MTA is Australia’s largest and most prominent luxury mobile travel network, with over 460 advisors located nationally. MTA member Rachel Cleary tells us why the perks are top-tier. 

MTA boasts a network of invite-only affiliations with top travel brands, including Shangri-La Luxury Circle and Hyatt Privé. But the icing on the travel cake is how MTA advisors benefit from MTA’s invitation-only membership to Virtuoso, the largest luxury travel network in the world.  

MTA’s membership to Virtuoso allows their advisors to treat clients to additional and unmatchable bonuses and amenities at no extra cost. These include room upgrades, hotel credits (usually equivalent to US$100), spa credits, early check-ins, late check-outs, complimentary wi-fi, and breakfasts for two. 

The deal gets sweeter as MTA’s  affiliation with Virtuoso also encourages continuous learning through attendance at the exclusive Australian Virtuoso Roadshows as well as the Virtuoso Travel Week conference held annually in Las Vegas. 

But don’t just take our word for it. Hear from Rachel Cleary, who runs her business Rachel Cleary Travel as part of the MTA network and has never looked back…

Travel Weekly: What drove you to opt into the MTA network to run your business Rachel Cleary Travel?

Rachel Cleary: After years of long hours, tough sales targets, no autonomy and making money for someone else, I decided that if I was going to commit such a large part of my life to work then I’d rather be the beneficiary.

MTA was recommended to me by a few existing MTA-ers, so I investigated a number of independent agent models and found MTA offered the best support, especially when setting up your own business for the first time.

TW: What is your favourite part of working at MTA? 

RC: MTA agents are all so supportive of each other; there’s no competition, and backed by the Head Office team, you know everyone is on your cheer squad. Everyone wants you to succeed and will do what they can to help you achieve your goals. 

I can ask Marketing to create any campaign material, brochures, flyers, logos, social posts, magazine ads, whatever it is you want, they are happy to do, and it’s all free.

The support, product and ticketing team happily assist whenever needed. The assistance team look after my clients while I travel. It really is like having your own business with all the departments and benefits of a large company, but without the hassle.

TW: How does your Virtuoso membership through MTA benefit you and your clients?  

RC: Virtuoso membership is the conduit to personal contacts within the luxury travel space that can make doors open to unique and exclusive benefits for my clients.

I can ask for my clients to be upgraded, have a special gift in their room on arrival, early check-in and late checkouts, and even credit to be used during their stay. On special Virtuoso cruises, they are offered exclusive shore excursions and invitations to private parties. I recently had a client return from 3 weeks in Italy and Portugal, where I booked primarily Virtuoso hotels where they enjoyed over US$2000 of dining for free during their stays.

The hotels are always fabulous, and the service is superb.

TW: What do you believe sets MTA apart from its competitors?

RC: The MTA family – this is that special ingredient, the secret sauce, that makes every member feel important and valued. It’s not something you can buy; it’s a feeling you get, and the MTA team reinforce this at every interaction you have with them.

TW: How else does MTA support you in running Rachel Cleary Travel?

RC: MTA has been supporting and building agents’ businesses for over 20 years. This level of experience brings wisdom and strength. They have very strong partnerships with suppliers in every field and can make things happen when you think it is impossible.

MTA are solutions experts. Over the past two years, their support of our small businesses has been above and beyond anything you could expect, they care, and it shows.

TW: What excites you most about the future of the luxury industry?

RC: From a travel industry point of view, Covid was the reset we didn’t know we needed to have. Travellers are now realising what an important role a skilled travel advisor can play.  Our value is being recognised and appreciated. 

I am finding that clients are looking for more genuine travel experiences and are appreciating new destinations, cultures and remote destinations more than ever.  Perhaps we were too blase about how easily we could hop on a plane to anywhere in the world. 

Now we realise that freedom can disappear overnight, so we are appreciating this amazing planet we live on and doing those bucket list holidays now rather than waiting for one day to come.

Are you an experienced travel consultant or travel agency manager who is feeling the call of the mobile lifestyle? In that case, it might be time to consider joining MTA today to take your travel business venture to the next level.