TTC Tour Brands, Delta, and JV partner up to bring 10 Alberta Motor Association agents to Portugal
“There is something about travelling on a tour that brings people of all ages, backgrounds and personalities together for an unforgettable experience,” Jenni Berg, TTC Tour Brands’ director of sales and national accounts, told Travel Courier, reflecting on her FAM trip.
TTC Tour Brands, Delta and JV partners recently teamed up with the Alberta Motor Association / CAA to bring 10 Alberta-based travel agents to Portugal.
“While many TTC Tour Brand FAMs focus on Trafalgar and Insight Vacations, the decision was made to switch it up and see how the more independent tours work,” she said. “The group started in style in the Amsterdam KLM lounge, the best way to spend a flight connection… and enjoy some mimosas.”
After joining the Picturesque Portugal tour to Lisbon, Fatima, and Porto, Berg says everyone was surprised about how many quality ‘choice experiences’ were offered.
“I love that there were excursions included and others we choose, because we all have things we want to see so it’s nice to beat the tourists to those sights and then be able to also have free time,” noted Kelly Dibben, one of the agents on the trip.
While some days featured included sightseeing and local specialists, others were left completely free, with the option to add the ‘choice experiences.’
“One of the free days in Lisbon offered a treat specifically curated for the AMA group of travel agents, hosted by Tourism Portugal,” Berg says. “The group tasted a salt-baked cod lunch, trolley ride, and epic views. The Costsaver Tour Director Rui was fun, informative and personable. Everyone loved him and the fact that he was Portuguese and has had many years of experience within the TTC brands.”
For Jane Walker, a surprise was the tour’s local specialists, especially Isabel. “Her history of Lisbon was very informative and her ways of explaining the history from century to century was very engaging.”
When asked what they appreciated most about this trip, Berg says everyone agreed that they “now feel not only more equipped to recommend Costsaver to travellers who prefer more freedom when travelling, but also how to qualify the traveller to potentially recommend one of the other TTC Tour Brands which may be a better fit, with more central accommodations and more included experiences.”
Meanwhile, agent Chloe Huntley enjoyed the location of the hotels as they were slightly out from the bustling city center. After a day of exploring she said that “it was so busy before and when I was walking back to the hotel it was so peaceful and nice.” She also added that, “the TTC Tour Brands website is so easy to use, I find answers to every question that I have, the information on there is so great.”
Travel agents Lauren Gauthier and Sharol Zalaski agreed that “while we felt we were familiar with a classic escorted tour style, it was nice to see an alternative that has more flexibility and options for free days”
Although the group started out as strangers, Berg said everyone bonded over the course of the tour.
“While Costsaver tours are known to be more for the independent traveller, the group bonded in a big way. Many laughs were had, and tears were shed,” she shared. “Travelling on any TTC Tour is special and it truly brings people together, it was heartwarming to prove this to myself once again!”
