Pre- & Post-Summit FAM Experiences

As an extension of the SYTA Summit experience, select pre- and post-Summit FAM (Familiarization) programs may be offered for members seeking deeper destination insight and product development opportunities.

Explore the opportunities below to learn more.

These curated experiences are designed for decision-makers looking to evaluate destinations firsthand, build supplier relationships, and identify scalable opportunities for student and youth travel programs. Each FAM is intentionally structured to combine on-the-ground experience with practical business application.

Participation is limited and may require a separate application and registration process. Each program will vary in focus, structure, and capacity.

Explore the opportunity below to learn more about the current offering. 

Explore the Pre-Summit FAM
Explore the Post-Summit FAM

Pre-Summit FAM: Hawaiʻi Island Student Travel Experience

Before the SYTA Summit 2027 in Honolulu, SYTA members are invited to take part in a Hawaiʻi Island Pre-Summit FAM designed to showcase the island’s potential for student travel.

This experience offers participants the opportunity to explore Hawaiʻi Island firsthand, connect with local experiences, and evaluate the destination through a student travel lens. From volcanoes and marine ecosystems to agriculture and cultural experiences, the program highlights the variety of educational and experiential opportunities available to student groups.

Traveling from Hilo to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and across to the Kona Coast, participants will experience the island’s diverse landscapes, activities, and attractions while gaining insight into how these experiences can be incorporated into future student travel programs. The FAM concludes in Kona, with participants traveling onward to Honolulu to join SYTA Summit 2027.

Program Snapshot

    • Dates: January 16–19, 2027
    • Destination: Hawaiʻi Island
    • Regions Featured: Hilo, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and Kona
    • Hosted by: Polynesian Adventure Tours
    • Participant Profile: SYTA members
    • Accommodations: SCP Hilo Hotel and Royal Kona Resort
    • Meals Included: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners
    • Cost: Complimentary for Tour Operators | Participation fee applies for Sponsors & Suppliers

Participants should plan to arrive in Hilo on Saturday, January 16. On Sunday, January 17, participants joining the FAM should plan to arrive in Hilo by 11:00 a.m. The program concludes in Kona on Tuesday, January 19, with participants traveling onward to Honolulu to attend SYTA Summit 2027.

Featured Experiences Include:

Participants will leave with firsthand destination knowledge, a better understanding of the island’s student travel offerings, and new ideas for incorporating Hawaiʻi Island into future group itineraries. From Kona, participants will continue on to to attend SYTA Summit 2027.

    • Hilo Welcome & Lei Making – Begin the FAM with a welcome dinner featuring local favorites, followed by a hands-on lei-making experience.
    • Hilo Farmers Market – Explore downtown Hilo and experience the vibrant local market, offering an introduction to the community and local culture.
    • Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park – Discover one of Hawaiʻi Island’s most iconic natural environments, including dramatic craters, steam vents, and lava fields.
    • Kona Coast Snorkel Adventure – Explore the vibrant reefs and marine life of the Kona Coast during a guided snorkeling experience aboard Body Glove.
    • Kona Cloud Forest – Experience Hawaiʻi Island’s unique upcountry environment during a guided walk through the Kona Cloud Forest.
    • Kona Coffee Experience – Visit Kona Joe Coffee Farm to learn how world-famous Kona coffee is grown, harvested, and transformed from tree to cup.

Throughout the FAM, participants will experience a mix of educational, cultural, environmental, and adventure-based activities that can help inform future student travel programming to Hawaiʻi Island.

Participants will leave with firsthand destination knowledge, a better understanding of the island’s student travel offerings, and new ideas for incorporating Hawaiʻi Island into future group itineraries. From Hilo, participants will continue on to Honolulu to attend SYTA Summit 2027.

What Is Included

Polynesian Adventure Tours will host the approved group for the on-ground FAM program, including

    • Accommodation with hotel partners
    • In-destination transportation
    • Curated experiences and activities
    • Selected meals
    • Access to local attractions and experiences
    • Flight from Kona (KOA) to Honolulu (HNL)
    • Transfer to the Waikiki hotel

What Is Not Included

Participants are responsible for:

    • Airfare to Hilo
    • Airfare for travel after the Summit
    • Travel insurance
    • Personal expenses and incidentals
    • Any expenses outside of the scheduled FAM program

Participation & Application

Please complete this form to register for the SYTA Pre-FAM Tour.

For Supplier registrations, a payment link will be sent once your registration is complete. Cancellations must be received at least 14 days prior to the tour start date.

