FIT for Families

Children are often awed by Europe’s historic past. // © 2011 kissesfromholland

When I was in college, I spent a good amount of my time backpacking through Europe. I loved the ease with which visitors could travel from one country to another, the timely manner of the train service and the subtle differences between European and U.S. culture. Now, I'm older and I have a family, but I still yearn to return to Europe with my husband and daughters with the same sense of independence I once possessed as a college student, and that is why FIT tours are a great way for families to travel. 

For years, travelers have been enticed by the value and flexibility that an FIT tour provides and, in Europe where there is easy access to transportation, Western-style lodging options and an abundance of activities, these types of trips are especially wonderful. Advantages include setting your own schedule, being able to dine where you want and also the ability to change plans on a whim. And for families, where groups consist of various ages, fitness levels and agendas, these types of tours are an ideal way to provide some structure to a more adventurous vacation. But even though places such as London and Paris have plenty of fun places to take the kids, going on your own as a family might feel more like work than play.

"As a dad, I'm in dire need of anything that's going to alleviate vacation stress and the pressure of hosting the perfect family vacation. I simply work too hard during the year to earn that "quality time" with the family and, if I've done the near-impossible and found a week that actually works for all members of my family to get away, I can't afford to let a minute of it slip by,î said Steve Born, vice president of marketing for Globus Family of Brands.

This is an important fact for agents. Planning the right FIT for a family can net agents customers for life.

"A family FIT trip gives agents an ideal opportunity to show clients how valuable it is to have a knowledgeable agent booking their travel," said Richie Karaburun, president of Travel Bound/GTA North America.

Indeed, having a travel agent who can head off disaster can really make or break a vacation.

"We've all heard the stories of parents who have missed most of a family getaway with bungled reservations, getting lost in an unfamiliar city or waiting in line for most of a day, and we know what kind of stress that can put on a vacation." said Born.

Know Your Clients
One of the first steps agents need to take is getting to know the family.

"A good agent knows their clients' interests, preferences, budget and time line -- plus they have to know where to go, in terms of suppliers, for the best selection of travel services, at the best prices, to suit those needs," said Karaburun.

Several companies, such as Travel Bound, Monograms, part of the Globus family, and General Tours offer unique FIT experiences for families traveling to Europe.

Traditional FIT specialists such as Travel Bound assist clients with all the details in an a la carte manner.

Travel Bound has a variety of hotels  -- more than 35,000 around the world in various price ranges. The operator also offers more than 55,000 other services, such as transfers, sightseeing tours and attractions including zoos, Disneyland Paris and more.

"Families -- and the agents who book their vacations for them ó can find everything they need with us," said Karaburun. "And we are able to negotiate extremely competitive rates."

Families who would like more structure can choose a company such as Monograms. Born also suggests using Monograms as a tool to save time.

"Monograms already includes all the 'necessary' elements of a vacation, such as the handling of all logistics and connection points, and leaves virtually nothing for Mom and Dad to have to worry about when they're on vacation. Spelling out that time value is priceless," said Born. "Then [agents] can promote themselves as a time-saver for families."

He recommends using advertising and harnessing the power of social media to recruit clients. 

"Anyone who has a family knows that families respond to any service that can give the gift of time," said Born.

Another factor agents should consider when booking families on an FIT is what is not included.

"Beware of what's not included in your typical FIT package, such as hidden costs, the absence of transfers from the hotel and no at-destination support,î said Born. ìOnce you identify those gaps, it's easier to sell a more complete -- and higher-revenue -- package."

Where to Go in Europe
Europe is the land of fairy tales, castles, knights and princesses. With a wealth of activities for both young and old, it is an ideal destination for families.

"Enjoying Europe for the first time together can be a bonding experience," said Robert Drumm, president of General Tours World Traveler, a company that offers FIT and small-group tours for families. "Many of our employees, myself included, were introduced to the larger world by their parents or grandparents."

Orchestrating the right FIT itinerary can be a challenge and agents should remember to keep kids front of mind.

"Finding a destination that offers activities and sights that are of interest to children is one of the most important criteria when planning a vacation. Interactive or exotic locations can be the most alluring and museums often the most tedious for kids.  Animals and natural wonder always catch the imagination of children," said Drumm.

In Europe, Drumm recommends castles and pageantry. "The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and the Swiss Guards at the Vatican are alluring to children," said Robert Drumm.
Monogramsí top seller is a London & Paris combination.

"The kids are in awe the entire time ó never a dull moment," said Born. "And our included Eurostar service between the cities turns that connection between cities into a hassle-free highlight of the trip."
One of the great aspects of the FIT experience is its flexibility.

"It's truly hard to pick just one destination, and that's why FIT is so great," said Karaburun.

Clients can combine destinations and see two or more cities in France, the U.K. or Italy, for example.

"A family whose roots were in Europe might want to try to explore the area their ancestors came from, or maybe see a country one of the children just studied in school, such as France, home of Napoleon or Ireland for St. Patrick's Day," said Karaburun.

The beauty of an FIT vacation in Europe is the customization. If done right, clients will have a very meaningful experience.

"Family vacations create a memory of a lifetime." said Born, "So, families should spend that time actually enjoying a destination rather than wasting time navigating it."