Fam Tours

The Do’s & Don’ts of Fam Tours

Aggie Brassette, LCTP Nancy Broussard, LCTP Lisa Johnson, LCTP

What is a Fam Tour? FAM (familiarization) tour: a free or reduced-rate trip offered to travel professionals to acquaint them with what a destination, attraction or supplier has to offer

Why do we do them? ¾Best way to showcase to a client ¾Create a tour experience ¾Provide ideas for itinerary building ¾Opportunity for relationship building

Who participates in Fams?

¾Tour & Travel ¾Meeting Planners ¾Writers & Journalists

Qualified Participants ¾Qualifications ¾Where to find participants Databases of professional organizations Leads from trade publications Sales & trade show activity Referrals Pre/post trade show nearby Travel company (wholesaler)

Planning Considerations

¾Time ¾Total length of time ¾Resources ¾Number of participants

What to show and sell Depends on the audience(s) and their clients, their particular needs. Show things that are bookable. ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾

Group planners FIT product managers/travel agents International Meeting Planners Writers Journalists

Who pays – and for what? In Louisiana, generally, goods and services are provided on a complimentary basis as an expense of securing more business. ¾Gratuities ¾Registration fees ¾Transportation ¾Alcohol ¾Motorcoach munchies

Fams by committee ¾Protects political interest ¾Can be a valuable planning tool ¾Division of labor ¾Different areas of expertise and knowledge ¾Repercussions and decisions do not fall on one individual. ¾Strength in numbers

The Role of the Escort Tour guide, trivia expert, nurse, timekeeper, interpreter, mom, hostess, bus keeper, peacekeeper, diplomat, flight attendant, baggage clerk, babysitter, teacher, entertainment director, photographer, navigator, climate control manager, shepherd.

The Role of the Escort ¾ Ties all segments together ¾ In control at all times ¾ Fair and impartial ¾ Familiar with all aspects of the trip ¾ CVB person or local step on service ¾ Homework ¾ Legal responsibilities

Timeline Checklist

The Devil is in the Details

6 to 5 months before fam ¾Name and theme ¾Bid process -Bid solicitation -Bid selection -Bid confirmation ¾Tentative itinerary ¾Design an invitation

4 to 3 months before fam ¾ Book a motorcoach ¾ Mail invitations ¾ Forms - letter - descriptive itinerary - registration form - tour & travel profile ¾ Follow up ¾ Confirmations

1 month before fam ¾Flight manifest ¾Rooming lists ¾Reconfirm all itinerary items & step-ons ¾Directions ¾ Menus ¾Profiles to host ¾Final itinerary with contact information

2 weeks before fam

¾Personally call all operators again ¾Final details ¾Create an evaluation form

1 week before fam ¾Reconfirm itinerary and directions ¾Decorations ¾Buy snacks ¾Name badges and luggage tags ¾Make packets for each operator

Information packets ¾LA Tour Guide and LA highway map ¾Final itinerary ¾One-page map with route highlighted ¾List of other operators on bus ¾Luggage tags ¾Evaluation form ¾Any free time vouchers

Tips during fam tour ¾ 5 minutes prior to arrival ¾ Operators are your guest ¾ Worry about time and logistics so that your guests don’t have to ¾ Always count heads before departure ¾ Evaluation ¾ Document any accidents, no matter how minor ¾ Be aware of bathrooms ¾ Be a host

More tips……….. ¾Room keys ¾Luggage ¾Complement information provided by the step-on ¾Group picture ¾Tip collection ¾Interact with and get to know the operators

Day after fam

RELAX…you deserve it!

1 to 2 weeks after fam

¾Thank you notes to the hosts ¾Thank you notes to the operators ¾Calculate results of surveys

6 months or 1 year after fam

¾Survey operators to determine who has brought or plans to bring business to Louisiana.

Supplier Perspective What is the benefit? ¾Cheapest, easiest way to market ¾Shake every hand, kiss every cheek ¾Show how you complement local itinerary

Supplier Perspective

¾Make the most of time allotted. ¾Show off “bookable best” ¾Follow up, Follow up, Follow up!

Question and Answer

Does anyone have any questions or comments

Thank you for coming!