In April, Tourism New South Wales and Lauda Air hosted an educational in Australia. Eight agents flew to Sydney where they climbed the Harbour Bridge, took a flight on a Sydney Harbour seaplane and visited the Sydney Aquarium before heading out of the city to explore the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley, Barrington Tops, Port Stephens and the Central Coast. We asked three agents for their impressions before and after the trip.
Before: I was already very biased towards Australia. I was on the tourist commission’s Aussie Specialist scheme and I have relatives living in South Australia so I visited fairly often. I had been to Sydney about seven years ago but I had never explored the areas outside the city. I had no trouble selling Australia but, because I didn’t know that much about the area we were going to, I didn’t recommend it much. I knew of the Hunter Valley and did mention that but I wasn’t overly enthusiastic because I didn’t know exactly what was there and how it could be incorporated easily into a holiday.
After: I came away from the trip feeling there really is a lot to do in Sydney but there is a lot more to do outside of the city. I am impressed by the fact the attractions beyond the city are actually very close – all within 3hrs’ drive. There is superb scenery, wide open space and so much to do – you feel a million miles away from the city but you get that feeling without having to fly for miles and miles. The horse-riding was hilarious – I hadn’t been on a horse for 27 years – and I must admit I was glad there wasn’t a video around when it came to the kayaking. But these activities are great fun and show the real experiences clients can have. It was the best educational I have ever been on and I have already booked clients to do similar things – I really feel Australia is just the best value destination ever.
Joan Budgen, Manager, Lunn Poly, Beaconsfield, Bucks, Age: 47
Before: I had backpacked around Australia for six months so I was familiar with the lifestyle and already loved the laid-back relaxed attitude of the people. I had also spent three weeks in New South Wales but had stayed entirely in Sydney. I had found Sydney a very cosmopolitan place with a great atmosphere but without the stress of many other cities around the world. I imagined the other areas we were going to visit were a pretty long way out of the city. I was selling a lot of holidays to New South Wales but most of my clients just stayed in Sydney, looked at the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and then perhaps took a day trip out to the Blue Mountains.
After: I was very surprised by just how much there is to see and do beyond Sydney, and by just how close these other areas are to the city. The Blue Mountains are very accessible – I thought they were a lot further away than they are and I am definitely recommending that clients stay there longer than a day. The beaches amazed me too. Clients always look to Queensland for beaches but at some times of year the weather isn’t that great there and I am now recommending New South Wales beaches – just up the coast from Sydney – as a better alternative. I realise now clients should stay more than a couple of days in New South Wales – it has everything you need for a holiday in one relatively small area and I just don’t think people know that. I certainly didn’t.
Vanessa Hardman, Team Leader Long Haul Sales, Quest Worldwide, Kingston, Surrey, Age: 25
Before: I had been to Brisbane and Sydney for just one day so I was looking forward to going back for a closer look. I had the perception that Sydney was New South Wales – that it was the only place worth seeing there and any itineraries I put together were only for a couple of days. I like wine so I was keen to visit the Hunter Valley wine-growing area but I was a bit dubious about the trip to Barrington Tops which involved horse riding, as I hate horses and the last two times I rode I fell off.
After: Sydney is developing a lot – I knew The Rocks area from my previous visit but Darling Harbour is an amazing place now too – very lively and with loads to see. I am definitely recommending the Harbour Bridge climb for spectacular views and I was quite wrong about Sydney being all there is worth seeing in New South Wales – there is much, much more to it than you realise and it is all very easy to get to. You can easily spend a week or 10 days driving around New South Wales exploring lots of different things. It isn’t just a case of ticking off sights, there are a lot of enjoyable things you can do while you’re exploring. Even the horse riding was a great day out – you are in such a lovely setting and the people make it easy and enjoyable. And I didn’t fall off!
David Whittaker, Sales Manager, Dial-a-Flight, Sale, Cheshire, Age: 19