Groups – MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

UK ETA – new entry rules and fees for Australians

Kerryn Taylor — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 02:40:50 +0000

Australians planning to visit the UK from January 2025 will need to apply for the country’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance of their trip.

The ETA is a digital visa-waiver system, similar to the USA’s ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), designed primarily for tourism and business travel and does not replace a standard visa. Starting 8 January 2025, travellers from most non-European countries will need an ETA to enter the UK unless they hold an eVisa. This includes citizens from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. Meanwhile, citizens of most European nations will require an ETA from 2 April 2025.

Australians can apply for the ETA now via the UK Government website or the UK ETA app, available for Apple and Android devices.

The ETA application costs £10 (approximately A$20) and can be completed online by:

Providing passport and contact details
Uploading a valid digital photo
Answering a short set of questions
Paying the £10 fee with a credit or debit card

More info on the UK Gov website

MTA Advisors shine at ILTM Singapore

Kerryn Taylor — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 23:42:34 +0000

A record group of 34 MTA Travel Advisors along with representatives from MTA’s Product Team, gathered at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. Over 650 brands are represented, meeeting with more than 650 travel advisors over three days. Our advisors are gaining new contacts, discovering up and coming travel destinations and connecting with the who’s who in luxury travel. They’ll use this knowledge to enhance their businesses and provide outstanding service for their clients.

MTA celebrates double triumph at Virtuoso Forum

Kerryn Taylor — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 03:13:00 +0000

MTA-Mobile Travel Agents (MTA) is thrilled to have clinched two coveted awards at the annual Regional Virtuoso Awards held at the Virtuoso Forum in Bangkok earlier this week.

MTA was honoured to receive the awards for “Highest Growth in Tours” and “Top Tour Producer”.

“Winning these awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Travel Advisors as well as the support of our valued supplier partners”, said Don Beattie – MTA CEO, on receiving the awards, “We’re honoured to be recognised by Virtuoso”.

This year the awards were held at the Four Seasons Hotel on the banks of the iconic Chao Praya River and the theme was “Together for Tomorrow”. The annual awards honoured Virtuoso members and partners who “elevate the travel industry and create memorable experiences for luxury travellers in Australia and New Zealand.”

Rhona Rodgers of MTA clinches Cruise Champion Australia at CLIA Cruise Industry Awards.

Kerryn Taylor — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 01:34:54 +0000

MTA-Mobile Travel Agents’ Rhona Rodgers was crowned Cruise Champion Australia at the 21st Cruise Industry Awards hosted by Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) Australasia held at The Star Sydney over the weekend. The awards brought together the crème de la crème of Australia and New Zealand’s cruise experts, sellers and suppliers.

The recognition highlights Rhona’s exceptional dedication and knowledge of the cruise industry in a career spanning over 25 years. Rhona has consistently demonstrated her ability to go above and beyond in providing outstanding service and cruise solutions to advisors and clients alike.

The CLIA Cruise Industry Awards serve as a platform to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations within the cruise sector. As one of the most respected accolades in the Australian cruise industry this award underscores Rhona’s expertise and professionalism and enhances her reputation as leading authority in the field.

MTA has long been recognised as a leader in the travel industry, known for its innovative approach and commitment to customer satisfaction. With a network of experienced leaders like Rhona Rodgers, MTA continues to set the benchmark for excellence in the cruise and travel sector.

Behind the scenes with an MTA Advisor – Danielle Lawson

Kerryn Taylor — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 01:36:40 +0000

Danielle Lawson’s passion for travel and dedication to providing unparalleled experiences to clients were the driving forces behind her decision to start her own travel business.

She chose to be a part of MTA because she says it was a natural fit due to its reputation for empowering agents with autonomy while offering a fully-inclusive support system.

The MTA network provided Lawson with the flexibility to tailor her services to individual client needs while benefiting from the credibility and resources associated with the reputable network.

