The right on-the-ground partner handles the complex ground logistics, unlocks insider access and experiences your client cannot book online, and provides trusted local support throughout the trip. That means a smoother, higher-value trip for your client, and less planning time for you. This guide helps you find and choose the right partner from Fora's vetted Portal partners.
It covers both partner types: DMCs (Destination Management Companies), the local in-destination experts who handle ground arrangements, and Multi-Day Tour operators, specialist companies that run pre-designed, multi-day guided trips, shared group or private.
Step 1: Deciding if it is a DMC or Multi-Day Tour trip
Before you go looking, decide whether the trip actually calls for an on-the-ground partner, or whether you are better off booking the trip directly yourself. If two or more of the signals below apply, it is probably a DMC trip. A quick gut-check: if you are about to spend three or more hours researching logistics yourself, that is your sign to bring in a DMC.
Use a DMC when:
The trip is complex or multi-destination, with lots of moving parts
The destination benefits from local expertise, or it is one you are less familiar with
The logistics are hard to coordinate remotely: a big time-zone difference, a language barrier, or complex internal transport
Your client wants full-service, hands-on support and unique experiences throughout the trip
You are working with families, multi-gen groups, or clients with specific requirements (mobility, dietary, adventure)
The trip involves safari, where local expertise and on-the-ground support are essential rather than optional
The destination is one that is almost always a DMC trip, such as a safari, or remote or expedition travel
Use a Multi-Day Tour when:
Your client is highly active or has a niche interest, such as biking, hiking, or adventure travel
Your client wants a group dynamic, or is a solo traveler who would benefit from joining others
Your client already knows the operator and is asking you to handle the booking
The destination has a natural fixed route that does not need bespoke planning (Egypt is a good example)
Your client's budget does not support a fully bespoke trip but they still want a structured, guided experience
Book direct (skip an on-the-ground partner) when:
It is a simple city stay, beach trip, or hotel-only booking
Your client wants full independence and no on-the-ground support
The trip is very last minute
Your client is cost-conscious and isn’t interested in much touring
Step 2: Search Portal
There are two ways to find partners in Portal: you can use the filters within the DMC tab on the “Partners” page in Portal or ask Via to help. Fora Advisors can work with partners who are not in Portal, but vet them carefully, since they are not vetted and Fora cannot step in if something goes wrong.
Searching manually
Go to the Book tab in Portal, then Partners, then select the tab “DMCs & Multiday Tours”.
Search by destination, or use the filters: partner type, country, price tier, trip category, and price breakdown.
Asking Via
Via is Fora's AI agent. You can ask it for partner recommendations in plain language, whether you want help shortlisting a partner for a trip or want to learn more about a specific one.
Via draws on everything stored in Portal, so it can tell you the regions and markets a DMC serves, what advisors are saying in their reviews, and details such as budget minimums, the types of trips they handle, group and language capabilities, and their other offerings.
Ask open-ended questions, such as "Which DMCs handle luxury family safaris in Tanzania?" or "Tell me about this partner's budget minimums and the trips they service."
Step 3: Narrow by fit
Destination and specialty
DMCs are local and destination-specific, so start with where your client is going. Multi-Day Tour operators work across many markets, so you can also search them by destination, but it is often more useful to narrow by trip specialty (escorted touring, biking and walking, rail, small-group adventure, and more), since that is what sets them apart.
Average price tier
Match the partner's average price tier to your client's per-person-per-day budget:
Lifestyle: under $750 per person per day
Luxury: $750 to $1,500 per person per day
Ultra Luxury: $1,500+ per person per day
Average price tier allows you to quickly sort out DMCs that may be too high end for your client’s trip. Once on a partner’s page, review their per-person-per-day minimum, and ask the partner directly if it is not shown. Also confirm whether the partner can provide a cost breakdown, an itemized view of what the client is paying for. Some clients need this transparency to feel comfortable booking, so confirm it early.
Reserve vs Partner
Fora Reserve is Fora's curated program of its deepest direct supplier partnerships with extensive booking histories with Fora Advisors; Reserve partners are badged and prioritized in Portal search, with their perks and commercial terms shown in their profile. Partners outside Reserve that appear in Portal can still be booked and the best fit always depends on your client's trip.
Booking flexibility
Some partners require you to book the client’s entire trip through them, including hotels as well as transportation and touring; other partners allow you to book accommodation directly while they handle just the transportation and touring services. Filter by booking flexibility when you know that you’ll want to book all of the hotels for your client’s trip directly to attain the best commission and perks, or when you know your client would like the ease of a single payment to a partner.
Note: There are cases in which DMCs who require comprehensive trip bookings will make exceptions and allow an Advisor to book one hotel on their own. For example, advisors with FSIDs with the Four Seasons may want to book a Four Seasons property directly to get booking credit. If you anticipate a case like this, it is ok to inquire about the ability to book one hotel on your own when you send your initial inquiry to the DMC. However, this should always be aligned with the partner upfront and not after they have begun planning a custom itinerary for your client.
Step 4: Vet your shortlist
Vetting is about confirming the partner you are considering is the right fit for the specific trip and can deliver it well. A partner who looks great in general can still be wrong for a particular destination, style, or budget, so this step is what protects your client's experience. Weigh these signals:
Reviews and ratings. Advisor feedback in Portal is your best signal of quality and reliability. Issues can arise on any trip, so the real mark of a great partner is how quickly and well they resolve them.
Lead time. The earlier you reach out, the better your options. Confirm the partner can work within your timeline. Plan for three to six months of lead time, or six to twelve in peak season; some DMCs will not take an inquiry if the start date is sooner.
White label. White label means the partner produces the itinerary without their own branding, so you can present it as your own. Not all partners offer it, so check what your client expects.
Communication and responsiveness. This is not shown in Portal, so look for it in advisor reviews and gauge it from your own early back-and-forth. A slow or vague first reply is a warning sign for how the rest of the planning process may go.
After you have chosen a partner
Once you have your shortlist down to one, reach out with a client brief using the inquiry email template. The Step-by-Step Booking Guide covers exactly how, from the inquiry template through confirming rates and logging the booking.
New to DMCs? We recommend completing the DMC training before your first booking.