AGENT TALK
Gerry’s Guide To The Best Of South Africa
Gerry’s Guide To The Best Of South Africa
School principal, volcanologist, gold miner and now tour guide. GERRY JENNEKER (pictured above) has had an incredibly colourful life, including more than 20 years in the tourism industry. Here he chats with Traveltalk’s Jon Underwood. Q: Gerry, your CV runs to about 70 pages but can you give us…
March 12, 2025My Life As A Travel Agent
My Life As A Travel Agent
We talk to travel agents at the coal face to see why they got into the industry in the first place, whether the journey has been worth it and their hopes for the future.
March 12, 2025In Search Of The Northern Lights
In Search Of The Northern Lights
MARIA VASILI, senior consultant at Bay Travel and Cruise in Beaumaris, Victoria, shares her adventures on a recent trip to the Arctic.
March 11, 2025Come With Me On An Aloha Adventure
Come With Me On An Aloha Adventure
JADE GARLICK, Owner of Roast & Roam in Sydney, reports on a recent famil to Hawaii. (Above) The group at Pearl Harbor with Jade third from right Hawaii is a place that I feel very connected to and which holds a special piece of my heart. So I was delighted…
March 10, 2025When Every Picture Tells A Travel Story
When Every Picture Tells A Travel Story
HADRIEL TORRES is an award-winning travel photographer currently based in Perth. Here he shares some of his favourite pictures and explains why he was moved to take each shot. Over the past decade, I have journeyed across the globe, capturing the beauty of nature and the richness of diverse…
March 7, 2025Why Alana’s Totally Onboard Her New Role
Why Alana’s Totally Onboard Her New Role
ALANA SALE is the new Luxury Travel Manager for Complex Travel Group’s new Onboard Luxury brand. Here she tells us a little more about herself.
March 5, 2025Elvis, The Opry And Good Ole’ Southern Hospitality
Elvis, The Opry And Good Ole’ Southern Hospitality
Here LISA BOND from Travelwise (far left) reviews a famil to Nashville and Memphis in Tennessee. Prior to this famil opportunity neither Nashville or Memphis were on my travel radar - the most I knew was that Nashville was the Country Music capital of the world. I have never been…
March 4, 2025Celebrating Women in Travel: International Women’s Day 2025 with AAT Kings
Celebrating Women in Travel: International Women’s Day 2025 with AAT Kings
In honour of International Women’s Day 2025, AAT Kings shines a spotlight on the inspiring women who help shape the travel industry. From marketing and sales to tour guiding and operations, women play a crucial role in delivering unforgettable travel experiences. We spoke with a group of remarkable women from…
March 3, 2025Aussie Agents Mix It With Monaco Monarchy
Aussie Agents Mix It With Monaco Monarchy
It’s not often an overseas famil offers the chance to rub shoulders with a royal family. SARAH WEBSTER from Wayfinder Travel in Teneriffe, Queensland, explains how it all came about.
March 3, 2025The Day Tiffany Surprised The Pope
The Day Tiffany Surprised The Pope
Uniworld has just appointed a new Business Development Manager for Victoria and Tasmania. Here we find out more about TIFFANY MESTRINHO, including the day she gate crashed the Pontiff.
March 2, 2025Exoticca: Inspire Extraordinary Travel & Earn More
Exoticca: Inspire Extraordinary Travel & Earn More
When it comes to offering your customers extraordinary travel experiences, Exoticca is your go-to partner. Our expertly crafted itineraries provide an effortless way for travel advisors to sell dream holidays while enjoying full commission on all components, including airfare and taxes. With seamless booking and exclusive discounts, there’s never been…
March 2, 2025Bench Warms Up Travel Agents At Launch Party
Bench Warms Up Travel Agents At Launch Party
There were drums, there were dancers and there were sundowners. All that was missing was an elephant or two as Bench Africa launched their glossy new brochure at a special function last night. Members of the Bench Africa team – including managing director Glen Rawlings who had flown in from…
February 26, 2025Making Kakadu A Must See
Making Kakadu A Must See
Proud First Nations woman LAUREN GANLEY has just been appointed Chair of Kakadu Tourism. Here she shares her vision for the future of one of Australia’s unique tourism destinations.