Speaking to TravelTalk, Lawson said the benefits of being an MTA Advisor are multifaceted.

“Our Business Development Managers are a great resource to bounce ideas off or to sense check business ideas.

“Our Support team takes so much of the mid-office admin off my hands while our Assistance team is there to look after my clients for me if I’m away,” Lawson said.

“Our Product team provides insights into exclusive offerings and negotiates favourable rates for us, and Marketing helps me with resources to ensure I stay front of mind for my clients, leaving me to focus on delivering exceptional service to my clients.”

The benefits aren’t limited to the agent. It’s helpful for travellers, too.

“Clients booking through me as an MTA Advisor enjoy personalised attention and access to a vast network of resources.

“They benefit from my first hand travel knowledge and expertise gathered over years in the industry in curating bespoke travel experiences, coupled with the backing of MTA’s support infrastructure,” Lawson said.

“From seamless booking processes to tailored recommendations and ongoing assistance, clients can expect a level of service that exceeds their expectations.”

“I’ve been able to establish trust and credibility within my community, leading to sustained business growth.

“With MTA taking the title of “Most Outstanding Mobile Travel Network” at last year’s 2023 NTIA awards this has also helped my credibility being affiliated to an award winning network’.

Lawson said despite not operating a “traditional brick-and-mortar agency”, she’s able to bring services to her clients, whether that’s through in-person consultations, phone calls, or digital communications.

“By leveraging technology and personalised attention, I ensure that my clients receive a tailored experience from start to finish, creating memories that last a lifetime. Being that it’s my business I have a vested interest in making sure that each and every client has a great experience,” she said.

Lawson said she built up her MTA business with a combination of getting word out through her existing network, word-of-mouth referrals, and strategic marketing.

“By consistently delivering exceptional service and cultivating strong relationships with clients, I’ve been able to establish trust and credibility within my community, leading to sustained business growth.”

Lawson’s career so far has been an adventure.

“I once found myself planning itineraries and booking accommodations while on a Norwegian Fjords cruise. Despite the unconventional setting and remoteness, I was able to access a reliable internet connection and our MTA Virtual Office allows me to work from anywhere so I was able to ensure my clients received uninterrupted service,” she said.

She also recalls one memorable request was from a client who wanted to visit all the filming locations of their favourite soap opera.

“It was a delightful challenge to coordinate their itinerary across multiple cities, ensuring they got the full “soap opera experience” while maintaining a sense of humour throughout the planning process,” she laughed.

Lawson’s advice for anyone interested in becoming an MTA Advisor is simple.

“Immerse yourself in the world of travel, stay updated on industry trends, and never stop learning.”

“Building a successful career as a travel advisor requires passion, dedication, and a genuine desire to create unforgettable experiences for clients. Embrace technology, work on your communication skills, and never underestimate the power of personalised service in an increasingly digital world.”

credit: TraveltalkMag

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents announce keynote speaker for National Conference 2024

Kerryn Taylor — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:26:00 +0000

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents is thrilled to announce the keynote speaker for its highly anticipated National Conference 2024, to be held from May 30th to June 2nd, 2024, at the picturesque Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau, Fiji.

This year’s conference, themed “Celebrate the Journey,” will gather over 300 travel professionals from across Australia to explore the evolving landscape of the travel industry. It marks the first national gathering for MTA since 2020 and the inaugural occasion of hosting the event overseas, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to innovation and global collaboration.

MTA is honoured to welcome Dr. Joanne Orlando, a respected international researcher, social commentator, and futurist, as the keynote speaker for the conference. Dr. Orlando is renowned for her groundbreaking work in changing our relationship with technology, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI).

During her keynote address, Dr. Orlando will delve into the role of AI in the travel industry, exploring its current applications, weaknesses, and opportunities for enhancement. She will share insights on leveraging AI to augment, rather than replace, the roles of travel agents, empowering them to enhance business efficiency and client satisfaction. Additionally, Dr. Orlando will provide a glimpse into future AI trends in the travel sector and outline the professional trajectory for industry professionals.

