by Eric Bowman
Last updated: 9:45 PM ET, Sun April 23, 2023
Taking the FAM trip to the next level – that’s what a TravFORUM event is all about.
It brings together hand-selected, top-tier quality travel advisors to review and experience a destination, hotel, resort, cruise ship, tour itinerary, etc.
From a slew of applications, nine US travel advisors were picked to attend the four-day Princess Resorts TravFORUM event in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
In addition to a site inspection of the host resort Caribe Deluxe Princess, advisors also spent time touring Princess Resorts' other properties in Punta Cana: The Tropical Deluxe Princess, Punta Cana Princess, Princess Family Club Bavaro and the Grand Bavaro Princess.
Experiencing the resorts this way allowed for a welcomed change of pace from the traditional fam trip, advisors said.
“This was a little bit more intimate, I really enjoyed it,” said Autumn Trussell, owner of Abundant Travel, a Dreams Vacations franchise. “Our schedule wasn't fully packed to where we couldn't enjoy ourselves, which was really nice. A lot of traditional fams try to pack in everything and then you don't get to enjoy the property yourself, but TravFORUM made sure that we got to enjoy the property and the amenities as well – which makes a huge difference when we're talking to clients.”
For Princess Resorts, the TravFORUM was an opportunity to highlight their brand to those who didn’t know much about it as well as their new renovations here in the Dominican Republic.
"For us, it's really important to get that brand awareness out there for our Canadian and U.S. markets,” said Nicole Perez, Princess Hotels & Resorts Director of Sales, North America. “We want the travel agents and the clients to get to know us and to try us out. We do believe we have a great product, we price really well, we offer great services, we are at great destinations, and we just want to get that word out there.”
“Truly I was surprised by Princess,” said Garett Kucifer, owner of Kucifer Travels. “I had never sold Princess, so I was really excited to come here and see what they offer. They offer a wide variety for everybody from families to adults in great sections, and I really like the opportunity that you can upgrade your clients to fit a level that fits your client.”
Other features of the event included platinum club experiences at Caribe Deluxe during their stay, a spa treatment, a foam pool party, and the chance to provide feedback to the resort’s directors and managers in a roundtable forum discussion.
“Instead of just only going and seeing different resorts, it's nice to give the feedback because you know, you get to experience it and then if there are different things that aren't what you would approve of or what your clients would approve of, at least you're able to talk to people that are higher up in the brand that will listen to you and actually change things,” Dan Sadleir Elite Travel and Events said. “We’re able to talk to those higher-ups and build those relationships…and building relationships is everything in this business.”
The knowledge gained from the trip will help them earn more money, advisors said. The Platinum Club offerings also provide the chance for increased sales.
Social media posts and finally experiencing the resort in person even led to immediate booking possibilities.
“I actually had a client looking for a trip while I was here, and I priced things out, and when I added their Platinum services at their Grand Bavaro resort, they got so much more for their value,” said Kucifer.
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