The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is using today’s Global Travel Advisor Day to shine a light on the work of Aussie agents.
ATIA says that most clients already know that in today’s travel environment, having a skilled, accredited professional in your corner is not a luxury – it is the smartest travel decision they can make.
Here’s what some of Australia’s top consultants have to say:
“I’ve worked in corporate travel long enough to know that the real value of a travel advisor shows up in the hard moments,” said Sarah Szubanski, Managing Director of Platinum Travel Group.
“With everything that’s unfolded across the Middle East recently, we’ve seen exactly what that looks like: businesses scrambling to locate travellers, reroute itineraries and navigate airspace that changed by the hour.
“We’re not just travel bookers. We’re problem-solvers, risk managers and the first call when things go wrong.”
Nathaniel Musters, Australian Director and Commercial Lead at Traveltrust, says the difference between having a professional and not having one could not be starker.
“Travel advisors matter because travel rarely goes perfectly to plan and when it doesn’t, people need more than a booking engine.
“They need someone who knows what to do, who can cut through the noise and who genuinely cares about getting them where they need to be.”
“We make your travel dreams look easy. We’re in your corner from your first boarding pass until you’re safely home,” said Mario Paez of Planetdwellers.
“Having an ATIA-accredited travel expert means you have a partner who truly cares, turning what if into what’s next for a seamless journey.”
Peta Godfrey, Director of Travel Focus Group, says the expertise behind that seamless experience is built over years.
“Travel advisors matter for the same reason you use any professional: you get a better result.
“Knowing how it all fits together, where small changes can save money and making sure the trip matches the client. That kind of knowledge isn’t built online. It’s built over time.”
Sandy Chen, Managing Director of Suncatcher Holidays, sees the tailored difference an advisor makes even in travel that might seem straightforward.
“Visiting friends and relatives doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality,” she says. “More of our clients are choosing premium cabins, private transfers, luxury serviced apartments and exclusive dining experiences, because reuniting with loved ones is a special occasion worth celebrating in style.
“That’s the sweet spot where emotion meets elegance and where a travel advisor makes all the difference.”
Brian Conway, General Manager of Bonaventure Travel, says that at the heart of every client relationship is something that cannot be replicated by any platform.
“Our clients aren’t buying a trip,” he says. “They’re placing their trust. After nearly 20 years in the industry, that’s still the part I take most seriously.
“Global Travel Advisor Day is a reminder that the trust is well placed.”
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