Atas expands apprentices drive at Morocco Experiences event

The Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) has expanded its apprenticeship initiative, taking three student agents on the recent Experiences trip to Morocco.

 

Last year, Atas took two apprentices to its inaugural Experiences trip, which took place in Lake Como.

 

Apprentices for both events were studying with AS Training, an associate member of Atas.

 

Claire Brighton, Atas director, said: “Here at Atas we recognise the importance of nurturing new talent in the industry and we highly value our partnership with AS Training, which has now seen us take five apprentices to our overseas Experiences events.

 

“Trips like ours give the apprentices unrivalled knowledge about the industry and destination – and they are very eager to share their newfound expertise with clients and colleagues to help boost touring and adventure sales.

 

“The Morocco Experiences was also valuable for our own Atas content executive, Evie Sutherland, who is another high-flying apprentice with AS Training.”

 

More: Atas Experiences event in Morocco ‘highlights touring diversity’

 

Mia Armstrong is a Level 4 sales executive apprentice with Adore Holidays and Cruises in Essex.

 

She said her agency was chosen for Experiences as it had sent staff to last year’s Atas conference in Leeds – then her manager Ian Gilder selected her as he felt she would enjoy the event and sharing her experience.

 

“It has been very eye-opening, both in terms of selling the destination with its amazing opportunities and to see the way of living in the country – it makes you feel very appreciative of the life we are able to live,” she said.

 

“The highlight for me was with Wendy Wu Tours: Step into the heart of the Atlas Mountains.

 

“On the day I returned to work we had time to talk about everything from my experiences abroad to those I had met within the industry.

 

“I have been able to share my experiences with customers…which does help when selling an experience as they can feel how much you enjoyed it and know they are getting a more genuine conversation and review.”

 

Rosie Robinson is a content creator with County Durham-based Cruise 365 & Bucket List Travel and was nominated by her manager for Experiences.

 

“The Atas event was amazing. Being my first solo trip away for work/apprenticeship, I didn’t really know what to expect but everyone was so friendly and welcoming,” she said.

 

“The event also helped with building my knowledge of the tour operators that attended.

 

“The highlight of the trip was the day with Newmarket Holidays on a culinary cooking class.

 

“The people of Morocco are so friendly.”

 

She also shared her content with clients and colleagues to showcase a different region of Morocco, beyond popular destinations such as Marrakesh – and the personal touch can reassure customers, she said.

 

“The Atas event will help in boosting our sales as we can filter my own experience into the products,” said Robinson, who also thanked the Atas team and tour operators for the opportunity.

 

Abbie Whitehead, a travel consultant at Arundel Travel in West Yorkshire is a Level 4 sales executive apprentice, who was chosen for the trip by AS Training managing director Michelle Van Sprang.

 

“It was great for me to meet so many individuals in the travel industry and have the chance to chat with the wonderful tour operators,” said Whitehead.

 

“The highlight for me was the Wendy Wu excursion, hiking in the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking and it was a lovely atmosphere seeing everybody push themselves out of their comfort zone by helping each other along the way.

 

“At the Berber family home we were greeted with warm welcomes and a tasty dinner prepared for us by the family, this touched my heart with gratitude.”

 

She wrote a daily online blog to help clients and colleagues and believes it will help her to sell more touring and adventure holidays to Morocco.

 

“Before attending, my vision of Morocco was the city life or Agadir’s beach life – I had very little knowledge of how much adventure you can do in the Atlas mountains and how this can be incorporated with Moroccan city life, giving customers the best of both worlds.”

 

She also thanked delegates for making her feel welcome, adding: “This helps expand my knowledge [and] helps my confidence to grow.”

 

Picture by Sarah Lucy Brown