“We’re delighted to have Dr. Joanne Orlando as our keynote speaker for our National Conference,” said Karen Merricks, Managing Director and Founder of MTA. “Her expertise and insights into the intersection of technology and travel align perfectly with our theme of celebrating the journey and navigating industry changes. Dr. Orlando’s engaging keynote promises to equip our attendees with practical tools to thrive in the digital era.”

Dr. Orlando’s keynote address is anticipated to be one of the highlights of the conference, offering attendees invaluable strategies for boosting productivity, mental health, wellbeing, and safety in an increasingly digital world.

Bali tourist tax introduced from 14 Feb 2024

Kerryn Taylor — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 03:05:28 +0000

Effective 14 February 2024, the Bali Government have announced it will apply a new tourist tax of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (c. AUD$15). The new levy will apply to all foreign visitors to the island destination and will be on top of the current e-visa on arrival.

According to Smartraveller website, “cashless payments can be made online prior to travel on arrival at designated payment counters at Bali’s airport and seaport”. Travellers should refer to the Bali Provincial Government’s official website for more information.

The current advice for travellers to Indonesia is to “excercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia overall due to security risks”, but the government has not recommended that Australians need to reconsider their need to travel to Indonesia or Bali.

Susan Barton, Mindset Coach & MTA Travel Advisor

Kerryn Taylor — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 05:34:03 +0000

Sometimes we can wonder what impact we really have. This is the story of a woman who has changed the world and would say you have too. It’s the story of a travel agent who has gotten reporters out of war zones, has rubbed shoulders with celebrities, and has even been a Disney animation artist. This is the story of a woman with so many stories who will stop an interview to ask you yours. This is the story of the amazingly generous Susan Barton

Susan Barton of MTA Travel stepped in when we needed her, performing miracles with flight bookings amid the chaos of COVID.

Susan Barton offered to help arrange flights. She was the last of my angels. She got straight onto it. It was not a simple thing.

The travel itinerary was definitely not simple. Susan was amazing, picking her way through the maze of flight availability and travel restrictions for us.

These are not testimonials. These (and others like them) are peppered through the book, Freeing My Family: One Uyghur man’s epic battle to save his wife and son and bring them to Australia.

The book was an unexpected but powerful read for me. Susan Barton of MTA Travel had mentioned it almost in passing as a thing that had come out of the lockdowns. At the height of COVID, Susan had been approached by Human Rights Watch to help political refugee and eventual citizen Sadam Abdusalam be reunited with his wife and son.

After all the politics, the fear, and the waiting, the family were finally given the green light to be together. Except it was 2020. And Chinese government aside, no travel was easy in 2020.

“It was extremely rewarding for me during COVID to be approached and to work on things like this,” Susan tells Karryon.

But Susan is no stranger to this type of work.

The go-to girl

At 21, the girl who said she never felt like she fit in, who, as a child, would stand at Wellington Airport watching the planes fly off and wish she was on them, was married and living in Los Angeles. She’d been working in production for television and then as an animation artist for Disney in their studios in Burbank “back in the old days when we used to actually paint all the cells”. And she had travelled.

“I was in a massive hurry, I had rolled 10 years of life stages into three years. I was racing toward some invisible self-projected finish line of sorts.”

Her husband was a successful Hollywood commercial director and Susan admits she may have conformed to the norms of the day and given up her own career for his.

“But I had a lightbulb moment, I loved to travel, so I figured if I studied to become a travel agent, I could get cheap fares around the world. I was missing my family in New Zealand, so this was a way to go visit them,” she says.

Because of her experience working with film crews, she became an entertainment specialist for LA celebrities. She also moved crews around for networks such as CNN or television shows, such as LA Law.

