Melanie Whyte - Travel Manager

01/11/2024

Good morning! Happy long weekend to those in the north of Tasmania ☀️

I have two very important things to tell you this morning. Those of you that have followed for a few years may remember a little thing I used to do called “The 12 Deals of Christmas”. Well, IT’S BACK!! 12 incredible deals leading up to Christmas that you can book just because they’re awesome, or you can wrap the tickets up and give someone the gift of travel this Christmas. This is where I need your help and suggestions though….

I have a list of some amazing deals already but I need your feedback on what you’d like to see? What (and where!) is on your bucket list for 2025 and I will see what amazing options I can find for you?!

The second one is big. HUGE! I am giving away a $500 voucher to be spent on anything travel related.

$500!!

All you need to do is like, follow and share my page or this post so we can invite more people to get out and see the world. You must do all three of those steps to get an entry into the draw.

The prize will be drawn on Christmas Eve and you have all of 2025 to use the prize. It can be gifted to someone else if you choose as well. Existing followers (and likes) will be included as long as you share, like AND follow the page.

So throw your suggestions at me, and then like, follow and share my page and let’s give everyone, including ourselves, the gift of travel this Christmas! Wheels up! ✈️ 🧑‍🎄 ❤️

26/10/2024

The NTIAs have been run and won for another year and whilst unfortunately I didn’t manage to take it out, I’m super proud to be a finalist and even prouder to be part of the company that took out one of the major awards.
As always, I’m super thankful for all of your support and well wishes and I will be back on deck on Monday ✈️

17/10/2024

This is a picture of my Nan and I in 1999, at Devonport Airport with me just about to embark on my first solo international trip. I was equal parts petrified and excited for my journey into the unknown. 51 countries later and I still feel the same as that first take off.
Coming into the exam period I’ve had lots of chats with “kids” (and often parents) about taking a gap year. Quite obviously I think travel is the greatest opportunity for discovery, fun, growth and more fun but now as a parent of an almost 18 year old, I can see both sides of the equation. The stress as a parent vs the bullet proof attitude of the new adult!
There are so many ways that we can mitigate risk for them, having things organised before they go, having some or all of the time away on an organised tour and starting with somewhere a little less intimidating like New Zealand. Having your travel manager on call 24/7 for emergencies never hurts either….
What I’m trying to convey, through my current sentimental journey, is that a gap year (or even just a mid semester holiday to start with) can be the greatest gift. Please don’t let the fear of it take it off the table for you, and perhaps as a compromise, take the family for the first part and leave the new adult there for a little of time to do their own thing - everybody wins then!
Maybe as a start point, Contiki have some awesome tours in New Zealand or Thailand and would also make a fabulous graduation/Christmas present… (hint hint!)
Sending much love and light to those about to sit exams, and parents - I have all the addresses of the bottle shops if you need them! 🥴 🤣

27/09/2024

Good afternoon!
I hear a collective sigh of relief, or perhaps a few groans that Tassie is now officially on school holidays. In celebration of that moment, I will be working remotely from the Sunshine Coast from Monday for a few weeks, so if my response is a little delayed, I will just finish my mojito on the deck and get straight back to you!

A few little extra tidbits of information for you..
* Qantas are increasing their change fees effective 9 October, so if you're needing to change Qantas flights, see if you can get in before that.

* From November 2024, the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) will start for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area so ALL Australian passport holders will need to complete this EES if travelling from November and beyond. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en

* Club Med have released their earlybird rates and they are always the cheapest for the year, so if you're thinking of travelling to Club Med from May through to November next year, let's chat!

* I am now an official partner of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand and have lanyards available for those travellers that need a bit of extra help whilst travelling.

* A reminder to check your medication lists with the countries you are travelling to. A number of drugs readily available and prescribed in Australia are illegal in other countries so please check on www.smarttraveller.gov.au for these lists and ensure you're travelling with correct documentation.

I think that is it for now! Have a great Grand Final weekend, have a fabulous school holidays and spend the time with your friends and family dreaming up the best holiday ideas ever - and then bring them to me to sort out! Stay safe :)

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15/09/2024

..and that’s a wrap for Conference 2024! The last few days have been filled to the brim with amazing new products, techniques and relationships.
We had 2 amazing keynote speakers in Chelsea Pottinger and Cathy Freeman, and the most incredible emcee. I also presented this year on the importance of good mental health and how it impacts your life in all ways, but specifically on your business. In the most surreal twist, Cathy Freeman requested to come and watch my presentation 😳😳
Also thanks to you all, I took out the top Travel Manager for TAS/SA.
I’m making the trek back to the snow tomorrow and will be back on deck on Tuesday.
Happy Sunday all, and as always I’m super grateful for your support 🤗

