The Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers has revealed it will take more than 50 member agents on an educational fam trip to Lake Como next March.
Atas director Claire Brighton announced the trip during the association’s conference in Liverpool (October 10-11).
The trip is being held in partnership with the tourist boards of Italy and Lake Como.
“We want to bring touring and adventure to life,” she told delegates at the event, which was held at the Rum Warehouse in Liverpool.
Agents will spend two nights in a hotel and take part in a range of experiences during the educational, on March 20-22, 2024.
Winners of the Atas Recognition Awards – announced at the conference gala dinner – will be granted fully hosted places on the trip.
Five other places were also won by agents who entered a draw on the Italian tourist board stand at the trade fair being held during the conference.
Brighton also announced other initiatives during the conference, including a ‘Morocco Pledge’, a new Touring and Adventure Guide, and a partnership with AS Training, which works with the travel industry to offer apprenticeships and training.
The Morocco Pledge aims to support the country to continue its recovery after last month’s devastating earthquake.
Brighton urged agents to sign the pledge and commit to promoting holidays in Morocco, and send a message of support that Atas will send to communities affected by the disaster.
“Put Morocco in your windows and on social media,” she urged agents.
“It is a simple thing for us to do but it will mean a lot to the local people.”
The Touring and Adventure Guide is an online publication aimed at helping agents find out more about Atas members and to offer selling tips.
The first one out now is aimed at beginners. A second one in April will be aimed at those with more experience in the touring and adventure sector, then a third edition in the summer will focus on agents who have advanced knowledge of the market.