MTA: With their agents through thick and thin
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.
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.
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
Agents chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica
Fancy a free spot on an Intrepid Travel trip to Antarctica with key partnerships manager Leigh Reynolds? That extraordinary opportunity is up for grabs for any agent who books an Intrepid Travel Ocean Endeavour Antarctica 2024/2025 season departure during the incentive period. The lucky winners of the ‘Earn a Free Spot to Antarctica Incentive’ will […]
Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes
Bonza's days appear to be numbered as the low-cost carrier today announced mass cancellations around the country.
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Pullman Sydney Penrith ties up with Trilogy Hotels, announces new GM
Trilogy Hotels and Panthers Group have signed a milestone agreement that will see Trilogy Hotels oversee operations of the five-star Pullman Sydney Penrith. Part of a $110m investment from Panthers Group, the 153-room hotel opened in August last year and is the first five-star offering in Penrith. Trilogy Hotels is a new name in the […]
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.