Classic Portfolio have successfully introduced Southern and East Africa’s very real sustainable tourism offering to a group of 42 adventurous agents and tour operators during a recent mega familiarisation trip.
According to Suzanne Bayly-Coupe, MD Classic Portfolio, the aim of the mega fam was to showcase the authentic sustainable experiences available in the region rather than just have agents and tour operators visit a variety of properties to inspect and see the range available. A total of 24 authentic experiences were included in the mega fam.
“The mega fam trip was not about showcasing the number of beds and acknowledging the activities available, but rather about ensuring agents and operators have a very real understanding of the experience being offered and what sustainability really means at these properties,” she said. She added that agents had also asked for more than just basic educational programmes.
Admitting that it was a major undertaking with work on the project starting more than a year ago, the group from across the world was split into six groups, each visiting one country.
Aptly titled Sustainable Africa Mega Fam 2016 the group of travellers arrived in Africa in mid-October and respectively set off on ten-day trips to Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. Each group was also accompanied by a videographer.
“This was to create content for the agents that they can utilise back home in selling these destinations,” said Bayly-Coupe. “Content has become an absolute essential. The videos can be used in their current format or they can edit them to their own liking and need.”
“Travel is about experiences. Allowing agents to experience it first hand is giving that depth of insight into what travelling into Africa really is about that will ultimately allow them to sell these trips confidently.”
Agents hosted came from countries including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Austria, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.
“The six trips all ended in Cape Town where a mega workshop was held in Stellenbosch and each team were awarded the opportunity to present their trip to their peers sharing the travel experience,” she said.
According to Lucinda Rome from Aardvark Safari’s in the UK who was on the trip to Mozambique and South Africa the experience was extremely real allowing agents a 360 degree perspective.
“It allowed us the ability to see the real flexibility of property owners and what they are capable of delivering in very rural areas,” she said. “At the same time we were given the opportunity to get involved in the community projects and really get to grips with the sustainability projects underway.”
She said the mega fam allowed agents the most extraordinary experiences through participation such as helping to relocate rhino’s in the Eastern Cape.
“Being able to help, being even the slightest part of this project, up close and personal with a rhino was extraordinary. There were times that we were emotionally shell-shocked but there is no doubt that we were awarded experiences unlike any other.”
Most agents described the trips as real, authentic and completely unexpected allowing them to view Africa completely differently as a tourist destination. “I think the experiences were in fact more than just authentic. They were raw,” said United States agent Jay Ahmed from KMX Global who was on the Kenyan trip. “Africa is a pretty spectacular place but I think that’s even clearer to me after this trip. They created very magical experiences for us allowing us to delve deeply into the cultures of the people that saw as able to really engage on a personal level with them. Everything about this fam trip was different and I don’t think any of us expected the magical experiences we had. It has allowed us to see Africa from a completely different perspective.”
It is this perspective that they take home and sell to travellers, said Bayly-Coupe. “They have experienced the very real essence of these countries and will now be able to truly encapsulate what the travel offering is when they engage with their clients.”