The Little Travel Boutique by Ann-Catherine Jones

01/08/2024

What an honour to be on the shortlist for the for 2024 in the Travel Advisor category with Luxury Travel Magazine!

The LTB opened in 2023 as a WOMO business with no website and no marketing, and 12 months later, still has no website and no marketing plan!

The LTB philosophy centres around the concept that to truly curate the perfect arrangements for my travellers, the focus is always to have the very best relationship and contact list in the industry to make things happen and gain insider access. It’s personal. It’s simple. It’s the very definition of boutique.

The LTB partnership with and is central to this dynamic and I love being aligned with two powerhouse partners to elevate my business.

With the cheeky tagline IYKYK, The LTB is literally myself (.from.ace) + my travellers + my supplier partners. A very simple equation.

I am truly grateful for this recognition from one of my favourite travel magazines and colleagues.

You can actually vote in these awards, not only for myself, but for some wonderful hotels, tour operators, cruises and experiences as well. I would appreciate you doing so.

The link to cast your vote is here and in my bio.

https://www.luxurytravelmag.com.au/the-gold-list/voting

Thank you for your support! 🥳

🩵🩷AC

🗳️



Luxury Travel Magazine
SmartFlyer
Virtuoso Travel

31/07/2024

Wow! This is a bit exciting! 💫

To be a nominee for “The Gold List” in the Luxury Travel Magazine annual awards is an extraordinary personal achievement.

I am beyond chuffed and would appreciate you taking the time to vote. 🗳️ ⬇️

https://www.luxurytravelmag.com.au/the-gold-list/travel-agencies-operators

16/07/2024

❄️

It’s a tad chilly here in Sydney at the moment. Probably why all my travellers are currently either extending their stays in warmer climes, or starting to organise their bucket list expedition cruising for 2025.

Iceland, Norway, Greenland and Antarctica are calling to be ticked off those bucket lists.

I guess if it’s this cold you may as well be hanging out with the penguins! 🐧 🧊

13/06/2024

Bula! As the temperature drops we are All dreaming a little about Fiji this week, and we have Brent Hill the CEO of Tourism Fiji who will share with us his fabulous journey to take on one of the best tourism roles in the industry.

We ask Brent all the questions, like why ARE Fijians the happiest people on the planet? Are Australians good neighbours and respectful travellers? and how can we avoid destroying Fiji with over tourism and the general nastiness that we have taken with us to other destinations?

It’s a great chat and I hope that you all enjoy it as much as Richard Taylor and I did.

Vinaka!

AC 🇫🇯 🥥 🏝️



Thanks to our amazing series partners..
Numinous Luxury Travel Representation
Hong Kong Tourism Board

03/06/2024

A new year and a new LTB Business Card design from my friend Henry Rivers...

Do you love it?? I LOVE IT!

02/06/2024

It’s been a really challenging and amazing 12 months since opening the (virtual) doors of The LTB.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my little business over this time. I appreciate you so much!

Sometimes life takes you in a direction you didn’t think you wanted to go in, but when all the signs point you down a certain road, you
need to pay attention.

Happy 1st Birthday to The LTB. 🧁

10/05/2024

The power of the podcast!

Many of you will remember that I popped a post here on LinkedIn regarding the fact that many travel companies seemingly don’t train their reservations teams in the phonetic alphabet anymore, impacting accuracy and productivity. It went a little wild and crazy on the thread with comments and feedback, but I think the general consensus was that it was an important and basic skill that needed a resurgence on.

A week later, when recording Offloaded with Richard Taylor I actually offloaded about it with him, and we received even more great feedback, stories and perspectives.

Fast forward to Richard sending me the below from Kylie Duncan-Tiver (thanks lovely!) which is very cool feedback indeed. As she says, “one small step for travel”.

Alpha Mike Alpha Zulu India November Golf!

🧡 Edgar (you’ll need to read the original post for that one).

PS : Part 2 of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Travel Advisors”‘ drops tomorrow with Michael Gazal and Tania Myles from TravelManagers Australia so make sure you listen, subscribe, tell your buddies to listen and catch up of past episodes and let me know what you think in the comments or DMs.

