Product training is key

With a focus on conducting at least 16-20 Fam trips for agent partners this year, Akquasun Group aims to ensure there is a strong connect between the destinations and the agents.

TT Bureau

Akquasun Group is clear in its focus and has been going full throttle to fulfil its objective. This year, the key idea is to create a strong connect between the destinations they sell and the agents, and the entire first half of the year has been leading up to this aim. Revealing this is BA Rahim, Group Director & CEO, Akquasun Group. He says, “We want to ensure that our partners connect with what they are selling. In order to do this, we have planned an entire year of familiarisation trips for them to different destinations. We are happy to announce that we are organising 16-20 familiarisation tours only to Maldives this year. We have already completed about five so far. In the coming months, we will be doing a minimum of 12-13 Fams for our clients and the effects of this have already started showing.”

Not just this, the group is also giving them product training, clarifying their doubts and sharing information about various products. “We want to do whatever we can to increase their knowledge about the destinations. Agents are not always updated about new products and services that are being introduced in different countries. Every year, destinations are introducing new hotels, new theme parks, new services, new restaurants and we want our partners to be abreast of all these updates,” Rahim adds. The 12-year-old Akquasun India now owns 17 DMCs in 205 countries.

In the coming months, we will be doing a minimum of 12-13 Fams for our clients and the effects of this have started showing

Changing perceptions

This overhaul has led to a change in the way the agents and corporates in India perceive these destinations. Sujit Nair, Founder & Group Managing Director, Akquasun Group, claims, “We are proud to say that with this kind of training over three to four years, we have managed to change the perception of Maldives from being a purely leisure destination to a group series destination and even MiCE. Today, it appeals to not just leisure tourists like honeymooners, divers and families but also groups and MiCE. We handle groups of about 300-400 pax today. There are a few properties in Maldives that now function full-fledged for MiCE.”

Today, it appeals to not just leisure tourists like honeymooners, divers and families but also groups and MiCE

In turn, the hotels are also doing their part. Nair continues, “Today, every resort in the Maldives has adopted ways to accommodate Indian clientele. They can cater to a Jain, Gujarati, a vegetarian, South Indian, North Indian – you name it. Every resort has Indian chefs and every buffet is a huge spread; so there is no worry in terms of food for Indian guests. Plus, every resort has internet connection in rooms which was absent earlier. Each resort now offers Indian TV channels. So a change is coming about and this has been happening after promoting these destinations in India over three to four years.”

Indian Needs

• Today, every resort in the Maldives has adopted ways to cater to a Jain, Gujarati, a vegetarian, South Indian or North Indian