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'Tipsy agents aren’t the problem at our industry events – it's the freeloaders'

Opinion
Daniel Oates
6 September 2026

Agents who attend events just for the freebies are far more damaging to the industry than those who drink too much, argues travel advisor Daniel Bartholomew Oates.

White man with brown short hair smiling and holding cocktail
Daniel Bartholomew Oates

Daniel Bartholomew Oates, founder of The Awesome Adventure Co, says it's time to clamp down on freebie hunters 

There’s been a lot of talk recently about unprofessional agents at events – and much of it centres on drinking.

People have raised concerns about advisors getting drunk on FAM trips, arriving at site visits hungover and prioritising booze over learning.

Some have even called for event organisers to offer drink vouchers rather than an open bar, and if necessary, to outright ban those agents who overindulge.

This behaviour obviously isn’t acceptable, but I also worry its prevalence is being exaggerated.