Exodus Adventure Travels' Rino Falvo recaps an epic trip to Sri Lanka with travel advisors
Rino Falvo, Business Development Manager: Western Canada/USA, Exodus Adventure Travels
1) Tell us about the FAM trip and where you went. What was the itinerary?
Exodus Adventure Travels hosted an incredible familiarization (FAM) trip to Sri Lanka, following our nine-day Sri Lanka Highlights itinerary. What stands out about this itinerary is the striking contrast of experiences it offers in just over a week, giving a deep and immersive taste of the country in a short time.
2) How were the agents selected to participate? How can agents join an upcoming FAM trip?
At Exodus Adventure Travels, we understand the immense value of FAMs because they allow agents to experience firsthand what their clients will experience. Selection is based on several factors including participation in webinars or training, partnerships with their agency or consortium, and more. We aim to invest in agents across varying levels of experience to ensure a broad representation.
3) What were some of the highlights?
The entire trip was remarkable. Sri Lanka is what I’d describe as a fusion of experiences. We hiked up Sigiriya Rock (also known as Lion’s Rock), visited a local village and had lunch with a family, learned about the tea industry while sipping the finest tea I’ve ever had, received a blessing from a monk at the Temple of the Tooth, savoured a variety of mouth-watering curries, seeing a large gathering of Elephants, and met some of the warmest, most welcoming people in the world.
4) What do you hope the agents took away from this experience?
Our main goal is for agents to experience our tours as their clients would—understanding the value of a small group adventure, the importance of hiring local guides and supporting local communities, and savoring authentic local cuisine. We want them to see firsthand how we create meaningful local experiences for their customers.
5) How do you think FAM trips like this will help agents sell Exodus or this itinerary?
As a former travel agent and trainer, I can confidently say that FAM trips make a significant impact when selling Exodus Adventure Travels. It gives agents a genuine feel for the destination, while also conveying our passion and why we are a trusted choice for their clients.
6) Do you have anything to add?
For agents interested in future FAM opportunities, I encourage you to join our Exodus Agent Collection Facebook page. It’s where we share details about upcoming FAMs, sales, webinars, and more.
