There is probably no vacation more family-friendly than visiting a theme park. And in this issue’s cover story, “Sweet Suites” (page 14), we show how travel agents can further enhance this type of getaway by booking one of the many themed rooms at a resort. It’s just one more example of how an advisor can add value to a family’s trip.
The role agents play in planning these kind of vacations is the subject of this issue’s guest column (“Why Family Travel Specialists Matter,” page 8). Rainer Jenss, founder and president of the Family Travel Association (FTA), says that helping families with their travels might be the most important work an agent does — making great memories for the parents and expanding the world view of the kids. In fact, the FTA felt it was so important to address the role advisors play in family travel that it recently launched a travel agent education program.
“The notion of what constitutes a ‘traditional’ family is changing dramatically, and so are their interests in where and how to spend their vacations,” Jenss said. “To help agents keep up with this ever-changing demographic and their preferences, we created a certification and training program so that agents can stay current and help the industry and consumers identify the people who are truly committed and qualified to work with them.”
Family Getaways has been involved with the FTA since the beginning, and it’s gratifying to see how the organization has become an ardent supporter of travel agents. Jenss and others rightly saw the positive role advisors can play in advocating on behalf of family travel, and they put in a lot of hard work developing a program to help make agents even more effective. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I encourage you to do so (visit FamilyTravel.org). The FTA is a valuable partner, and it’s always a good policy to support your partners.