MTA: With their agents through thick and thin
![MTA: With their agents through thick and thin](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
MTA – Mobile Travel Agents (MTA) strives to make sure its clients feel looked after, they are passionate about travel and always approachable and ready when needed. But in the times when it’s not the client who needs the support, but the advisors themselves, MTA can be the shoulder the advisor needs to lean on.
No one knows this better than MTA Platinum member – Shayne Earley and her trusted colleague Jodie Simms, otherwise known as the dynamic duo.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/4-768x1024.jpg)
The MTA Berry Dynamic Duo. (Supplied)
Shayne has an impressive and varied career in the travel industry, having worked across wholesale, hotels, airline reservations, and management roles, before ending up in retail travel in 2010. It was in working in an agency environment that Shayne really found her passion and was accepted into MTA in 2014 where she was able to put her extensive industry experience together and run her own mobile travel agency. In 2019, Shayne also had the opportunity to take over an existing agency and open the first MTA branded shop front agency in Berry, NSW.
Assisting Shayne in her MTA journey is Jodie Simms, who began her career at Jetset Training College before working in both wholesale and retail travel, then working part-time in retail travel before joining Shayne in her MTA business. Jodie is also known locally for her positive attitude and her determination to face challenging situations head on.
Three years ago Jodie’s father passed away from cancer, spurring her onto being part of the ‘Stars of Nowra’s Dancing With The Stars’, raising money for the NSW Cancer Council.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3-768x1024.jpg)
Jodie Simms at ‘Stars of Nowra’s Dancing With The Stars’, (Supplied)
Not long after Jodie signed up for the fundraiser, where she managed to raise over $57,000, her employer Shayne was diagnosed with cancer herself and is currently facing a nine-month treatment at one of the clinics that will directly benefit from Jodie’s fundraising.
Asked on the support from MTA in relation to personal stages in her life, Earley said, “MTA has always supported me from the minute I joined but just before COVID I took over a brick-and-mortar business of their forward sales as they were retiring and then COVID hit.”
Not only did MTA support her through the dark days of COVID, but when an even tougher battle reared its head, MTA was again there to help in any way they can.
“I was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian Cancer which was a massive shock and MTA has made the process of getting well again much easier by helping with my workload and taking the stress off me while I have days I need to recover. “
“To be able to still make a good income and keep my business going while going through cancer treatment is amazing.”
“With the great relationships we have with our supply partners we were able to raffle off a 5 night all-inclusive stay at Club Med thanks to the wonderful team at Club Med and this raised $16K of the $57K that was the total. Plus our MTA members donated to help us reach that amazing goal. It was a team effort for sure.”
“To be part of MTA is to be part of a family. Head office treats you like family and the other MTA members become friends. There is not a sense of competition between MTA members but a sense of family which makes working with them truly a great experience.”
“MTA supports the fact that this is your business and your life and work-life balance is supported by MTA by being flexible so you can run your business your way,” Simms, said.
“They also support me when I am on holiday and now that Shayne is ill they are helping me with the extra workload. They are so family-focused and very supportive both personally and with your business.”
Simms said the biggest lure to working with Shayne through MTA was, “flexibility to be able to work in travel around my other commitments, and the support MTA provide and also their great product offerings to enable me to individualise each client’s holiday.”
“Being both in store and mobile is a great combination as we can still see clients in their home or after hours or in the office,” Earley, said.
“It also gives us the flexibility to open and close when we want as most people know we are also mobile and make an appointment to see us. Having the store does make you a bigger part of the community as people pop in for a chat or a coffee, just to ask a few questions or to say hi and how great their last holiday was.”
MTA is the biggest mobile travel network in Australia with over 450 highly experienced travel advisors nationally who specialise in offering customised travel planning to thousands each year.
Agents who join MTA get big agency power and connections and maintain the ability to provide personalised service for their clients, as well as marketing support, training and back office support. MTA are also members of the by-invite only Virtuoso, the world’s largest luxury travel network.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Jodie Simms mobile travel agents mta Shayne EarleyLatest News
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?