🏆 Most Outstanding Mobile Travel Network
🏆 Most Outstanding Mobile Travel Advisor – Alison McGovern

Winning Most Outstanding Mobile Travel Network is an incredible honour and recognition of the people who make MTA what it is – our dedicated advisors, passionate support team, valued suppliers, and loyal clients.

We’re equally proud of Alison McGovern, who was named Most Outstanding Mobile Travel Advisor – marking the third consecutive year that an MTA advisor has received this title, following Wendy Brockbank (2023) and Donna Jones (2024).

“This double win is a testament to the strength of our community and the calibre of the people who choose to be part of MTA,” said Karen Merricks, Managing Director. “We’re incredibly proud of Alison and every one of our advisors who continue to embody what MTA stands for – excellence, independence, and a genuine passion for creating extraordinary travel experiences.”

A huge thank you to our incredible MTA family, our industry partners, and our clients who inspire us every day to keep raising the bar.

Heads up, travellers: Virgin Australia is changing its carry-on baggage rules. From 2 February 2026, the standard carry-on allowance will become 8 kg.

Why the change?

Virgin says the update is about simplifying things, improving safety, reducing boarding delays and making better use of overhead space.

What the new baggage rules look like

Here’s the breakdown under the refreshed policy.

Economy Class

• One main carry-on bag, up to 8 kg

• Plus one small personal item (handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack) that fits under the seat in front

Premium / Velocity / Business / Economy X

• Two carry-on bags, with a combined total of up to 14 kg

• One piece may weigh up to 8 kg

• Plus one personal item, same under-seat rules as above

Infant & other allowances

• A collapsible stroller counts as one standard carry-on item (must fit size limits: 56 × 36 × 23 cm)

• Adults travelling with infants can bring one extra small personal item (say, a nappy bag)

• And yes — guests with infants can still check in up to three infant items free of charge.

Size (dimensions) for personal items

• Maximum dimensions: 45 cm × 33 cm × 20 cm (must fit under the seat in front)

When & how this applies

• The new rules apply to all travel on or after 2 February 2026.

The High Achievers’ lunches are a key part of MTA’s ongoing commitment to recognising excellence within its nationwide network of travel Advisors. The program celebrates Advisors who consistently deliver exceptional service, demonstrate strong business performance and contribute to the growth and success of MTA.

This year, the annual events brought together MTA’s leading advisors at some of Australia’s most celebrated dining destinations, in Perth at the Ritz Carlton, Melbourne at Farmer’s Daughters, Sydney at the Shangri-La, Gold Coast at QT and Adelaide at Greek on Halifax.

Pictured: High achievers in Gold Coast with MTA Co-Founder Karen Merricks (L-R)  James Irving, Karen Merricks – MTA Co-founder, Jason Denisenko and Nicola Irving.Don Beattie, CEO of MTA – Mobile Travel Agents, who was in attendance at most events, said the lunches were an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication, expertise and exceptional results of the company’s most successful Advisors.

“These lunches are about celebrating excellence within our advisor network and providing a platform for our leadership team to connect directly with those who consistently deliver at the highest level,” Beattie said.

“Our network continues to deliver outstanding results for clients across Australia, and our average total travel value (TTV) per Advisor is up 6.4% in FY 24/25 compared to the previous financial year. It’s an outstanding reflection of the skill, service and commitment our Advisors bring to their clients and their businesses every single day. Our High Achievers are achieving this and more, and we’re so proud that more than 160 of them have hit this benchmark this year.”

Each lunch was attended by the team’s Business Success Managers, with Co-founder Karen Merricks joining a number of events to celebrate the advisors’ achievements and personally recognise their outstanding contributions.

Pictured: High achievers in Melbourne and Perth

Katrina Carichini, MTA – Mobile Travel Agent, one of the High Achievers recognised this year said it was her first time attending one of the lunches.

“It was such a wonderful experience to share with my colleagues. The event gave us a chance to reflect on the achievements of the past year and celebrate our individual and collective success.. I’m especially grateful to our wonderful clients for their continued trust and support. Being recognised in this way fills me with pride to be part of the MTA family.”

Alison has been recognised in the Most Outstanding Mobile/Home Based Travel Advisor category – a highly competitive award that shines a spotlight on the very best in the Australian travel industry.

Speaking about the honour, Alison said:“Being named a finalist is such an incredible acknowledgement. It reflects not just my passion and commitment to creating unforgettable journeys, but also the unwavering support of my wonderful clients – I couldn’t have achieved this without them.”

The NTIAs celebrate excellence and dedication across all sectors of the travel industry.

Congratulations Alison on this well-deserved recognition and we wish you every success for the award night to be held in Brisbane in October.

“Our platinum agents – there are now over 90 of them – are earning really big incomes.”

When reflecting on the birth and rise of MTA – Mobile Travel Agents, Merricks looks back like one would on the growth of a family – with much pride.

“It’s been a quarter of a century, but it seems like yesterday when we launched,” she remarks.

“We set out to have a company that values people and family… and I feel we’ve created that – a business that upholds family values and a company full of the most amazing people.”

It’s a family affair

At the 2024 MTA – Mobile Travel Agents national conference in Fiji, I was struck by the genuine warmth and camaraderie within the organisation – it felt like one big travel family. It’s an atmosphere I expect will endure.

“We really love being together and catching up. I am so proud of MTA and the people we have around us,” Karen explains.

