Avis scholarship returns with customer service focus

The Avis Travel Agent Scholarship is back with a brand new look, and a strong focus on fresh customer service innovation, not to mention their revamped prize package!

Image: (L-R): Scholarship judge Oliver Tams (Director Strategic Partnerships, Think), Kaye Ceille (Managing Director Pacific Region Avis Budget Group), 2016 Scholarship recipient Barbara Baron (Sylvania Travel & Cruise, NSW) and 2003 Scholarship recipient Michelle Ashcroft (Phil Hoffmann Travel, SA).

The scholarship recognises that great travel agents are always looking for inventive ways to serve customers — and it’s that spirit that the program is looking to reward.

Kaye Ceille, Managing Director Pacific Region, Avis Budget Group, said the Scholarship is now seeking travel agents from across Australia and New Zealand who are conceiving and implementing new or novel approaches to delivering customer service.

“Today’s travel agent operates in a hyper-competitive retail environment and to stand apart, consultants must constantly be looking for clever and creative ways to deliver a genuinely memorable service,” said Ceille.

“This year’s Scholarship is looking for travel agents who do just that. It could be through the imaginative use of social media and technology, or the introduction of a new twist on a familiar form of customer engagement.

“If you are taking a new and innovative approach to the way you provide customer service, and you want an opportunity to take that passion for service innovation to a new level then the Avis Scholarship is for you.”

The 2017 recipient of the Avis Travel Agent Scholarship will receive return Qantas Airways tickets, accommodation and car hire, with the option of travelling to the United States, Europe or Asia to attend a Phocuswright conference.

Phocuswright events are globally renowned for bringing together forward thinkers in an engaging and innovative format.

In addition, the Scholarship’s educational and travel-related prize package includes:

12 months’ individual membership of Cruise Lines International Association Australasia (with exclusive access to the CLIA Accreditation Program and unlimited access to the CLIA Learning Academy) and free registration to attend Cruise360, the industry’s largest professional development event of the year, in Sydney in 2018
a Polonious Resources Personal Profile, Feedback Session and on-call personal/professional coaching for 12 months
two tickets to the 2018 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards Gala Dinner (including return flights and overnight accommodation).

As in previous years, the Scholarship is open to all leisure and corporate travel agents.

To take part agents simply need to visit www.avisscholarship.com in order to register and answer a series of online questions on their approach to customer service innovation.

Agents will have until 9 October 2017 to submit their application – which can be in written or video format – with finalists announced on 26 October 2017.

Finalists will receive return flights to Sydney and accommodation on 13 November to attend a judging session and a presentation dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. In addition, all finalists will receive a Personal Behavioural Profile and a consultation session with a Polonious Business Coach.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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