Questions? Please contact Kelly Camps at [email protected] or Kat Fisher at [email protected].

Tour Operators: Participation is complimentary.

There is no cost for Tour Operators to attend.

Suppliers and Sponsors are also welcome to participate. A participation rate applies based on arrival date and room occupancy:

Day 1 Arrival | Overnight in Hilo
Double Occupancy: $585 per person | Single Occupancy: $815 per person

Day 2 Arrival
Double Occupancy: $450 per person | Single Occupancy: $610 per person

Rates will be available once the interest form opens.

Post-Summit FAM: New Zealand Student Travel Experience

Following the SYTA Summit 2027 in Honolulu, a select group of SYTA member leaders will be invited to take part in an exclusive North Island New Zealand FAM Trip.

Designed as a high-impact buyer program, this experience goes beyond traditional familiarization. It is intentionally built for decision-makers looking to actively expand into New Zealand, with a focus on product validation, supplier access, and real-world program development.

Across Auckland, the Bay of Islands, and Rotorua, participants will engage directly with key partners, explore scalable student travel experiences, and assess operational logistics firsthand. The goal is simple: to return with the relationships, insight, and confidence needed to successfully build and sell New Zealand programs within the next 12–24 months.

Program Snapshot

    • Dates: January 25 – February 1, 2027
    • Destination: New Zealand (North Island only)
    • Regions Featured: Auckland, Bay of Islands, Rotorua
    • Hosted by: Tour Time
    • Participant Profile: SYTA member company owners and senior decision-makers
    • Capacity: Limited to 20–24 participants
    • Cost: Complimentary for Tour Operators

Participants should plan to arrive in Auckland on Monday, January 25, following travel from Honolulu. The program concludes in Auckland on Monday, February 1, with onward or return travel options available.

Featured Experiences May Include:

    • Auckland Waterfront Welcome & Orientation – Arrival briefing and evening welcome dinner overlooking the harbor.
    • Goat Island Marine Reserve & Northland Journey – Explore coastal ecosystems and journey north through one of New Zealand’s most scenic regions.
    • Matapōuri & Tutukaka Coast – Experience beaches, swimming, and coastal exploration in a relaxed learning environment.
    • Bay of Islands & Waitangi Treaty Grounds – Gain insight into Māori history, culture, and the foundational Treaty of Waitangi experience.
    • Hobbiton Movie Set – Visit one of New Zealand’s most iconic film tourism destinations with global student appeal.
    • Rotorua Cultural & Geothermal Experiences – Engage with Māori cultural performance, traditional hāngī dining, and geothermal landscapes.
    • STEM & Education Programming in Rotorua – Explore curriculum-linked learning opportunities including science, geography, and sport integration.
    • Controlled Adventure Experience (Rotorua) – Participate in a guided activity such as white-water rafting with safety, risk, and duty-of-care focus.
    • Auckland Product Development Workshop – Final session focused on building New Zealand itineraries, pricing strategies, and supplier engagement.

The FAM concludes with structured workshops and supplier connections designed to support immediate product development and long-haul student travel programming.

Participants will return with first-hand destination knowledge, strengthened supplier relationships, and practical tools to confidently build and sell New Zealand student travel itineraries.

What Is Included

Tour Time will host the approved group for the on-ground FAM program, including:

    • Accommodation with hotel partners
    • In-destination transportation
    • Curated site inspections and experiences
    • Selected meals
    • Access to regional partners, attractions, and key tourism stakeholders

What Is Not Included

Participants are responsible for:

    • International flights to and from New Zealand
    • SYTA participation / administration fee
    • Travel insurance
    • Personal expenses and incidentals
    • Any optional post-FAM extension costs

An optional extension may be offered following the FAM. This would be subsidized but not complimentary.

Participation & Application

This program is designed for SYTA member company owners and senior decision-makers who are in a position to assess, contract, and sell New Zealand within their student and youth travel portfolio.

Ideal participants will demonstrate:

    • Active engagement in student and youth travel
    • Proven ability to generate group volume
    • Interest across education, sports, performance, or special interest travel
    • Clear intent to develop New Zealand programming within the next 12–24 months

Participation is limited and subject to approval. This is a vetted program, not first-come, first-served.

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

    • Business fit and market relevance
    • Product conversion potential
    • Geographic and segment diversity
    • Alignment with SYTA’s strategic objectives

To be considered, please complete the application form here.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Brent Imrie, Managing Director, Tour Time at [email protected]

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