30/04/2024

I had a lovely chat to Bedford from Karryon Luxury last week about all things Olympics and my advice on how to handle those last minute, amazing enquiries we all have to jump into our bag of tricks to pull off.

Enjoy!

AC



Virtuoso Travel

How do you deal with last-minute requests from VIP clients around major world events – and deliver it all with a smile.

27/04/2024

Our new episode of Offloaded has arrived!

In the interview chair we have Michael Gazal and Tania Myles from TravelManagers Australia sharing their insights into what the best of the best do to be so successful. There is so much to listen and learn, we’ve decided to make it a double episode. It’s that good!

I know that Tania Myles (a long time podcat - podcast lover) will be so excited to see her name up in lights on Spotify and wanted to give her a little screenshot here.

In the Sales Call hot seat today is Stuart Wesierski from Via Travel letting us know about their fabulous flashpacking and boutique tours of Australia. I enjoyed chatting with Stu about their inspiring journeys and excellent touring options, and know our listeners will love what Via Travel have on offer.

Finally, you may notice a different voice in the cohosting chair at the outset of the episode. Sonia Jones from Sonia Jones Travel, all round mover and shaker, was lured into the studio with the promise of being able to offload and put someone on notice, which she did (and enjoyed thoroughly)! Thanks for helping us out whilst Richard Taylor was on family duty in the UK Son. We appreciate you!

As always, we love to hear from you with any thoughts comments and feedback.

Thank you, as ever to Numinous Luxury Travel Representation for being our glorious Series 2 sponsor (and don’t forget to enter the competition!!).

You can find us on any podcast hosting platform you prefer, just type in “offloaded” and out little orange tile will pop up for you to dive into all the past episodes as well as this one.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

🧡 AC 🎧

08/04/2024

It’s time for another episode of Offloaded!

Isabel Limn from Intrepid joins us and covers a lot of ground about the Millenial workforce and what motivates and drives them in our industry. A great listen for those seeking to employ the next generation in travel, which is probably everyone on LinkedIn that I know!

Issy also passionately advocates for an industry that is more sustainable and thoughtful in our treatment of the planet and shows us what companies who are leading the way in this important area are doing. She has inspired me to investigate ways I can make my little business better on the sustainability front.

You may notice that we have a superstar guest host at the helm with Richard Taylor this week. I’d personally like to thank Nicola Strudwick from Travellers Choice for giving up one of her precious annual leave days to step up to the mic in my absence. I have just returned from nearly a month away in the UK to say farewell to my beloved mother-in-law and Nicola had no hesitation stepping in whilst I was on family duties. I do love how this industry pulls together in support when we go though what I call “Big Life Moments”. Thank you Nicola for being such a star.

Also to Anya Vokhmyakova and Lisa Maroun from Enspired+ for making us look so good and your endless support.

As always, we love to hear from you. Especially when you share your with us on Instagram and go in the running for our fabulous prize!

Thank you for listening and making us the No 1 Travel Industry Podcast in Australia!

Have a beautiful week and let me know what you think!

🧡 AC 🎧


The Travel Community Hub

Numinous Luxury Travel Representation
Hong Kong Tourism Board

17/03/2024

I think every travel advisor who is a design and hotel ju**ie worships at the alter of Kit Kemp and her beautiful, beautiful Firmdale Hotels.

After years (decades?) of organising stays for my travellers devoted to her style and aesthetic in both London and New York, I have been lucky enough to stay at one of my favourite properties, The Soho Hotel in London.

This is The Soho Suite and she’s a stunner.

The Soho Hotel is exactly where it says it is. In the heart of the vibrant and chaotic Soho, where music, fashion, art and food collide. I love this property as there are terraces in many of the upper floor rooms with views out over London, and it’s aesthetic and vibe is pure London.

Love this city. Love this hotel!

27/02/2024

This week we have dropped a new episode of Offloaded and it’s a sensational one!

