Luxury – MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

“There’s room for everyone in the travel industry”

Kerryn Taylor — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 07:16:53 +0000

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents CEO Don Beattie is an easy interview. Query him on MTA or the travel agency sector and he’ll go on and on (in a good way, of course).

A big part of Mobile Travel Agents’ success simply comes down to the flexibility it offers its members.

“We want everybody that we come in contact with to feel what MTA is. We don’t restrict anybody from doing anything,” Beattie tells Karryon in an interview.

“I think one thing that MTA does exceptionally is that we manage what we call ‘stage in life’. During life, there are births, deaths and marriages and everything in between. So sometimes business is not the most important thing in life. Our model supports that completely. I think it ties people to us.”

That commitment to providing an environment in which a healthy work-life balance can thrive mightn’t come as a shock to those who know the origin of Mobile Travel Agents.

Family-focused foundation

Mobile Travel Agents founders Roy Merricks (left) and Karen Merricks. (Image Mark Harada)

“So Karen and Roy Merrick started MTA 24 years ago. They are phenomenal. Karen started this business to predominantly give women who had children the opportunity to own their own business and come back into travel… and she’s carried that philosophy through all the way,” Beattie explains.

“MTA is heavily family-focused. But that does not mean that we’re not professional in what we do.”

This balance essentially means members can work at their own pace, and adapt the business model to suit their particular needs.

“We can’t magically aim at a target and hit it,” Beattie says.

“We want to support our advisors to grow their business at the speed and to the level they want. There are no sales targets in MTA. There are no sales targets for our staff in relation to recruiting at all.

“We want the focus to be on the people, not on the target. And does it work for us? I think we’re doing well.”

Record revenue

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents group in Fiji.

That’s putting it mildly. At the time of the interview, FY24 was on target to smash any previous year in terms of overall revenue for the group.

“We had a record year last year and this year is even higher than last year,” the Mobile Travel Agents boss says.

“This is the best time in recent years for people [in travel] to have a really good chance of being successful. And if you’re not busy at this point in time, I think you’d really have to investigate your way of operating.”

Overall, Beattie expects growth to continue for the group in the next few years.

“I think it might not be as high a percentage of growth but it will absolutely grow. Of course, the larger the growth is, even in percentage terms, the larger dollar returns there are. So two per cent growth of $100 million is different from 10 per cent growth of $10. So you’re going to see massive returns still,” he says.

“I think for the expert travel advisors, it’s almost got to the stage at this point in time, that there’s more custom than there is the ability to service that custom.”

And that’s the opposite of where the industry was during the pandemic.

“So it’s a wonderful place to be, but it’s created an opposite stress of the work-life balance. So COVID probably drove us more towards the leisure side of things. And now we’re at the exact opposite end of that pendulum where we’re at capacity. And now we have to almost get to the stage of saying, do I need to choose the customers with whom I wish to work? It’s a beautiful place to be.”

Room for everyone

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents head office staff. (Image Mark Harada)

It’s perhaps because of this, that Beattie says he isn’t concerned by the growth in competitiveness of the travel agency sector: from physical stores to online travel agents and indeed home-based advisors.

“There is room for everybody. I think what will happen is the slices of the pie are just going to change,” he remarks.

“I think what we see is somewhat of a shrinking of the shopfront retail and an explosion of perhaps the mobile style.

“Now, if an MTA member wanted to open a shopfront, they could, nothing is stopping them. What we would say is, you’re now introducing a new level of cost to your business.”

Beattie states that MTA doesn’t specifically aim to be the biggest mobile/home-based agency group, but its membership has risen to a robust 450 agents or so. And within the membership base, “the spectrum is massive”. While the group normally only welcomes travel advisors with a minimum of five years of face-to-face consulting experience, he still calls Mobile Travel Agents “a bit of a melting pot”.

“We get people coming from all walks of life. In the sense of travel life. And they have different attributes. And I think the hardest thing when they come into our environment is their choice… they have choice,” he notes.

“We do not dictate what they must sell. The decision is made by the advisor and the customer. Our preferred partners are there because they’re great supporters.

“We don’t force targets… we don’t force product to targets. And for some people who have lived in a very constrained environment, having choice becomes difficult.”

‘Hobbyists’ to heroes

Mobile Travel Agents members at the recent ILTM Asia Pacific 2024 conference. (Image supplied)

Mobile Travel Agents’ current success is a long way from its tough beginnings though.

“So when we first started 24 years ago, we were scorned… ‘hobbyists’, was I think the most common term… ‘part-timers’,” Beattie says.

“So I did a presentation to a large supplier group… and I brought in this slide and the second slide was a woman in a pink dressing gown, hair in curls, cigarette hanging out her mouth, toes parted with cotton – I said this is how you picture us. On the next slide, I told them what the average commission earned was by these people, and all of a sudden, I had 40 people listening to me intently. So the perception did not match the reality.”