February 14, 2025Why Kim Is Passionate About Paying It Forward
Why Kim Is Passionate About Paying It Forward
Holly Velardo and Kim Wethmar (right) Q: Can you give us a bit of background on TIME and what it’s aims are? A: For me, TIME was created to nurture and develop the next generation of leaders, specifically within the travel industry. The aim of mentorship is around accelerating personal…
February 12, 2025My Journey To A Land Of Fire And Water
My Journey To A Land Of Fire And Water
ALISON FINCH, Cruise Product Co-Ordinator, My Cruises, reports back on a recent famil to discover the secrets of Kyushu in Japan.
February 10, 2025The Stars Come Out On Reward Trip
The Stars Come Out On Reward Trip
Southern California has been in the news for tragic reasons lately so we thought we’d offer a little cheer with this chat with MARY PARONIS, Manager/Owner, Helloworld Travel Elizabeth in South Australia, who was on the Global Stars SoCal 2024 trip late last year.
February 10, 2025Here’s The Inside Story On Inside Travel Group
Here’s The Inside Story On Inside Travel Group
From two blokes in a spare bedroom to a travel company spanning the globe. Alastair Donnelly and Simon King are the brains behind Inside Travel Group. Here, Alastair chats to Traveltalk’s Jon Underwood about the company’s remarkable success story.
February 7, 2025Qatar And Celestyal: A Match Made In Heaven
Qatar And Celestyal: A Match Made In Heaven
32 agents from around the world were hosted on a Qatar super fam in the Arabian Gulf recently. LAURA CLARKE from Events At Sea was among them and reveals just what they got up to.
February 7, 2025Friendly Vibe Seals The Deal For Lindy
Friendly Vibe Seals The Deal For Lindy
The prospect of personalised support prompted LINDY GOODWIN, owner of Oh Travel Co in Goondiwindi in Queensland, to join the Travellers Choice network. In this exclusive interview, she reveals why the decision was a “no-brainer” and shares exciting plans for her company’s future.
February 5, 2025Susan Macdonald: Getty’s ‘truly unique’ Australian connection
Susan Macdonald: Getty’s ‘truly unique’ Australian connection
It's one of the most well known names in the world. You don't have to have visited one of its locations to know the name. Getty is not only an institution, it's also the dream workplace of Australian Susan Macdonald. Macdonald, who has a bachelor of science (architecture) and a…
February 4, 2025Anneke’s Dream Job In The Dream State
Anneke’s Dream Job In The Dream State
Tourism Western Australia has appointed highly experienced hospitality and hotel project manager ANNEKE BROWN as their new Managing Director. In this exclusive interview for Traveltalk, she shares her thoughts on the role and her plans to put WA on the world map.
February 4, 2025Dani Finally Makes Her Bali Bow
Dani Finally Makes Her Bali Bow
Seven personal travel managers visited Bali with Hoot Holidays on their annual ‘Hoot Legends’ famil recently. For DANIELLE GONCALVES, it was her first visit to the destination. So what did she think?
February 3, 2025It Is All About The Detail
It Is All About The Detail
Here we meet KAREN PRIDEAUX, the new Senior Manager of Trade Marketing for the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).
February 3, 2025My Trip To The North Pole
My Trip To The North Pole
ROLAND HOWLETT from Frontier Travel in Sydney reveals what it was like to join the select few to stand on the North Pole.
December 5, 2024Chantal Gets A Taste Of China
Chantal Gets A Taste Of China
CHANTAL VAVASOUR from Helloworld Stanhope Gardens in NSW was a guest on a recent famil to China organised by Helloworld Travel, Wendy Wu Tours and China Southern Airlines. Here she talks to us about the experience.
December 5, 2024How I Came To Experience The Extraordinary
How I Came To Experience The Extraordinary
COMO Hotels and Resorts and Seabourn have partnered to host an exclusive land and cruise famil in Europe. DANA MICHAEL of Y Travel reveals why the trip proved to be so special.
December 5, 2024On Track For A French Adventure
On Track For A French Adventure
Rail Europe recently hosted travel advisors on a week-long famil to France. NATALIE DAW from Helloworld Travel Camberwell in Melbourne reports back.
December 5, 2024How Louise Is Putting The Graft In At Grafton
How Louise Is Putting The Graft In At Grafton
LOUISE THOMPSON has just taken over the reins at Grafton Travel in NSW from previous owner Corey Bertalli. In her first interview since assuming the role, Louise discusses her plans for the business and the travel scene in general.
December 5, 2024Why Jade Is Coming To America
Why Jade Is Coming To America
Here we learn more about JADE GLASHOFF, who has just been appointed Brand USA Director for Australia and New Zealand.
December 5, 2024Naome Set To Put Runs On The Board
Naome Set To Put Runs On The Board
Thirty year travel veteran NAOME BURDON has just been voted onto the Travellers Choice board. Here, the Owner/Manager of Argyle Travel and Cruise in Naracoorte, SA, reveals what she’ll bring to the role and her thoughts on travel’s future.
December 5, 2024Sorrento, Salmonella, Snorkelling & Small Group Touring
Sorrento, Salmonella, Snorkelling & Small Group Touring
Globus family of brands recently welcomed DARREN SINCLAIR as Business Development Manager. Here we find out more about his career and his thoughts on the new role.
December 5, 2024Thailand…But Not As You’d Expect It
Thailand…But Not As You’d Expect It
MTA Travel Advisor JESSICA HELLAK discovers parts of this fascinating country that she didn’t know existed.
November 6, 2024Cathy Says Good Morning Vietnam…again
Cathy Says Good Morning Vietnam…again
More than a decade after her last visit, CATHY HIRST from Little Travel House reviews a recent famil trip to Vietnam.
November 6, 2024Sancerre & The Central Loire. Much More Than Great Wine
Sancerre & The Central Loire. Much More Than Great Wine
Wine educator and wine tourism specialist BRIGID KENNEDY helps travel agents create itineraries for their wine enthusiast clients. Here she reports on a recent visit to one of France’s renowned wine regions that is less known as a tourism destination.
November 6, 2024How Much Truth Can You Bear?
How Much Truth Can You Bear?
In one of the most emotional, confronting and powerful presentations ever delivered to a travel audience, animal welfare activist JILL ROBINSON from Animals Asia outlined her work in ending the bear bile trade at the Travellers Choice conference in Sydney.
November 6, 2024Welcome To The ‘Funnest’ Tours In Australia
Welcome To The ‘Funnest’ Tours In Australia
Founded in 2018 in Sydney, Local Sauce Tours have gone on to win multiple awards and have just launched into Brisbane. In this exclusive interview, we talk to the founder of LST, JUSTIN STEELE.
November 6, 2024How I’m Preparing For Solo Life On The Road
How I’m Preparing For Solo Life On The Road
Setting off on a life-changing trip around Australia as a single woman would be daunting for many. In this exclusive article, ELIZABETH MEECHAN reveals how she’s preparing for the challenges ahead.
November 6, 2024Could This Spider Spin You A Money Web?
Could This Spider Spin You A Money Web?
A mother and son team have just launched a social media and digital marketing agency – The Social Spider - exclusively for the Australian travel industry. We ask industry veteran SAM PATTON what she and son Noah hope to achieve with the new venture.
November 6, 2024A Cruise So Good I Can Still Taste It
A Cruise So Good I Can Still Taste It
RENEE HAYWARD from Travelling Places in Queensland reviews a recent European river cruise with Viking.
October 9, 2024Time To Give Mexico A Wave
Time To Give Mexico A Wave
HAYLEY SEREBRO from FBI Travel reviews a recent famil to Los Cabos in Mexico.
October 9, 2024