When it comes to celebrating success, few groups salute travel agents’ efforts like Travellers Choice – just ask the recipients of the group’s annual Choice Reward Trips.
Over the past few weeks, more than two dozen of Travellers Choice’s top-achieving members have boarded charter flights, joined river cruises or hopped on tour buses as part of the Choice Awards program, which recognises agents for outstanding support of the network’s preferred suppliers.
Thanks to the generosity of hosting suppliers, Choice Award winners this year enjoyed a journey through Slovenia and Croatia with Bunnik Tours, a Mekong River cruise on Emerald Cruises’ Star-Ship Emerald Harmony, or a trip to Arnhem Land courtesy of Journey Beyond and Outback Spirit Tours.
Leonie Ivey, from Windsong Travel in New South Wales, who experienced Adriatic gems such as Zagreb, Novo Mesto, Bled and Ljubljana, says the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of a preferred product was invaluable.
“The freshness of the food, clean air and beautiful scenery made Slovenia a destination I fell in love with,” says Ivey. “The trip also gave me chance to see how well Bunnik Tours treat their customers and the unique experiences they offer.”
Dianne Ramirez from Everywhere Travel in Carnarvon visited ancient temples and World Heritage-listed sites on the cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. The colourful voyage was further enhanced, she says, by the opportunity to interact and learn from like-minded, independent agents.
“As we are located around 1,000 kilometres away from the nearest city, we don't get the social interaction that other agents enjoy, so taking part in a Reward Trip is perfect," says Ramirez. "These reward trips make all the hard work during the year worth it.”
Michelle Shea from Perth's City Beach Travel & Cruise says it was a privilege to take part in the Northern Territory trip, which include four nights at iconic wilderness lodge Seven Spirit Bay.
“It was such a magical destination and there was a real sense of joy among the group at being able to experience somewhere so special, and to share the experience with other members of the Travellers Choice family,” says Shea.
“Now back to working hard so I can hopefully get on one of next year’s trips.”