Avalon FAM Enriches KHM Travel Agents’ Knowledge of River Cruising
Written by: Guest on November 19, 2015
During a recent Avalon Waterways FAM, 12 of KHM Travel’s Pinnacle agents discovered that river cruising more than just a mode of transportation. It’s a completely unique travel experience.
Between October 31st and November 7th, these top-producing agents cruised through France on Tapestry II, one of Avalon’s newest ships.
Sandy Stemen, our Business Development Manager from Globus, along with KHM Travel’s Supplier Relations Director Lisa Morris accompanied the agents on this memorable trip. Globus is the parent company to Avalon Waterways.
The 8-day itinerary brought our agents to Paris, through the village of Les Andelys to view the ruins of a formidable medieval castle, and then to the Beaches of Normandy, for a very poignant tour and ceremony. The Tapestry II then sailed on to historic Rouen, where Joan of Arc was imprisoned and burned at the stake.
They also marveled at the grandeur and opulence of the Palace at Versailles.
“The Hall of Mirrors was just amazing!” says Lisa.
The ship brought them back to Paris at the conclusion of the trip, where had the experienced two of the city’s main attractions. During their private excursion to the Eiffel Tower, they managed to get a group photo without interference from any other tourists! Later that evening, most of the KHM Travel crew also took in a show at the Moulin Rouge cabaret.
It was a highlight of the trip, although not easily described. According to Lisa, it was one part musical, and one part Cirque du Soleil-style performances.
During their time onboard, Sandy broadened their knowledge about the river cruising market. This included sales training on how to sell river cruising versus ocean cruising, and how to sell river cruising versus other forms of foreign independent travel.
They also took advantage of all of the amenities available on Avalon’s ships. This means an all-inclusive dining and beverage program, French-inspired gourmet cuisine, and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and Open-Air balconies.
“This was honestly the first trip I had ever been on where it felt like Christmas everyday,” says one agent, Karen. “Thank you Sandy and Lisa for an amazing experience.”
For all but one of them, it was their first river cruise. It was also KHM Travel’s first official river cruise FAM. It was an eye-opening, enriching experience, to say the least!
“Everyone was surprised at how different it was, in a wonderful way,” says Lisa Morris. “It was organized yet easy-going and relaxing. The way that the meals are intertwined with the activities, everything flows seamlessly.”
Thank you to Globus and Avalon Waterways for coordinating this special FAM for KHM Travel Group. Experiencing river cruising first-hand, along with Sandy’s sales training, equipped these agents with knowledge and tools needed to present the benefits of it to consumers.
If you are interested in selling river cruises, feel free to request our free guide to becoming a travel agent from home! Simply fill out the form on the right side of the screen or give our experienced team a call at 1-888-611-1220.