Attending a fam trip is an excellent way for travel advisors to get to know a product, which is why many brands prioritize them. And while some fam trips are composed of intimate groups, mega fams with large numbers of attendees happen, too — and this year, tour operator ALG Vacations (ALGV) is going all in on the latter with the new “ALGV Pros on the Go” plan.
Prior to this year, ALGV has hosted 20 escorted familiarization trips annually. In 2024, ALGV Pros on the Go will bring about 150 advisors on just two tours — the same number of attendees as ALGV has hosted before, just organized into fewer trips.
The 2024 ALGV Pros on the Go mega fams will take place in Cancun, Mexico, from April 9-13 and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from June 19-23. Business development managers will select attendees that represent all U.S. sales regions. The tour operator also says that participants will be a mix of “opportunity advisors who can better grow sales to the destination after experiencing it firsthand, as well as seasoned advisors who would benefit from a firsthand look at properties.”
We think ALGV Pros on the Go will be another extremely popular in-destination event for the travel advisor community.
Interested advisors must complete the ALGVPro certification prior to attending.
During the new mega fams, advisors will stay at multiple resorts, participate in excursions and a community give-back activity and attend a one-day training session as a whole group. Most presentations and workshops during the training will be led by ALGV; seminars on destination photography and charging professional fees will be helmed by third-party organizations.
“ALGV fams are incredibly popular and tend to fill up quickly,” said Jacqueline Marks, global head of trade brands for ALGV. “We wanted to streamline the process for our sales and events teams, and leverage the larger education and networking opportunity with advisors and the ALGV staff, incorporating the highest-value components of our Ascend conference on a smaller scale. We think ALGV Pros on the Go will be another extremely popular in-destination event for the travel advisor community.”
At a 2024 strategy meeting, ALG Vacations and Amstar employees supported 12 children and three women living in a home sponsored by Cancun Pro Kids, which protects vulnerable women and children from exploitation and abuse.
Credit: 2024 ALG VacationsThe tour operator is especially proud of the give-back components of their escorted itineraries, which allow attendees to connect with and support the local community. Events may include donating collected goods to a community organization in the destination or participating in an on-site service event. In 2023, advisors and ALGV collaborated to support charities such as Manos de Amor in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Montego Bay Animal Haven in Jamaica; and La Escuelita de Sonia in Cancun.
