THE UK chapter of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation is planning a massive fam trip to the region in May next year as part of its drive to encourage more agents to sign up to its training programme.
The 100-strong agent delegation will visit different islands across the region, coming together for a seminar on either Trinidad or Barbados.
Launched last year, the Caribbean Travel Consultant Training programme gives agents the chance to become a designated Caribbean specialist by completing a distance-learning course.
They have to gain a certain number of points to achieve each of the three levels of the training programme.
Once they achieve 20 points, they are awarded a bronze palm, 35 points leads to the award of a silver palm and agents who get 50 points are given a gold palm award.
Gold palm holders also receive a range of other benefits, including hotel discounts and an information booklet. All agents on the scheme receive the quarterly newsletter.
Agents gain points on the programme by attending road shows and fam trips, and completing modules from courses run by individual countries, such as the Bahamas Tourism Office.
To date 350 agents have signed up to the scheme, 44 of whom have reached either bronze or silver level.
The CTO is hoping that new initiatives like the fam trip and a link-up with Advantage Travel Centres will help increase the numbers.
CTO European marketing manager Jo Spalburg, said:”The Caribbean is such a huge destination, with a very diverse range of things to do.
“This programme is designed to help agents differentiate between the different types of holiday on offer.”
Advantage Travel Centres plans to promote the programme in its news sheet as well as distributing a separate letter to its 950 member agencies.
Agents will have a chance to win a place on the fam trip by entering a prize draw at World Travel Market.
They can also sign up to the programme and gain points by completing a questionnaire.