Avis today announced the six finalists for this year’s Travel Agent Scholarship of Excellence, with New South Wales dominating the field.
Now in its 11th year, the prestigious annual scholarship recognises and rewards travel consultants who can demonstrate a commitment to quality customer service.
The finalists for 2007 are:
** Carine Ernest – Corporate Travel Management, Melbourne, Victoria
** Wade Matheson – Harvey World Travel West Lakes, South Australia
** Adrienne Witteman – Trendsetter Travel, Longueville, NSW
** Louise Brown – Spencer Travel, Surry Hills, NSW
** Kristi-Anne Butel – BCD Travel, Brisbane, Queensland
** Barbara Cowley – Travel Co, Toukley, NSW
As in previous years, judges selected the 2007 finalists based on written submissions in which agents provided details and evidence of their unique approach to customer service.
Finalists will now travel to Sydney on October 16 in order to make formal presentations to members of the Avis Travel Agents Advisory Board.
The 2007 winner will be announced that evening at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. All finalists will stay the night at the five-star hotel and take home an Avis weekend car hire and a $50 American Express Foreign Exchange voucher.
This year’s scholarship is valued at more then $25,000, with the recipient receiving two business-class return tickets to New York, six nights’ accommodation, seven days car rental and $1,000 worth of foreign exchange products from American Express.
The winning travel agent’s career will also receive a boost, with one-on-one business coaching provided by Polonious Resources, and an honorary position on the Avis Travel Agents Advisory Board providing opportunities to mix with Australia’s retail leaders.
Avis Travel Industry Manager Russell Butler said the quality of this year’s finalists was testament to the depth of talent in the Australian retail travel industry.
“Initiatives such as the Avis Scholarship of Excellence play a vital role in helping identify and nurture top quality travel agents,” Butler said. “By doing so they also support the efforts of AFTA and others to attract young people to our industry.”
Avis Travel Agents Advisory Board: Avis established the Travel Agents Advisory Board in 1995 to help develop closer working relationship with Australia’s travel retailers. Board members, who include representatives of leading leisure and corporate travel groups, provide feedback and advice on ways Avis can better serve its agency partners.
Avis Travel Agent Scholarship of Excellence: Now in its 11th year, the Scholarship of Excellence (www.avisscholarship.com) recognises and rewards travel retailers who demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality customer service. Scholarship winners broaden their experience through overseas travel and receive professional guidance to help advance their careers. The scholarship is open to all Australian travel agents.
Report by The Mole
