeared when I arrived at the sleek modern terminal, staffed by friendly faces eager to help. “As I quickly discovered, Dubai offers
the very best of east meets west. Islamic architecture, Bedouin heritage and Arabic culture happily co-exist with luxurious hotels on pristine white beaches. There is sophisticated dining and excellent shopping in marbled malls as well as traditional gold and spice souks clustered beside the bustling creek. “What surprised me most about
Funway plans to boost fams Trade-friendly Funway Holidays has
revealed plans to significantly up its number of fam trip places in 2012, with an overall aim of inviting over 200 agents to participate in its educationals. Managing Director of Funway Stephen Rhodes commented: “We are currently looking into various options for 2012, ranging from a USA Super FAM in June, to fams to Dubai and/or Thailand. We will also be hosting our annual Sandals by Funway fam trips throughout the year.” Funway plans to invite participants via competitions and highest booker awards, as well as to identifying individual counter staff that want the specific destination knowledge. Rhodes said of fam trips: “educational trips are just that – educational. But as
Dubai was the incredible investment in the city and the pride of the people living there. It’s the perfect destination for both adults and children. Aquaventure, world class golfing and sailing, the Sega Republic theme park and amusement arcade and the Ski Snow Park all make it a fantastic experience, either for a three-day stopover or as an end destination “My ‘must-do’ experience is the desert
safari – an exhilarating drive into a real desert, just like in Lawrence of Arabia.”
three nights staying at the Sandals La Toc, Saint Lucia and then on to Antigua for two nights in the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa. The itinerary included daily activities from island tours to mud baths and a personal welcome from Sandals Resorts founder, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.
you would expect with Funway they have a ‘fun’ element. A visit to a destination and its hotels are invaluable in giving agents a real feel of the overall product – it makes it so much easier to sell if you have been there yourself”. Funway’s most recent fam trip took
place in December 2011, when the tour operator hosted eight agents on its Sandals by Funway trip. The Caribbean- based, five-star luxury fam included
Agent insight KAREN FISHER
My Travel Ambassador “The beautiful beaches and rooms didn’t fail to impress. Learning about the different room types, was extremely useful, as well as learning more about the differences between the two islands, food types and hotel services."
www.sellinglonghaul.com • February 2012 65
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72