10/09/2024

Arriving into tropical North Queensland always floors me on how different the terrain can be all across our beautiful country 😍
I’m heading into our annual conference and will have limited access to my phone, but if you are travelling, please text me and I will excuse myself to help you.
I will still be doing bits and pieces so if we’ve already conversed, I will still get it done!!
I look forward to coming back on Tuesday the 17th with power restored and all invigorated and ready to get rid of you all 😏🤣

02/09/2024

Good morning all, unfortunately my power situation has worsened and I am now without power; phone signal, wifi and mobile data so I’ve essentially moved to the 1800s!
I’m coming into town a couple of times a day to check messages and emails but it’s sporadic at best. All we’ve been told from TasNetworks is that it will be “long delays” so given that this is day 3 of no power; I have no idea when we will have it restored.
I will keep you posted as well as I can, and my apologies once again 😊

01/09/2024

Good morning all, I hope that if you’re in Tassie that you’re safe and warm from this crazy weather.
Unfortunately with tree debris and fallen power lines around me, I am one of the 40,000 houses without power, internet and heating (not ideal in a Tassie winter!)
At this stage we don’t have an ETA for resumption of services just from the sheer volume of the work that these guys have to get done, which means that I’m unable to work.
For those currently travelling that need help, as long as the portable chargers hold out, I’ll be available by phone but please try airlines first.
My most humble apologies. Fingers crossed for a quick clean up job for all of our sakes, and my hugest thanks to the teams that have been out in this horrific weather trying to restore services for us all.
Stay safe everyone xx

30/08/2024

Goodness - two posts in 12 hours, my apologies!

This one is for everyone going to Bali - very important!!

Effective immediately, there is another health screening that you need to complete before travelling to Bali. It’s a government site, doesn’t cost anything and is quite legitimate but you will be denied entry, and possibly even denied boarding on your flight if you don’t have the QR code.

This one is to help control the spread of Monkey Pox. The QR code will need to be obtained before you leave Australia and will need to be shown on arrival in Indonesia so make sure you take a screenshot of it in case your phone cannot connect to airport wifi. One needs to be done for each traveller, regardless of age.

Please ensure you use SSHP.kemkes.go.id as the site to complete it because as with many of these things, there will be scam sites up fairly soon as well!

Please share with anyone that you know going to Bali :)

Enjoy the sunshine when you get there!! :D

29/08/2024

Ciao Bella gente!
That’s about the extent of my knowledge of Italian, but after a few years of incredibly busy European summers because of revenge travel and then the Olympics, it’s Italy’s turn!

From Christmas Eve this year until 6 January, 2026, Italy will be hosting the jubilee which is a huge religious and cultural event that only occurs once every 25 years.

This event will draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world and already I’m seeing many flights already heavily booked.

You can book your flights around 11 months in advance to anywhere but I would highly recommend booking as early as you can if you’re planning on Europe. Rome usually gets around 10 million visitors per year and they’re predicting over 30 million for 2025!

Herein ends my lecture with the following wrap up - if you’re wanting genuine gelato and limoncello in 2025, book it now with your favourite travel agent.

Stay safe in this crappy weather everyone and have a great weekend ✈️

05/08/2024

Who wants to win a free European holiday?? No, it's not clickbait, you actually can! Read on....

Our business has the opportunity to be recognised as Australia's best travel brand through the People's Choice Award at the upcoming National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) 2024.

We Need Your Help!

We would love for you to share why you love our business and why we should be chosen as Australia's best travel brand. By participating, you not only support us but also stand a chance to win an incredible prize package valued at $21,000.

How to Participate:

- Visit www.escape.com.au and nominate us as your favourite travel brand in 50 words or less.

- Share your positive experiences and why you love our services.

- Nominations are open from noon AEDT on Monday, 5 August 2024, to noon AEDT on Friday, 30 August 2024.

What you can win by nominating us:

- 2 x return Economy Class tickets on Singapore Airlines to any European or UK city served by SIA (valued up to $9,909 RRP)

- Trafalgar's 8-Day Britain & Ireland Highlights tour for two people twin share (valued at $10,150 RRP)

- 2 x $500 TravelPay Mastercard Gift Cards (valued at $1,000 RRP)

So craft your entries and get them in to win your prize. I saw this prize go off last year and I promise you that it's completely above board and legitimate. Wheels up!

