As I mentioned in my previous blog, this past Friday I was fortunate enough to accompany Kimberly, our Travel Industry Sales Director, on a FAM trip that was hosted by both the Phoenix and Scottsdale CVB's. For those who are not too sure of what a FAM trip is, FAM is short for "familiarization" and this type of travel is offered to travel professionals at a reduced rate so they can inspect hotels and restaurants, sample the attractions, and have a chance to experience the local culture of a destination.
This particular FAM trip took place in Phoenix between February 12 - 17, 2009 and we hosted 10 travel agents from Germany. All ten travel agents work for the same travel company, Airtours, but represented its different agencies from all across Germany so most of them did not know each other. The group arrived from Germany late Thursday night and were transported to the Fairmont Scottsdale, where they were to stay for the next couple of days. I only accompanied Kimberly on the first day so here is a recollection of Friday's events:
The Airtours group woke up very early in the morning and were lucky enough to go on a hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions and enjoy the Sonoran Desert from a spectacular view. Unfortunately I was not able to go with them since each hot air balloon can only carry 11 passengers at a time so my supervisor went with the group and I joined them for lunch. I left work around 11 am and caught up with the group at the Heard Museum (http://www.heard.org/), where we had lunch at the Heard Cafe. As soon as we were done with our food, we were given a guided tour around the museum and we're able to learn about Native American history and explore some traditional and contemporary American Indian Art. Once our museum tour was over we decided to take the light rail to our next attraction, and show the Airtours reps Phoenix's newest mode of public transportation. All the Germans were impressed with how clean the light rail was and it seemed that most of them enjoyed the ride.
The Airtours group woke up very early in the morning and were lucky enough to go on a hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions and enjoy the Sonoran Desert from a spectacular view. Unfortunately I was not able to go with them since each hot air balloon can only carry 11 passengers at a time so my supervisor went with the group and I joined them for lunch. I left work around 11 am and caught up with the group at the Heard Museum (http://www.heard.org/), where we had lunch at the Heard Cafe. As soon as we were done with our food, we were given a guided tour around the museum and we're able to learn about Native American history and explore some traditional and contemporary American Indian Art. Once our museum tour was over we decided to take the light rail to our next attraction, and show the Airtours reps Phoenix's newest mode of public transportation. All the Germans were impressed with how clean the light rail was and it seemed that most of them enjoyed the ride.
Once we reached our stop, we got off the light rail and headed towards the Desert Botanical Gardens where Ashlee (Scottsdale CVB escort) was waiting for us. After quick introductions and brief conservations, we were introduced to Emi, our tour guide, and she took us on a tour of the world's finest collection of arid-land plants from deserts all over the world. The current exhibition at the DBG was "the nature of glass" by famous glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, which features new and unique works of glass artfully located throughout the Garden. As you can see from the picture I uploaded, Chihuly's artwork looks beautiful and so natural amongst the desert fauna (for more info check out: http://www.dbg.org/)
Finally, once the tour at the Desert Botanical Gardens ended, we all got into a bus that was provided by 'Detours of Arizona', and headed towards Rustlers Rooste where we were expected for dinner at Arizona’s Legendary Cowboy Steakhouse! We arrived at the Rooste where we were welcomed with margaritas and rattlesnake (yes, snake) appetizers. The old western cowboy environment was very refreshing and unique and many of our guests enjoyed dancing the night away to the live country western music band.
I think that this FAM Trip was a great experience for me, not only as a professional but also as a Phoenix resident since I got the opportunity to discover some of Phoenix's great attractions, which I had never been to before. It was a real pleasure meeting and hosting all these different people from Germany and I believe that this is just one of the many "perks" available for professionals in the Tourism and Travel Industry.
Wow this all sounds very exciting and that you were also able to enjoy everything is even better! We have a FAM this week, I am gathering everything today and tomorrow. Our FAM is part of the Sunny AZ group. Do you feel the group will return to Germany and be able to bring in visitors to AZ?
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt! The group absolutely loved Phoenix and could not believe how sunny and warm it really gets here! The only problem they experienced was on the way back to Germany at the airport, when one of the group members, Sven, was hassled by TSA and said he would probably not visit again anytime soon..Other than that, he thought our destination was beautiful :)
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