Flavour of the Week
It’s a revolving door of appointments and promotions this week, although we’re lying about the door. There was no door.
Travel Counsellors boosts business development team
Travel Counsellors has recently added two new staff members to their growing business development team. Working from the Travel Counsellors head office in Melbourne, Kerryn Murphy and Zak Zreikat are both now working within the business development unit, providing top level support and professional advice to Travel Counsellors running their businesses from home offices all over Australia.
A Travel Counsellors head office team member since 2010, Kerryn Murphy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new role. Having worked in the business as a product executive and recruitment executive, Murphy has extensive systems understanding and an intimate understanding of the training process.
With her role focusing on assisting new starters going through the induction process, she will play a pivotal role in transitioning new Travel Counsellors into the business and helping them navigate the territory that comes with running their own home-based travel enterprise.
Murphy said, “I am looking forward to assisting new starters at the start of their journey with Travel Counsellors. The induction process is crucial to ensuring new Travel Counsellors get the best start they can, and I hope to make an impact that sets them up for future success.”
Zak Zreikat brings an impressive skillset to his new role within the business development team. With experience working at IBM, General Electric and the University of Ballarat, Zreikat has extensive professional experience in relationship management, business coaching and management training.
He said, “Whether they want to grow their client base by increasing referral rates or look towards finding more corporate clients, I am confident that I can bring the best out of everyone I work with.”
Travellers Choice adds new members in Queensland and Victoria
Travellers Choice is continuing to expand its national retail network with the addition of new member shareholders in Queensland and Victoria.
In Queensland the award-winning group now includes Travel Redcliffe Peninsula, along with digitally-savvy specialist agency Viva Destination Weddings & Travel.
Travel Redcliffe Peninsula is owned and operated by Roslyn Rogers, one of the Queensland travel industry’s most experienced operators and a strong presence in the Redcliffe and Margate communities.
Viva Destination Weddings & Travel owner Mandi Forrester-Jones says she was keen to enjoy the buying power that comes with being part of a strong national network, and to tap into support services that are now helping expand her online-focused business.
“Travellers Choice make it clear that every member is free to do whatever is best for their business, but they are there to support you whenever you need them,” says Forrester-Jones. “For me the digital services, including the website and social media support, are particularly valuable and will play a key role in my company’s growth.”
Sirocco Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice’s newest member in Victoria, is one of the longest-established travel agencies in Geelong, the state’s second biggest city.
Gerlinde Greig, who has owned the company since 1997, says the Travellers Choice culture was evident from the moment she joined the group.
Meanwhile, Travellers Choice has also expanded its footprint in New South Wales with the addition of Coffs Coast Travel Australia.
The company was acquired in late 2016 by Travellers Choice member James Cracknell, who also operates Windsong Travel Bellingen and Windsong Travel Inverell.
New leader appointed to lead Australia’s South West Regional Tourism Organisation
After conducting a thorough recruitment process for the Chief Executive Officer role, Dee Smith, Chair of Australia’s South West (ASW) is pleased to announce the successful appointment of Catrin Allsop to the role.
Smith said, “Catrin’s commitment to ensuring return on investment for the tourism operators in the region, coupled with her industry specific skills were highlighted throughout the recruitment process.
“She’s proven herself through building strong relationships with stakeholders both in and outside of the region and the Board have no doubt she will continue to lead our organisation with the upmost professionalism over the coming years”.
Having acted in the role of CEO since January 2016, Allsop brings strong leadership, proven strategic implementation and effective stakeholder engagement skills to the organisation.
Allsop’s industry representation includes Committee Member of WA Branch of the Australian Tourism Export Council, involvement in key industry projects such as the Airline Engagement Working Group for the Busselton-Margaret River Regional Airport and various collaborations with industry stakeholders in developing Memorandums of Understanding to increase co-operation and reduce duplication of destination marketing.
New Chair for Brisbane Airport Corporation
David Peever has been appointed the new Chairman of the Board of Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Limited (BAC). Peever replaces Bill Grant, who announced his retirement from the Board earlier this year.
BAC is a privately held company which operates Brisbane Airport (BNE) under a long term lease from the Commonwealth. Its shareholders include QIC Limited, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Colonial First State Global Asset Management and IFM Investors.
Peever is a former Managing Director of Rio Tinto Australia and currently serves as Chairman of Cricket Australia and Director of the Foreign Investment Review Board, the Australian Foundation Investment Company and the Stars Foundation.
He chaired the Minister of Defence’s First Principles Review of Defence and following the acceptance of the review by Government now chairs the Oversight Board which helps guide implementation of the Review’s recommendations.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
australia's south west brisbane airport corporation travel counsellors travellers choiceLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.