escape.com.au

01/08/2024

Good morning all, and happy Friday!
For those of you that have been on this travel journey of mine for a while, you may remember fundraisers that I’ve been involved with for Love Your Sister. They’re doing some amazing work and I don’t even know if I’m allowed to share this with you, so maybe keep this between you and me, but Tasmania is next on the list to get Precision Medicine for breast cancer patients which is absolutely incredible! This gives breast cancer patients access to the treatment that is genetically specific to their kinds of cancer, giving them a much better chance of kicking this hideous beast to the curb. This of course needs money!
I had a chat with Sam last week and he needs to get 1000 businesses on board to be able to take this back to the Federal Health Minister to prove that he has the backing of all of us to get this health care to everyone, regardless of your postcode.
Click the QR code below and have a read, it’s fully tax deductible and I know that I’d much rather be giving my tax money to this rather than to the ATO!
I’m sure all of you reading this have been touched by this with someone you love, I definitely have, and lately it always seems to be picking the nice ones!!
So if your business can afford it, then please jump onboard and if not, even just sharing this post to get the word out will be just as helpful.
Thankyou for hanging in there and reading this essay, have a splendid weekend! Xx

16/07/2024

Today sees the start of my 25th year in the travel industry. Wow, haven’t things changed! 😳
I remember when I first started, a return Qantas airfare from Launceston to Melbourne on a 21 day advance purchase ticket was $267.20 (yes, my memory annoys me! 🤣),
Jetstar and Virgin didn’t exist,
Google was still a start up company, Ansett was still flying and Italian fares were still charged in liras.
Of course it was before September 11, the Bali Bombings and numerous plagues and epidemics but it was also a time of travel not being as accessible as it is now.
I remember having to courier passports to London to get a visa for Mozambique, having to do a cattle run to get into some countries and being covered in red ink from the paper tickets. Technology has come so far in the way we access the world and it really has been opened up for us all.
The last few years have proven to us all that when you have the chance to get out there and enjoy the marvels of the world, you absolutely need to take it.
I’ve seen people travel for all kinds of reasons and some of you have been here for all 25 of those years, so from those people to the ones that I’m still yet to meet and build your dream holiday, I thank you all. Your support means the world to me and has allowed me to work around my babes which as many of you know, is priceless for me.
I’m not sure if I’m wishing for another 25 years because I’m hoping a sun lounge in the Greek Islands has my name on it by then, but I think I’ll probably crack the 40 year mark!
So I thank you all again and here’s raising a glass to your next great holiday! 🥂 ✈️ ❤️

11/06/2024

Good Morning All, or should I say Bonjour!
If you're travelling to Paris in July/August, you now need to obtain a Pass Jeux (Games Pass).
From 18 July and throughout the period of the Olympic Games (26 July to 11 August) some areas of the capital will be sectioned off into zones and you’ll need a Pass Jeux to move around within them.
It's free of charge but it's a VERY involved process so if you are planning on heading there, I'd get started on it ASAP. The official website is https://www.pass-jeux.gouv.fr/
Bonne journee! :)

Ce portail vous permet de demander un laissez-passer numérique (Pass Jeux) dans les périmètres sécurisés des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de Paris 2024.

05/06/2024

Just an FYI if you’re travelling to or from Devonport today, or maybe just wondering why there are people dangling from helicopters in the sky!

https://www.facebook.com/share/2vhPKPWkAcSc6tKz/?mibextid=WC7FNe

📢📢 Devonport community .... don't be alarmed if you see more police near the dock today.

👮‍♀️👮‍♂️ Tasmania Police will be conducting a planned training exercise at Spirit of Tasmania and Devonport Airport over the next two days.

🚔🚁 You may see an increased police presence, including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

⌚ The exercise is expected to run from 8am until 3pm today, and again tomorrow.

👮‍♀️👮‍♂️ Our job is to keep the community safe, and that’s why training exercises such as this are so important.

🙏 Thank you to Spirit of Tasmania and TasPorts for their support in facilitating the exercise.

🙏 And thank you to the community for your understanding.

01/06/2024

Whew, what a wild weekend for travelling - and it’s only Saturday! I spent the last couple of days in Sydney celebrating the wins with colleagues, but in that time, my flight out of Tassie was delayed, causing me to miss my connection, flights couldn’t get into Brisbane because of low lying fog, Melbourne Airport was down to one runway due to 80 km/h winds, Perth airport is having issues with their fuel supply and can’t refuel any aircraft so they’ve come to a standstill - and this is in a country that is supposed to have relatively stable weather at this time of year with usually great infrastructure to work around these problems.
My point of this overshare is this - if you have somewhere to be that is super important, whether that be a big birthday celebration, start of a cruise, New Years Eve in New York City or any other momentous occasion; please build in a 1-2 day buffer zone for things like this to happen. If Grandma is lucky enough to be blowing out her candles on her 100th birthday cake, you don’t want to be face timing in from an airport terminal!
Have the best weekend everyone ✈️