agents on the spot: australia

August 11, 2000, 12:26

Journal: TWUK	Section:
Title:	Issue Date: 01/05/00
Author:	Page Number: 40
Copyright: Other

Lauda Air/Ansett Australia flew six travel agents business class to Australia last November. Beginning in Sydney, the 10-day antipodean odyssey took in the wine-growing region of HunterValley and Ayers Rock before ending up at the Great Barrier Reef, where the agents stayed on the luxurious Hamilton Island. We asked three of the participants for their impressions before and after their trip Down Under. Compiled by Christian Koch

Before After

This was my first time in Australia although I’d been to New Zealand before. Some of my family had been to Australia and loved it, so I had high expectations of the country before I left. I sell Australia all the time through my job, but mostly to visiting friends and relatives. A lot of our clients are older in their 60s and visiting their families. But I have to admit my image of Australia was formed largely through soap operas such as Neighbours.

DEBBIE ROONEY,reservations manager, Lion World Travel,

Staines,middlesex

Colin Webb,travel counsellors,grantham,lincolnshireAge: 45

ian nicholls,travel consultant,travelmood,londonage: 34

Australia was wonderful. I have to go back there, especially Sydney. You see Sydney Opera House so often in brochures but when you actually stand underneath it, the view is breathtaking. And Sydney is so cosmopolitan, just like central London. My only complaint is we didn’t spend enough time in Sydney, only a couple of nights. I feel the trip would suit anyone, but more the older market as backpackers on a budget may not to be able to afford the hotels we stayed in.

I had been to Australia before but only on business. I’d been to Sydney, Ayers Rock, Darwin andKakudu National Park, Cairns and the Barrier Reef, so I had a good idea of what to expect. Although I sometimes sell Australia to younger persons, it is mature people who are retired or semi-retired with money and time to spend, who form the majority of our client base. Most of our holidays to Australia are tailor-made towards this group.

I was very, very happy flying in Lauda Air business class. Flying for 24hrs with that amount of space and luxury made the world of difference. I enjoyed Ayers Rock the most because you get to experience the real Australia – the Outback. It made me understand the political plight of Aborigines. And Sydney is one of the greatest cities of the world, up there with London and New York. Hunter Valley has an abundance of excellent restaurants and the trip to the Blue Mountains to view indigenous species of koala and kangaroos was also good. Again, I would recommend the trip to more mature clients. But Australia is there for everyone.

I had been to Australia before, having spent two years backpacking around the country. But although I’d been to most of the destinations on the itinerary, I’d never been to the Whitsunday Islands. We’ve sold pretty much every kind of arrangement to Australia, ranging from flights Lauda Air to trips for backpacker’s.

Australia was fantastic. I’d move there tomorrow. Australians have a far better lifestyle, weather and the people are friendly and helpful. I enjoyed the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb and Blue Mountains excursion but the highlight of the trip was Hamilton Island. We were looked after very well. The kind of people I’d recommend the trip to are middle-aged couples, with no kids and lots of money to spend. Wealthy young professionals who can afford to travel in business class and stay in luxurious hotels might also enjoy it. But the holiday we sampled is not for Johnny Backpacker.