TTAL and Thomas Cook host fam trip in Tobago

TTAL and Thomas Cook host fam trip in Tobago

Posted Nov 19, 2018

The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited partnered with Thomas Cook Airlines to host a contingent of ten travel agents and tour operators from the United Kingdom in Tobago from November 11-18, 2018 for a familiarization trip.

TTAL and Thomas Cook host fam trip in Tobago

The British-based airline resumed a direct flight from Manchester to Tobago on November 11, 2018.  This "fam" trip will ensure that these agents and operators will be fully educated about destination Tobago to better sell the island to their clients in the UK, considering the recent increase in the availability of airlift to Tobago.

TTAL and Thomas Cook host fam trip in Tobago
Fam trip participants make a courtesy call to the CEO of the Tobago Tourism Agency, Mr. Louis Lewis, at the Agency’s head office

CEO of the Tobago Tourism Agency, Mr. Louis Lewis, stated: “This project will provide an ideal opportunity to raise awareness among agents, so they are confident and able to sell the destination effectively in the UK - our biggest source markets.

It is important that we expose the unique authentic nature of Tobago to as many front-line travel staff as possible, to ensure that they experience our core attractors, which they in turn, can relate to their clients.”

Representatives from the Tobago Tourism Agency showcased some of the best that Tobago has to offer during the week-long fam trip. The contingent was able to enjoy eco-adventure experiences such as birdwatching and hiking in the Main Ridge, a visit to Argyle Waterfall, and a bio-luminescence kayak tour.  

TTAL and Thomas Cook host fam trip in Tobago
The contingent boards a glass-bottomed boat at Pigeon Point for a sunset cruise on Saturday November 17.

They were also taken to various historical sites and attractions, including the Mystery Tombstone and the many Forts scattered across the island, and were given opportunities to experience first-hand the cuisine, culture and authenticity of Tobago.

Familiarization trips are considered effective learning exercises for travel agents seeking to refine their selling tools or specialize in core niches, and are worthwhile initiatives for growth in travel business.  

TTAL and Thomas Cook host fam trip in Tobago
The group visits one of Tobago's iconic Forts. (Photo courtesy Steven Jones of Travel Counsellors, UK)

These trips are critical to increasing the product knowledge and awareness of parties responsible for selling the destination to Tobago’s source markets. The overall objective continues to be that of increasing sales and traffic to the destination.