Famtrip is short for ‘familiarisation trip’. It is a trip exclusively for travel agents (and sometimes their guests) that is provided by travel operators.

Representatives from Da Nang travel and media agencies in a famtrip to Phu Quoc Island in Kien Giang Province

Such trips are provided as a way for travel agents to learn about a destination, their partners, or an airline, and sometimes, all of the above, that they can sell to their clients.

There are many advantages to famtrips. They are very important to travel agents, and event planners, plus the resorts and tour operators.

Mr Le Cong Hoa, Director of the Da Nang Trade Union Tourist Centre, highlighted the significance of famtrips in helping travel agents gain first-hand knowledge of the destination so they can describe the experience to their customers accurately.

He added by attending famtrips, travel agents can get the real pictures of the places, events or services they are marketing.

Director of the Viet Nam Adventure Tour Co Ltd Ho Thanh Tu remarked one of the most important benefits of famtrips was that travel agents and event planners would have the opportunity to establish closer links with others in tourism industry. These connections are incredibly valuable, and they can help travel agents and event planners grow their careers. In addition, travel agents will boost their cooperation with the tourism service providers for serve their customers better.

He also stressed the need for relevant local agencies to facilitate famtrip organisers to seek their potential markets and maintain their sustainable cooperation in the future.

Mr Pham Dinh Hoang, Director of the Hoang Anh Viet Tourist Co Ltd, noted that famtrip organisers were in need of help from the authorities of destinations in organising famtrips successfully.

He added customers tend to trust travel agent recommendations more when they have been to the destination themselves.

General Director of the Viet Nam Travel Mart company Nguyen Nhu Nam underscored the importance of famtrips in helping people working in hospitality sector get an overview of their destinations, network with other travel agents, and promoting their business activities.

“In addition to exchanges activities, tourism businesses will together discuss price policies and develop suitable tour programmes to meet growing demand of their customers”, Mr Nam emphasised.