“All of our head office team, our brilliant advisors and our supplier connections.”

With Merricks experiencing a difficult few months late last year on a personal level (Karen lost her beloved sister to bowel cancer in 2024), she stresses how important it is to “hold those we love close and cherish our time together”.

“I don’t feel business should be any different,” Merricks says.

“It’s about caring support and enjoying the ups and downs of life.”

MTA for mums

Merricks, together with husband and business partner Roy, started MTA as a way to help women – especially those with children – undertake a more fulfilling journey in the travel industry. They also wanted to support women in rejoining the workforce. And it stemmed from Karen’s own experiences.

“Flexible hours was a big issue. You don’t want to miss out on kids’ events, like Christmas plays and sports carnivals,” Karen says.

“So I needed access remotely to my own GDS system, not through the office where I had to keep calling to go and do my work, which was a half-hour drive for me just to go and book a domestic ticket. That just wasn’t workable.

“I wanted to be able to work from a home office; do my work when I wanted… and then be able to get the kids and work again in the evening because it suited me to do that.

“So we talked about it at length. And then Roy, said, ‘well, ifyouwant it, everyone wants it’.”

It turns out a lot of travel professionals actually did. But it wasn’t simple, as Roy puts it, “because none of the systems were there”.

“Only about a third of travel agents even had an email!” Roy explains, about the lack of digital systems that we now take for granted.

After doing their homework on remote set-ups already in existence in places like the US, they were ready to go on 18 February 2000.

True to its family-oriented ethos, even the Merricks’ children Ben and Sara got involved in the business from the start – especially on the digital side of things.

“It was controversial, but once we launched, we just knew it was going to work,” Karen says.

Unless you call earning big money controversial, it’s hardly contentious any more.

“And these guys [members] are happy because they have freedom, they have flexibility; they work around their families.”

Long may that happiness continue. Happy birthday MTA – Mobile Travel Agents!

First published on KarryOn – Mark Harada

Celebrity’s Edge series of ocean ships is renowned for its luxurious accommodation and innovative features, such as transformable stateroom living spaces that can double as verandas and the “Magic Carpet,” a cantilevered platform that rises 16 stories above the water, serving as a bar and multifunctional space.

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

For the intrepid traveller, expedition cruising offers the ultimate adventure. Unlike traditional cruises, which focus on popular destinations and onboard entertainment, expedition cruises take you to remote and untouched corners of the world. From the icy landscapes of Antarctica to the rugged coastlines of the Arctic, these cruises are designed for those who crave exploration and a deeper connection with nature. In this blog, we’ll dive into what makes expedition cruising so thrilling and why it’s the perfect choice for adventurers.

What is expedition cruising?

Expedition cruising is a unique form of travel that combines the comforts of a cruise with the excitement of exploring remote destinations. These cruises typically operate on smaller ships, allowing access to areas that larger vessels cannot reach. The focus is on immersing passengers in the natural environment, with activities such as kayaking, hiking, and wildlife watching. Expedition cruises often include a team of experts, such as marine biologists and naturalists, who provide insights into the ecosystems and cultures encountered along the way.

Whether you’re navigating the icy waters of Antarctica or exploring the rainforests of the Amazon, expedition cruising offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the world up close.

Destinations: where will expedition cruising take you?

One of the most exciting aspects of expedition cruising is the variety of destinations available. These cruises are designed to take you off the beaten path, offering access to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations.

• Antarctica: Journey to the bottom of the world and witness breathtaking ice formations, penguin colonies, and seals in their natural habitat.
• Arctic: Explore the polar bear’s domain as you navigate the icy waters of the Arctic, with opportunities to see whales, seals, and stunning glacial landscapes.
• Galápagos Islands: Discover the unique wildlife of the Galápagos, where you can snorkel with sea lions, hike volcanic landscapes, and observe giant tortoises in their natural environment.
• Amazon River: Cruise through the heart of the Amazon rainforest, encountering exotic wildlife, indigenous communities, and the lush biodiversity of this incredible ecosystem.

Each destination offers a unique experience, with the chance to explore some of the most unspoiled environments on Earth.

The onboard experience: comfort meets adventure

While expedition cruises are all about adventure, they don’t compromise on comfort. These cruises typically feature smaller, more intimate ships with luxurious amenities. After a day of exploration, you can return to your ship and enjoy gourmet dining, comfortable cabins, and expert-led lectures that deepen your understanding of the destinations you’re visiting.

• Expert guides: Onboard experts, including naturalists, historians, and marine biologists, provide valuable insights into the regions you explore.
• Flexible itineraries: Expedition cruises often have flexible itineraries, allowing for spontaneous changes based on weather conditions or wildlife sightings.
• Adventure activities: From kayaking and snorkelling to guided hikes and Zodiac excursions, these cruises offer a range of activities that immerse you in the natural environment.

Expedition cruising is the perfect blend of adventure and luxury, offering an unforgettable travel experience.

Conclusion: why choose expedition cruising?

Expedition cruising is more than just a holiday; it’s a journey of discovery. For those who seek to explore the world’s most remote and extraordinary places, there’s no better way to travel. With a focus on sustainability, education, and adventure, expedition cruising offers a unique and enriching experience that will stay with you long after the voyage is over.

Call to Action: Ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? Contact MTA Travel Advisors today to book your expedition cruise and start planning your journey to the world’s most extraordinary destinations.