Fam Trips: Event managers discover MICE Destinations with Pro Sky

DISCOVERY TRAVEL ADVENTURE TOURS GOURMET TRIPS

What exactly does a Fam Trip involve? That depends entirely on the hosts and the destination. “MICE planners want to experience a place and its people, to discover locations. Together with our premium partners, we offer trips to uncover the hidden corners of Mallorca, to enjoy VIP action in Dubai, to savour gourmet trips along the Costa Brava, and to even go on cruises,” says Kusenbach, Director of Sales at Pro Sky. “The wide range of products has had a really positive reception and ensures that even experienced MICE experts will be surprised.” Such popular trips are above all based on collaboration with other MICE professionals, such as Markus Lüthge from maximice. Lüthge is well aware that “the success of a Fam Trip begins and ends with the programme and the interaction between the partners and the group. Particularly when located abroad, hotels need to understand not just how to market their product, but also the destination.” It’s important to show new perspectives, and offer attractive flight options and activities. “Daring to do something new, but with a relaxed approach,” is how Susanne Günther, Key Account Manager at Pro Sky, sums up a Fam Trip. “These trips are a like a catalogue of opportunities.”

“Demand is huge,” reveals Daniel Kusenbach. “German-speaking MICE planners can simply apply for a Fam Trip with us. Our French colleagues also organise regular informational trips like this. But our invitations are offered in a targeted way. We want to keep groups small to allow time for individual discussions. This is the only way to turn a trip into an experience, and to transmit to our guests how their own customers could discover the destination.”

 Apply now for the next Fam Trip 

SARDINIA: COOKING, BASKET WEAVING AND CUTE COVES

Sunshine, Sardinian cuisine, crystal-clear water. Sardinia has so much to offer – and has a very authentic feel. Together with the Italian Hospitality Collection and maximice, in June last year, we invited eight select participants to the island in Chia Laguna. The corporate and agency MICE planners were curious and open-minded, and praised the professional cooperation. “We not only took care of organising flights, but also Find & Fly, the destination report and introduced our Arvidsjaur programme,” says Kusenbach. “This was a way of not just presenting our services, but also of emphasising that Sardinia is ideal for MICE travel. That came across really well.”

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

• Take a Jeep safari to a traditional agri-tourism country house, sample the traditional Sardinian cuisine (goat kid grilled on a skewer) and then hike through the “Grotta Ispinigoli”, one of Europe’s most impressive limestone caves
• A boat tour to hip beaches and bays, swimming in the crystal clear water and then enjoying an aperitivo at the beach bar
• Traditional craftsmanship (basketry, pottery) and preparing culurgiones (Sardinian pasta) filled with mint and pecorino cheese
• A tour of the Chia Laguna hotel/resort (room/conference/spa/beach)

“GREAT INFORMATION, SAW AND EXPERIENCED SO MUCH, ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED. DESPITE A FULL PROGRAMME, IT WASN’T STRESSFUL AT ALL, AND THE HOSTS WERE SO NICE! I THINK IT’S FANTASTIC TO SEE SUCH PERSONALITY SHINING THROUGH PROFESSIONALISM.” MICHAELA HOLZAUER, KEY ACCOUNT | GLOBO INCENTIVE GMBH

DUBAI: JEEP SAFARIS, YACHT EXCURSIONS AND HARLEY TOURS

“With a flight time of about six hours, Dubai is an exotic destination,” says Susanne Günther, Key Account Manager for Pro Sky. “Here you not only immerse yourself into another country but into an entirely new world. The range of original activities on offer makes the Emirates perfect for Fam Trips.” Together with the Four Seasons at Jumeirah Beach and Emirates, Pro Sky enabled just such a trip. “We took care of the flights, rail & MICE tickets, as well as access to the Emirates Lounge at Düsseldorf Airport.” That was how the event began back in Germany for nine select participants. The participants were expecting no end of action in Dubai. “The agents get a complete insight into the activities that are possible, trying them out for themselves,” comments Günther. “You won’t get a more hands-on experience.”