Indeed, the industry and consumers are listening now.

For more information on MTA – Mobile Travel Agents, click here.

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.

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

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.

MTA Mobile Travel Agents announces 2024 Conference in Fiji

Kerryn Taylor — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 01:01:11 +0000

MTA Mobile Travel Agents’ highly anticipated 2024 National Conference is set to take place in the picturesque Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort and Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island, Fiji in May/Jun 2024.

MTA is delighted to host the national conference overseas for the very first time. Under the theme of “Celebrate the Journey” the conference promises to be a celebration of resilience, growth and the company’s unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of its travel advisors and support team.

Fiji is a destination very close to the hearts of Karen and Roy Merricks, Founders & MDs of MTA. “We can’t wait to come together in Fiji,” said Karen Merricks, “The genuine warmth and friendliness of the local people makes Fiji such a special destination and we can’t wait to share it with all our advisors, support team and preferred suppliers”.

MTA’s 2024 National Conference promises an engaging and dynamic agenda, featuring keynote speakers, industry updates, professional development as well as time to experience the local culture.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of idyllic Denarau Island, making for a memorable experience and MTA is proud to support Fijian tourism by choosing this beautiful destination.

MTA named as finalist in National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs)

Kerryn Taylor — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 02:34:56 +0000

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced the finalists for the business categories at this year’s NTIAs and MTA is proud to be amongst the finalists in the category “Most Outstanding Mobile Advisor Network”.

The categories were reviewed by a panel of independent university-level assessors to get the list together.

“Congratulations to all of our NTIA Finalists! We’ve seen an excellent standard of submissions this year”, said ATIA CEO Dean Long, “It has been a great indicator of the outstanding quality of Australian travel professionals and businesses.”

Other finalists in the category include:

CATEGORY 18 – MOST OUTSTANDING MOBILE ADVISOR NETWORK

1000 Mile Travel Group
FCTG Independent
itravel
MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
SmartFlyer Australia
TravelManagers

The winner will be announced at a gala dinner to be held at the Crown Melbourne on Saturday 18 November.

Fiji Airways increases Australia capacity

Kerryn Taylor — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 03:49:38 +0000

Fiji Airways has welcomed its fourth Airbus A350-000 to its fleet named the Island of Vatulele, enhancing capacity to and from Australia.

The new aircraft not only brings increased capacity but also marks a significant step towards sustainability. Demonstrating their commitment to a greener future, the inaugural flight of the A350 was flown using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), showcasing their dedication to creating a more environmentally conscious travel industry.

The new A350 aircraft will increase capacity across the airline’s popular destinations including North American long-haul routes, as well as service Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, providing greater options and connections for Australians.

An additional 30,000 seats per month will be available across the Fiji Airways network thanks to the airline’s two newest A350s.

The modern aircraft features lie-flat beds in Business Class, increased space and comfort in economy, new generation engines for less noise and is made from lightweight materials, to bring a 25% reduction in fuel burn and 20% lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

MTA Advisors break records in style at ILTM

Kerryn Taylor — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 05:57:22 +0000

MTA-Mobile Travel Agents (MTA) made a grand entrance at the renowned International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Singapore this week, with a record number of advisors in attendance.

Commenting on the record attendance, Neil Robertson, Head of Product for MTA, expressed his excitement saying, “We’re thrilled to have such a strong presence at ILTM this year. Our dedicated Travel Advisors are at the core of our success, and their participation in this premier industry event exemplifies our commitment to excellence in the luxury travel space. We’re all looking forward to expanding our knowledge, creating new partnerships and further enhancing our ability to deliver memorable luxury experiences for our clients”.

During the event, MTA Advisors will engage in one-on-one meetings with exhibitors and attend exclusive networking events to discover the latest travel trends and develop strategic partnerships with prestigious luxury travel brands.

MTA wins Virtuoso Top Overall Production: Destinations & Experiences

Kerryn Taylor — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 02:04:55 +0000

More than 300 luxury travel advisors from across Australia and New Zealand met for two days in Sydney, at Virtuoso’s On Tour event, where they enjoyed product experiences, networking opportunities and professional development.

MC and Virtuoso Senior Vice President Global Operations – Michael Londregan spoke about the renaissance of the travel advisor in the post-pandemic world, saying an advisor’s value was finally being understood and appreciated.

MTA was thrilled to come away from the event with an award – Top Overall Production in the Destinations and Experiences category. It demonstrates how busy our travel advisors have been as people choose experiences over simple ‘flop and drop’ holidays.

Pictured:

Kara Heaslip – Account Manager, Member Relations, Australia & New Zealand, Virtuoso

Neil Robertson – Head of Product, MTA Mobile Travel Agents

Fiona Dalton – General Manager, Australia & New Zealand, Virtuoso

Kerrie Fellowes – Account Manager, Member Relations, Australia & New Zealand, Virtuoso