7 December 2017: Travellers Choice is pleased to announce Ucango Travel & Cruise Centre as the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Brian Pateman Agency Award for Excellence, capping a remarkable year for the Sunshine Coast agency.
The annual Pateman Award recognises outstanding performance by a Travellers Choice member across a range of categories, including marketing strategy, preferred suppliers’ sales and support of fellow members.
Ucango Travel & Cruise Centre owner Dave Hulsman said he was "over the moon" to receive the honour 10 years after Travellers Choice took a chance on his agency.
“I didn’t come from a travel background and had no experience, so when I contacted some of the major travel groups none of them would even get back to me,” Hulsman said. “Eventually in January 2007 I came across Travellers Choice and they really held our hands.
“That's why we have been a Travellers Choice member from the day we opened in May 2007."
In addition to winning the Pateman Award and celebrating 10 years with Travellers Choice, Ucango Travel & Cruise Centre was also presented with a Gold Choice Award in 2017, securing it a place on an exclusive educational tour to Ecuador in early 2018.
As the 2017 Pateman recipient, the agency - which now operates stores in Maroochydore and Pelican Waters - receives a $3,000 service grant, which it can put towards any of Travellers Choice’s member services, including the group’s Digital Managed Services.
Four other Travellers Choice members were named as finalists in this year’s Pateman, including Travel and Cruise Professionals (SA), Mudgee Travel & Cruise (NSW/ACT), City Beach Travel & Cruise (WA) and Travel Bound & Cruise (VIC/TAS).