“I’m showing my age,” Susan jokes.

Her family moved to Australia for a project and eventually, her marriage ended.

“With those heady days of Hollywood well behind me, I had gone from one extreme to another, living on the poverty line for years trying to make ends meet with young children.

“Survival meant a tonne of tenacity and resilience.”

But her experience soon led her to once again work as an entertainment specialist for Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes, News and Current Affairs and then SBS Dateline.

These news agencies were covering the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the Bali bombings, earthquakes, presidential elections and then some. And Susan’s job was getting the reporters in and out of dangerous situations.

“Sometimes they were kidnapped, sometimes they were literally on the field about to get shot. I loved being part of a team at SBS that helped show the world’s injustice,” Susan tells Karryon.

“I thrived on it, I fit in and felt accepted. I had become known as the go-to girl who could get people in and out of war-torn countries.”

The Mindset Coach

Susan went on to partner in establishing two agencies, then, with MTA Travel, started her own home-based agency about ten years ago.

But it wasn’t all happy days.

“I had always believed that the old institutionalised conditioning or way of thinking in our industry had a hell of a lot to answer for,” she tells Karryon.

“I’m referring to those old beliefs that we had to be all to everyone and we had to accept all business, whether it was good or bad, and we had to beat our competition at all costs. That the customer was always right. That we had to work all hours just to prove our worth to them, and then do it all over again. And then we would give our time and knowledge away for free.

“That old institutionalised thinking was so rampant and widespread in our industry.”

Susan had studied to become a mindset coach, focusing on those working in the travel industry and says that challenging this institutionalised thinking was one of the reasons why she went into coaching.

“I wanted to help myself first and then as it progressed, I could see it would help other people.”

Fast forward to 2020, and travel shut down overnight.

“I lost any ability to make money and I allowed myself to feel pissed off and victimised. The media was slamming us!

“I was so angry with myself that I had chosen to go into this industry in the first place. I should have anticipated this.

“Then I realised that this was my opportunity to be at cause during the pandemic, not in effect of it.”

According to Susan when we live in effect, we perceive that things are happening to us and start to see ourselves as victims. We blame the external situation, the outside world, rather than being in control of our internal situation.

When we are at cause, we take control. “We see more opportunity and abundance all around us,” she says.

Susan was studying her Masters in Coaching and throughout the pandemic, coached some 300 travel agents.

What came out of her sessions with travel agents was the realisation that so many undervalued their skills.

“They were suddenly diminishing their own incredible talents and knowledge. And all the moments they had truly changed a client’s life with their work had disappeared in their minds,” she says.

“So many travel agents would say to me, ‘Anyone could do what I do, they’ll just go online now’, or, ‘Why would anyone want to pay a fee for my service?’

“The level of self-doubt and lack of confidence that had crept in was so incredibly sad and so many felt and experienced such huge personal losses.

“They took it personally and with way too much accountability, turning themselves inside out with worry for the future – all of this beyond their control. Some confided they were facing lawsuits, and some even wanted to end their lives.”

Changing the world

Helping travel agents come to value their worth at a time when their worth was being hung out to dry by the media, when they went unpaid and even used their own super to pay their clients is a tough job.

“It all really starts with understanding that we don’t experience the way the world is. We experience it the way we are. So if we need to make a change, we don’t change the world, we change ourselves.

“If you want to change anything in your life, you’ve got to first learn how to change your thinking. Which means to change your mindset. And once you know how to change your mindset, you can learn how to change your physical and emotional state, to experience the outcomes that you want.”

Susan would work with her clients to explore how they bridge the gap from where they are now to where they want to be.

“And a lot of that comes down to discovering our negative self-limiting fears, and where they come from, why we have them, what we get out of them and to learn to reframe it, accept it and move forward.”

The height of COVID has passed and the agents who survived have worked more than ever before. Time is at a premium and the charging of service fees has been fast-tracked, whether agents were ready for it or not.

