TORONTO — G Adventures is wrapping up a landmark year for its educational travel program, closing out 2025 with more than 150 Canadian travel advisors having explored destinations across six continents.

The tour operator’s FAM trips, which officially conclude in December, took agents to some of G Adventures’ most popular routes, including Japan, Peru, Greece, Morocco, New Zealand, Jordan, South Africa, the Galapagos, Costa Rica and Thailand.

Designed to go beyond traditional FAM formats, the program focused on immersing agents in the company’s philosophy of community tourism and responsible travel.

Castle in Osaka, Japan

“G Adventures has always been an agent-first organization, which is why it’s so important that our FAM trips are intentionally designed to be unlike anything else in the industry,” said David Green, VP of Sales and Managing Director, Canada, for G Adventures. “These aren’t just hotel inspections or surface-level sightseeing trips. Instead, we offer meaningful deep dives into our entire philosophy where we focus on showcasing the ‘heartware’ of a destination, not just the hardware.”

This means agents go beyond the tourist traps to visit the company’s Planeterra community projects, meet the people their clients will impact, and truly understand how community tourism works on the ground, added Green. “When our agents return, they don’t just sell a tour, they sell their own authentic experience along with the conviction that travel can be a powerful force for good. That’s the expertise and confidence that gives them a successful edge and can set them apart in the market.”

Throughout 2025, every FAM trip was led by a local chief experience officer (CEO) and accompanied by a member of the Canadian G Adventures team, ensuring agents received destination training while on the road.

The program’s impact extended beyond agent education. Each 2025 FAM trip contributed to G Adventures’ Trees for Days initiative, resulting in more than 1,200 trees planted worldwide – one for every day an agent spent on a FAM. Participants also visited community enterprises supported by Planeterra, helping ensure tourism dollars directly benefit local people and projects.

AGENT FEEDBACK

Agents who participated described the experiences as both transformative and valuable for business growth. One advisor, who joined the Galapagos FAM, said the trip offered extraordinary wildlife encounters that inspired creative client engagement. “If you ever have the privilege to visit, here’s my advice: squat in front of a barking sea lion on a dock, hit record on your phone, and send a personal video message to each of your top clients. Invite them to join a G Adventures trip of a lifetime,” said Cindie B of Travel Best Bets, noting that she’s already planning a return trip for her top clients next fall.

For Erin D of The Travel Agent Next Door, the Japan Express FAM was equally eye-opening. Travelling from Osaka to Tokyo, her small group explored Mt. Koya, admired views of Mt. Fuji, and experienced Tokyo’s vibrant neighbourhoods. She said the journey deepened her confidence in selling Japan and reminded her of “how special small-group travel can be.”

2026 FAM OPPORTUNITIES

Looking ahead, G Adventures has announced its 2026 FAM lineup, offering new opportunities for Canadian agents to experience destinations while connecting with local cultures and causes. Upcoming programs include hands-on learning experiences such as baking traditional bread with women of Egypt’s Nawaya community, engaging in temple talks with monks in Thailand, exploring Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest, touring Ireland’s Old Bushmills Distillery, visiting coffee farms in Colombia, and learning traditional farming practices in Peru’s Parque de la Papa.

Beyond its FAM program, G Adventures continues to invest in education and incentives for its travel partners. “Our commitment to our agents is centered on the belief that we grow together as true partners,” said Erin Rogers, National Sales Manager for Canada. “We view their success as our own success, and that drives our commitment to supporting them.”

That support includes regular In the Loop webinars, year-round agent discounts, and the G Dollars incentive program — all designed to strengthen agents’ knowledge and confidence in selling small-group adventure travel.

Canadian advisors interested in future G Adventures FAM trips or training opportunities can connect with their local Global Purpose Specialist (GPS) or join the Canadian Agents of Change Facebook group for updates.