Alamosa CVB hosts international journalists and travel trade professionals

ALAMOSA — On May 25, the Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) hosted 21 international guests on a familiarization (or ‘FAM’) tour. This was a part of the Colorado Tourism Office’s larger effort to show attendees of the 2018 IPW trade show, which was held in Denver, what the rest of Colorado has to offer international travelers.

IPW is the largest international inbound travel trade show, where U.S. travel exhibitors connect with travel buyers and media from over 70 countries. IPW sees 1,000 U.S. Travel Organizations from across the country, hosts 1,300 international and domestic buyers and generates $4.7 billion dollars in future travel to the U.S.

The Colorado Tourism Office, in conjunction with various travel destinations around Colorado, set up various post-IPW FAMs that IPW attendees could participate in. The 7 post-IPW FAMs reached all corners of the state and offered a variety of scenic tours and activities.

The Alamosa CVB hosted one of the post-IPW FAM groups for one day, showing participants the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Zapata Ranch and ending the day with a private dinner at the Roast, featuring local San Luis Valley cuisine.

The attendees that visited Alamosa included 11 journalists and 10 travel trade professionals, from all over the world, including France, Romania, the United Kingdom, China, Canada, Belgium, Australia, Mexico, Jordan and Germany.

IPW is expected to have a substantial economic impact for Denver. With the addition of the post-IPW FAMs, which economic impact is expected to spread throughout Colorado. By participating, the Alamosa CVB was able to showcase what Alamosa and the surrounding San Luis Valley has to offer international travelers.

The Alamosa CVB hosts many FAM tours throughout the year for both domestic and international journalists and travel trade professionals.

“FAM tours are an amazing low-cost, high impact marketing tool. Nothing sells better than first-hand experience,” said Elizabath Sumner, Sales and Event Manager for the Alamosa CVB.

Caption: Journalists and travel trade professionals from all over the world enjoy activities at the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve as part of their FAM (familiarization) tour./Photo courtesy of Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau