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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, 2025
My 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, 2025
In 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, 2025
Come 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, 2025
When 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, 2025
Why 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, 2025
Elvis, 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, 2025
Celebrating 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, 2025
Aussie 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, 2025
The 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, 2025
Exoticca: 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, 2025
Bench 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, 2025
Making 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, 2025
Why 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, 2025
My 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, 2025
The 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, 2025
Here’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, 2025
Qatar 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, 2025
Friendly 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, 2025
Susan 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, 2025
Anneke’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, 2025
Dani 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, 2025
It 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, 2025
My 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, 2024
Chantal 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, 2024
How 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, 2024
On 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, 2024
How 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, 2024
Why 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, 2024
Naome 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, 2024
Sorrento, 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, 2024
Thailand…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, 2024
Cathy 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, 2024
Sancerre & 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, 2024
How 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, 2024
Welcome 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, 2024
How 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, 2024
Could 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, 2024
A 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, 2024
Time 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