The operator is planning to offer agents training opportunities they have “never had before” after launching its largest ever fam trip programme.

The company has created a combined 140 places for agents on educationals next year for its escorted touring operation Cosmos Tours and river cruise line Avalon Waterways.

The worldwide trips, which will total £250,000 in value, will include visits to China, India, the US and Canada.

Janet Parton, head of sales, said the enlarged programme was a means of offering agents “destinations they wouldn’t normally be able to see”, which she said would help boost their product knowledge.

“We could easily just create an online training programme for agents but that wouldn’t give them the benefit, passion and knowledge of actually visiting the destination,” she told TTG.

The nine trips will take place between March and July next year.

To be entered into the draw to win a place on one of the fam trips, agents must make a booking for any Cosmos Tours holiday or Avalon cruise between December 15, 2016 and January 31, 2017.