Q: Why did you think it was important for the future of your business to join an agency network?
A: I found that as a small independent agency, our voice could sometimes get lost in the crowd, especially when reaching out to suppliers or BDMs.
Joining an agency network gives us collective strength. It opens doors to better supplier relationships, deeper product knowledge and most importantly, better service for our clients.
All I want is to collaborate closely with the industry and deliver exceptional cruise experiences. Partnering within a network helps us do exactly that.
Q: What were the deciding factors that made you pick Travellers Choice?
A: I kept hearing great things from fellow agency owners online, so I reached out and from day one, the experience was outstanding. The team was proactive, patient and incredibly helpful. Their approach made me feel genuinely valued as a small business.
Travellers Choice allows me the autonomy to run my business in the way that suits our clients, while still offering strong supplier relationships and a reliable support network. Joining has been one of the best business decisions I’ve made.
Q: How do you think the travel industry is looking as we end another year?
A: From a cruise specialist’s point of view, the future looks bright. We are seeing more first-time cruisers than ever, often travelling with family or friends and coming back with referrals.
Adventure and expedition cruising are booming and with cruise lines constantly innovating, introducing new technology and exploring new routes, the demand just keeps growing.
At the same time, technology and AI are reshaping the travel agent’s role. We are no longer just ‘bookers’ – we’re advisors, bringing industry experience, product knowledge and a personal, human touch. And that’s exactly where Snowsea Cruises really shines.
Q: What are some of the major challenges facing travel agents and the industry going forward?
A: One of the biggest challenges right now is consistency in supplier communication. Many cruise lines use outsourced call centres and it’s not uncommon to speak to three different agents and get three different answers.
This inconsistency creates unnecessary delays and frustration for both agents and customers, and it puts extra strain on local trade teams who have to step in to fix issues that could have been handled correctly from the start.
With stronger training and closer collaboration between suppliers and agents, I hope we can create a smoother, more efficient experience for everyone involved.
Q: What is it about the travel industry that you love so much and that keeps you motivated?
A: The world is an endless miracle and our job allows us to discover these places first-hand and then share that magic with our clients. Every destination has a heartbeat of its own and no two days are ever the same.
Not to mention the ever-changing environments and policies, which I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with! Just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s always another unique and fascinating experience waiting.
Plus, you get to work with people who share the same passion for travel – people who genuinely love their job and are just happy to explore the world.
Q: What plans do you have for the future of your business?
A: Our big focus moving forward – and something I’m fascinated with – is expedition cruising, which allows true travellers to explore some of the world’s most remote and incredible destinations without sacrificing comfort.
What surprises me is how many people still don’t realise this kind of travel exists. For example, when I cruised aboard Paul Gauguin through the Society Islands in Tahiti, fellow travellers I met on land said they had no idea cruising was even an option there.
That really reinforced my belief that part of our role as travel professionals is to educate and inspire, and to show travellers the incredible variety of ways they can see the world.
Q: Do you have any exciting travel plans for 2026 that you can share with us?
A: I’m hoping to take my family on a Kimberley cruise during winter, which has been on my bucket list for a while.
At the end of the year, I will be getting ready to embark on an epic 32-night Antarctica crossing from Dunedin to Ushuaia. It’s a dream trip I’ve been longing for since 2020 and I can’t wait to experience the raw beauty and incredible wildlife of the Antarctic up close.