“There was a lot of good that came out of COVID,” Susan tells Karryon.

“People had a chance to see that they could live a different way. And they could expect and deserve to have a bit more time and love and happiness in their life.

“COVID made us stop and really evaluate ourselves and look at our self worth, look at everything that we’ve done, and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to charge for this’.”

According to Susan, people pleasing is one of the biggest patterns predominant in the travel industry.

“It just comes so naturally to people who are in the service industry. Personally, people pleasing hadn’t really served me well. And once I understood the patterns and why I’d been doing it, I was able to take that and use that in the travel industry.

“It takes self worth, self confidence and courage to say no. But ultimately by saying no, you’re saying yes to yourself.

“A client may be taking up so much time, so much of your mental real estate that you’re letting other great opportunities get away. They’re knocking at your door, but you haven’t got time for them.

“We are in charge of our life. That’s how we get through the overwhelm. We start to learn that we can set up boundaries and we can decide what we will allow into our life so that we don’t have to live in overwhelm. We are in charge.”

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000.

Credit: KarryOn https://karryon.com.au/community/susan-barton-mta-travel-travel-influencer/

MY LIFE AS THE TRAVELLING TRAVEL AGENT- Charissa Hanrahan

Mariia Branch — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 01:47:17 +0000

People often wonder if it’s possible to combine a trip around this great country of ours with work commitments.

In this exclusive article for Traveltalk, Charissa Hanrahan from MTA-Mobile Travel Agents shares her inspiring story as she attempts to “create the unthinkable”.

AFTER A year of less fortunate circumstances (my dear father passing away, health issues and my wife’s job redundancy) and living the daily nine-to-five grind, we decided to take an alternative look at life and enjoy the small things.

We bought a six-berth motorhome and left our three-bedroom inner city apartment to embark on a journey of adventure, growth and exploration of our amazing country.

People often refer to our lifestyle as a holiday and there is no doubt it is an incredible life experience.

Yet a typical day in the life of our ‘’travelling family’’ also includes me designing travel opportunities at MTA Travel, my wife facilitating the Distance Education curriculum for our eight-year-old while also providing engaging opportunities for our three-year-old.

Every day is an excursion and a new experience. A whole lot of planning goes in to this and I am very lucky to have more than 20 years’ experience planning and managing this exact scenario.

While my experience is generally focussed more in the areas of luxury, leisure and corporate travel, the skills are easily transferrable to our nomadic lifestyle.

We left Sydney in March but shortly after we encountered gearbox issues which resulted in a few months stay on the Gold Coast (no complaints) while awaiting parts and repairs.

With the Gold Coast being the home of MTA Head Office, I took the opportunity to participate in some additional training and face-to-face sessions with local suppliers. Next June marks 15 fabulous years for me with MTA travel.

We have now travelled 14,000km on this journey from Sydney to Rockhampton, through outback Queensland to Darwin and then through the Red Centre to South Australia.

A wedding saw us ‘’duck’’ back to Sydney through outback NSW and we are now headed towards Tasmania.

Next will be SA, the Nullarbor and then the entire Western Australia coast before crossing the Top End and back to the east coast – essentially doing the lap one-and-a-half times.

While exploring I have studied at University, worked on a cattle station and in a remote surfing community, broken down in small mining towns, been caught in eddy’s on the Oodnadatta Track, scaled incredible terrains solo, found myself sliding on a step ascent in the motorhome chasing the tallest tree in NSW, driven The Nullarbor four times (and taken The Indian Pacific) and motorcycled in places that only dirt bikes can get to.

Later this year I intend to take on The Nullarbor Links – an 18-hole golf course that spans 1,365km. I am by no means a golfer but cannot miss this opportunity and I am also excited to swim with the whale sharks in Exmouth (a bucket list experience, as was taking a helicopter over Uluru and Kata Tjuta last month).