LOCAL ACTIVITIES:

• Visit the site of Expo 2020
• Sunset yacht excursion
• Bus tour with German architects
• Harley Davidson Tour to the Burj Khalifa Dubai with dinner at its base (incl. lasershow)
• Seaplane flight over Dubai’s skyline, beaches, Palm, hotels
• Jeep safari in the desert with dinner
• Hotel/resort tour (room/conference/spa)

“I’M STILL LIVING THE DREAM AFTER THIS FAM TRIP!” MICHAEL STUPPERT, PROJECT MANAGER | RIES EVENTS 

MALLORCA: DONKEY TREKKING, MOTORBIKE TOURS AND ARTIST VISITS

Discover the true beauty of Mallorca. Daniel Kusenbach knows that “it doesn’t really take much. Together with the Belmond Hotel La Residencia, we were able to put together an amazing Fam Trip and invite seven MICE planners along to discover an entirely new side to the island.” Timo Bohn, Global Sales Manager, was also enthused by the collaboration: “Fabulous MICE agencies, great overall programme, reliable partner.” In addition to the hotel’s incredible location, the participants especially enjoyed the activities and culinary delights. “This Fam Trip put a special focus on culture. And it was luxurious at the same time. It was very well received,” comments Kusenbach. “When good feedback on our services is immediately followed by specific inquiries, that’s always a great sign.”

LOCAL ACTIVITIES:

• A stroll through Deía on an artists’ visit
• A donkey trek to a finca with Mallorcan food tastings (olive oil and salt)
• A tri-quad Harley excursion, along the picturesque coast to Port Soller
• A boat tour along the rugged cliffs, stopping off at secluded bays
• Hotel/resort tour (room/conference/spa)

“COMBINING CHARM AND CHARACTER IN COSY, COMFORTABLE, LUXURIOUS PREMISES HAS CREATED A RELAXED, GROUNDED, FEEL-GOOD ATMOSPHERE.” ANDREAS SCHMITZ, MANAGING DIRECTOR | LIBERTY SPORT EVENTS

GIRONA: GOLF, LIVE COOKING AND HISTORIC CITY WALLS

What is it that makes a Fam Trip to Girona so memorable? “The perfect mixture of location, destination and the right hotel products,” affirms Markus Lütghe from maximice. Six participants came not only to enjoy exciting presentations and the luxurious, spacious resorts of the Hotel Camiral, but also to gain a true insight into the advantages that Girona offers as a MICE destination. “The city is ideally suited to conferences,” enthuses Kusenbach. The historic sites in the area and the picturesque mountain landscapes makes Girona an incentive destination. “We were delighted that a participant immediately placed a booking with us after the trip,” said the experienced Fam Trip organiser. 

LOCAL ACTIVITIES:

• A tour through historic Girona with a visit to the conference centre
• A visit to a fortress that can be used as a MICE location
• Live cooking of traditional Catalan cuisine, above the tourist office in Girona
• A golf session at PGA Catalunya
• Hotel/resort tour (room/conference/spa)

APPLY NOW FOR THE NEXT FAM TRIP!

ARE YOU A GERMAN-SPEAKING CORPORATE OR AGENCY EVENT MANAGER?

Then come and discover the most beautiful MICE destinations with Pro Sky. We’d love to consider you as a participant for the next Fam Trip. We’re planning Fam Trips to Colombia, Montenegro and the Costa Brava for 2019. Simply sign up for our newsletter to receive invitations to our Fam Trips. We’ll then advise you shortly before the corresponding informational journey whether you’re one of the select MICE planners.

 Our future Fam Trips:

• 16 to 20 August: Colombia (fully booked)
• 3 to 6 October: Montenegro
• 24 to 27 October: Costa Brava

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