Outstanding Destinations – too many FAMS, too little time | Travel Research Online

Image
Image

Outstanding Destinations – too many FAMS, too little time

These past months, it seems like all I have heard about is who is going on which FAM trip.

There are so many FAM trips scheduled for late summer and into fall, which is the perfect time for many resorts to accommodate agent visits. There is no way we can do them all; so we just have to decide which ones make the most sense for your marketing efforts, business plan, and budget and roll the dice.

How do you decide which FAM you will attend? What do you do if there truly is more than one essential FAM in the same month?  Do you only do the one or do you bite the bullet and do both?  Can you really take the time from your business to do more than one FAM in the same month? And of course, there is the struggle on cost. FAMS, while subsidized, are rarely free, and taking one is a very real expense with flights (usually) and other expenses that are involved. It is even more complex for independent agents who are operating as a “one man band.” How do you handle your business while you are gone? Can it all be done remotely? Can you afford to shut down for a few days or a week or more? All of these questions come to mind.

I think FAMs are great; and they help my business a lot. But I wish suppliers would be able to offer them throughout the year. It certainly would help with the agency cash flow. It would allow me to attend more. It would allow me to see different destinations during different seasons. And it likely would enable me to greatly expand my knowledge.

Since I am unable to take them all, I have one scheduled in the USVI which is very exciting. I have not been to the destination in a long while so I am sure there will be plenty to update.  It is also a wedding FAM so it’s definitely a trip I am looking forward to as destination weddings are still a large part of our business and the USVI is ideal for a “no Passport needed” Caribbean destination.

How many FAMs do you participate in each year?  Which ones do you feel offer the best bang for your limited buck?

Jenna Kameka, with Outstanding Destinations, is a Certified Sandals Specialist, GI Wedding Consultant, and a Specialist for  Jamaica, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Rico. She is also an Anchorage Wild Expert and specializes in destination weddings & honeymoons.

Share your thoughts on “Outstanding Destinations – too many FAMS, too little time”

You must be a registered user and be logged in to post a comment.