SUCCESSFUL TRAVEL WEEKLY FAM TRIP
Successful Travel Weekly Fam Trip
- During their stay in the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta, agents used social media to sell 10 trips each to the destination within a 24-hour period.
Seventy-four agents from the United States and Canada, each of whom sell more than $1 million a year in vacations to Mexico for a total of over $100 million in income for the country, had the opportunity to visit and enjoy the many attractions of the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta.
“It was a very successful FAM trip that exceeded the usual site inspection visit, focusing on unique experiences that help the agent sell the story of the destination to his or her clients,” said Marc Murphy, Managing Director of the Riviera Nayarit, Convention and Visitors Bureau.
This mega FAM trip for Travel Weekly took shape thanks to the strategic alliances formed by the Mexico Tourism Board as a key component of the marketing campaign with the joint promotion “Vallarta-Nayarit, Live it to believe it.”
“What’s most important for us is to bring over buyers and providers, that’s what creates big business and that’s exactly what we did with the help of United Airlines, the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta trusts and the hotels,” said Bruce Shulman, Associate Publisher for Travel Weekly and TravelAge West. “We were able to gather together the best sales agents for this destination.”
It’s difficult to calculate exactly the number of sales this particular FAM trip will be able to produce, but he confirmed that during the second day of his stay each of the agents had already generated 10 sales using only social media.
“The more you sales experts are exposed to the destination, the higher the chances of them selling it,” he added.
The travel agents engaged in an immersion experience from November 12 – 15, with plenty of adventure activities within Caletas and Sayulita, including surfing, zip-lining, ATV, horseback riding and more.
They also enjoyed the unique experiences offered by different developments including Secrets, Residences, Grand Velas, St. Regis and Iberostar, which is ready to open soon, as well as a visit to three of the areas modern marinas: Marina Vallarta, the Paradise Village Marina and Marina Riviera Nayarit.
“They got to experience the attractions offered by Vallarta and Nayarit first-hand, now they can return to their offices to continue positioning these destinations in the minds of their clients as the best vacation option. We’re very grateful,” said Shulman.
The travel agents fell in love with the destination
The travel agents confirmed this was the best FAM they’d been on in years and they are certain that after this experiences they have the proper tools to sell these destinations.
The warmth of the locals, who truly love the tourists, charmed Lori French, owner of Lori French Travel Services in the United States.
“The people are wonderful, I love this place. I can’t wait to get home because all of the activities it offers are perfect for our clients,” said Lori. “I had never been to Sayulita or Punta de Mita and I just loved them. It’s a beautiful and safe place.”
Mercedes Becerra, a Peruvian agent based in Quebec, Canada, and owner of the Voyages Mercedes agency, had previously sold the destination without ever having been here. Now she predicts her sales will increase by 50%.
“I’ll be able to sell this destination much more easily,” she said, “especially to my clients in search of beach, mountains and adventure—it’s the perfect destination! The best selling point I’ve found is its diversity, different things that the other destinations simply don’t have.”
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