An experience that I have told around many campfires is one where I found myself face-to-face with a gun in the middle of outback Northern Territory.

After travelling hundreds of kilometres, I decided to pull up at a roadside camp area. For as far as the eye could see, there was nothing but bush scrub, ant mounds, one other camper and the sound of perhaps six road trains passing throughout the night.

At 3am, I woke to what sounded like footsteps around the van. I was certain the sound was not from animals scouting the area.

I lay frozen until the first sign of light and after hours of planning how I was going to make my escape and defend myself (I was pretty creative in my thoughts), it was time to jump in the driver’s seat and make a ‘’run’’ for it.

Once in the driver’s seat with keys shakily in hand, I noticed a gun sitting at the top of a two-metre-high ant mound, pointing directly into the windscreen, just two-metres away.

Adrenalin pumping, I made my ‘’getaway’’ safely, noticing that while it may have been a toy gun there was no way I was getting out to inspect!

Many of my clients enjoy the banter of my nomadic experiences and appreciate the first-hand knowledge of places that they wish to visit (in Australia and the 42 countries I have visited abroad).

I am fondly known by some of my clients as “The Travelling Travel Agent” – a name that I own with pride!

While my office backdrop changes, Uluru one week and a sunset over Mindil Beach the next, the consistency and quality of my work remains the same.

This is all possible with thanks to MTA’s VO (Virtual Office) which gives me access to my travel systems anywhere I have internet access. Starlink technology (satellite powered internet) now has coverage across all of Australia. Interestingly, internet speeds in outback areas exceed that in cities due to less demand in the area.

With every workplace, there are challenges and my biggest one would be space and especially if it rains. With two young kids in the van, when school isn’t happening, it is time for board games, arts and craft and movie day/nights with all the creature comforts.

I overcome this by frequenting local cafés in populated areas or my newly purchased detachable ‘office’ which is essentially a gazebo with walls built into it.

I also enjoy working in nature so sometimes I simply scope a beautiful space outdoors and take my table, chair, Starlink and laptop.

Flexibility is one of the highlights of living this lifestyle and I am incredibly grateful to be working in the travel industry and have access to the MTA systems and network to help facilitate my business.

Coupled with this, the time that I have with my family, exploring and watching my little munchkins grow is next to none. The social interactions and education that my children encounter on the road is not something that can ever be taught or learned.

I live by my motto throughout my career and personal life. This is to ‘’Create the Unthinkable’’ (a true reflection of my lifestyle). Nothing is too difficult or too far out of reach. Live and love life exactly the way that you dream it!

MTA clinches Most Outstanding Mobile Advisor Network at National Travel Industry Awards 2023

Kerryn Taylor — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 02:49:11 +0000

MTA-Mobile Travel Agents is thrilled to have been crowned ‘Most Outstanding Mobile Advisor Network’ at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs). Held in Melbourne for the first time in 18 years at the Crown Palladium, the NTIAs brought together key players in the travel industry to recognise and celebrate excellence. MTA’s achievement in securing the award for the Most Outstanding Mobile Advisor Network is a testament to the company’s commitment to exceptional service and dedication to meeting the evolving needs of advisors and travellers.

MTA’s Wendy Brockbank has also been recognised with the individual award of the ‘Most Outstanding Mobile Travel Advisor’. Wendy has carved out a niche with F1® Experiences as their representative in Australia and specialising in travel to Formula One and Moto GP. “We’re incredibly proud to have Wendy as part of the MTA family’, said Karen Merricks – Co-Founder & Managing Director of MTA, ‘She does an amazing job for all her clients, and she’s such a lovely lady as well!”

This award not only recognises MTA’s outstanding contributions to the travel industry but also reinforces its position as a trailblazer in mobile travel in Australia. The company remains dedicated to exceeding advisor and their clients’ expectations on building on the win. “This achievement reflects on the collective effort and culture of community that sets MTA apart,” said Merricks.