As a Virtuoso Cruise Icon, Spurway will have access to various events and networking opportunities designed to foster growth and collaboration, while sharing and cultivating best practices within the network’s cruise community. Events such as Virtuoso Travel Week, luxury travel’s preeminent worldwide gathering, will bring Spurway face to face with executives from some of the most respected cruise brands in the industry.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to Mark for his well-deserved recognition as a Virtuoso Cruise Icon,” said Virtuoso’s Senior Vice President, Global Member & Partner Sales Cory Hagopian. “He has demonstrated resilience, ingenuity and a steadfast commitment to exceeding client expectations while supporting our cruise partners. Mark’s achievements serve as an inspiration to fellow advisors and a testament to his skill, determination and passion for cruising as a means of delivering unforgettable travel experiences.”

“I am thrilled to have received this recognition for two consecutive years. It is an honour to join 35 fellow Australian and New Zealand travel agents this year as a Virtuoso Cruise Icon. I look forward to continuing to work with my clients on booking great cruise experiences in 2025 and beyond,” said Spurway.

Because of their affiliation with Virtuoso, Cruise Icons can offer exclusive benefits to their clients on over 450 select cruises annually across 13 separate cruise lines via the Virtuoso Voyages program, including a dedicated onboard host and a choice of an additional benefit ranging in value from $500 per couple to several thousand dollars, depending on the sailing.

“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.

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.”

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. 

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.

1. Looking at the size and health of the travel organisation of which the woman is a part of;
2. The importance of the work that they do within the travel industry;
3. How their work has impacted and influenced the general workings/economics of the travel industry;
4. The arc of the woman’s career – how they have gotten to where they are today. They also look at look at how each woman is using her power to help inclusivity and equality. 

MTA’s Co-Founder and Managing Director, Karen Merricks, has secured a spot in the TOP 20 POWER LIST 2023 at the Women in Travel Awards by Travel Weekly! 🏆

Being a pioneer in the home-based model for travel agents, Karen envisioned what has become a thriving trend in the industry today. Back in 2000, she laid the foundation for MTA – Mobile Travel Agents as a family business, and it has since grown to encompass over 450 mobile travel agents nationwide.

Well done to Karen Merricks and MTA for making waves in the travel industry!

Travellers could soon see themselves jumping on a train in London and getting off in Germany, thanks to the new deal between Eurostar and Thalys. This approval has birthed one huge rail company that will serve five countries – the UK, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany.

The new holding company will be named the Eurostar Group, with both railway companies remaining fully independent with headquarters in London and Brussels.

The shareholders of Eurostar and Thalys noted in a media statement that they are more convinced than ever that the combination of Eurostar and Thalys will help to meet the growing demand for sustainable mobility by promoting the development of a fleet operating on renewable energy.

Rail provides a much more sustainable travel option over short flights, emitting far less CO2 per passenger.

The company’s ambition is to carry 30 million passengers a year within 10 years (compared to 18 million customers in 2019) under a single brand: Eurostar.

Aside from the new destinations on offer, the new network is said to provide improved schedules for quick connections, supported by innovative digital tools at every stage of the journey.

There is also set to be a ‘joint loyalty programme across the unified network’, which basically means that passengers can benefit from more upgrades, discounts and complimentary journeys; including early access to partner offers as well as lounges and other personalised benefits.

www.eurostar.com

Source: Karryon.com