Our main guest is Nicola Veltman of 1000 Mile Travel Group who have recently gone global bringing their culture of excellence and expertise to the US and the UK as well as to their exceptional portfolio of Travel Experts in Australia. It’s a brilliant success story and I’m so grateful to Nic for being so open about the realities of blending life, family and work. I’m sure you’ll agree that she is a powerhouse!

You will need to listen carefully to our main sponsorship portion from Numinous Luxury Travel Representation as we are ask you to share your with us on Instagram and via email to be in the running to win an *incredible* prize. Hints : 🏄 🐬 💧 🏝️ 🍹 🐋🪼 No, I am not going to tell you how to enter here, you need to go and listen!!! (and then enter!!!)

Thank you to our new partner Hong Kong Tourism Board. We love chatting and reminiscing about all things to do with this great city.

As always, Richard Taylor (co host, production and chief editor - NOT an easy job), Lisa Maroun and Anya Vokhmyakova (sales and all things marketing and PR) thank you. What a dream team!

Please listen, download and subscribe and let me know what you think of the episode below.

🧡 AC 🎧

07/02/2024

What an honour to be included on your list Neen James, alongside all these incredible leaders in our industry.

Valerie Wilson is an icon and I know every woman in the industry admires her. Of course Fiona Dalton , Jennifer Campbell and Helen E Nodland are on a class of their own, and I am lucky to be in their orbit.

Thank you for the shoutout and for elevating us all.

🖤 AC

On this International Women's Day 2024, let’s shine a light on the extraordinary women shaping the landscape of luxury travel. In my keynote on Luxury Leadership, I share that leaders set the standard, and true is about experiences, not things.

02/02/2024

What a beautiful “Afternoon with Aman” for team SmartFlyer Australia Sydney at Quay Restaurant.

Thank you Denise for a beautiful lunch and for always looking after our clients.

25/01/2024

My grandmother always taught me that manners were important and to always say thank you.

I love this country, I love this holiday and I and grateful to my First Nations neighbours for allowing my family and I to share a home with them on beautiful Dharug Country.

I am confident that because we are a smart and gracious community, that we can have respectful adult conversations about a day and date that we can all enjoy.

Until then, have a gorgeous long weekend, stay cool (for those not in Australia it’s going to be a swelteringly hot day) and travel safely.

🇦🇺 🖤❤️💛 🇦🇺 AC

15/01/2024

Question - is the phonetic alphabet not taught to the international reservations teams of airlines and cruise lines anymore?

Anecdotally, I can tell you that it clearly is not. I cannot tell you how many times recently I have spelt a clients/guests name phonetically to the delightful person on the phone, and they have zero idea of what it is I am saying, just make up what they think it is, and the incorrect spellings currently coming though w***y nilly on confirmations

When English is not the native language and understanding accents it tricky, using this international system which was once the standard, would save everyone a lot of time and grief.

My name and Ann (I don't event try with Ann-Catherine) which I thought was a no brainer, came back as EDGAR yesterday. I know.

Jones as Johns. Matthew as Mayhew.

Fixing them is a waste of time and impacts productivity. I am on hold again for another 40 minutes to correct yet another misspell.

If there is one bit of feedback I can give every single cruise rep and hotelier today, is that if we got back to the phonetic alphabet as a core skill for your res team, the res process would have a lot less friction and your productivity would be much better.

Just my little bit of Facebook feedback to share with the world today.

Tango Hotel Alpha November Kilo Sierra!

AC

06/01/2024

There’s a lovely new boutique hotel on the block in Sydney called The Porter House Hotel by MGallery Hotel Collection.

Located on Castlereagh Street she’s a lovely blend of heritage and contemporary with some very cool public spaces and restaurants.

My friends and I checked out Spice Traders bar for the evening and absolutely loved it. A “secret menu” between 5 and 7pm for Happy Hour and really beautiful food and delicious cocktails, I’m sure that this place will be buzzing once the word gets out over the next few months.

I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of the property! Pop it on your list!

30/12/2023

The tranquility and quiet hope of a fresh, new year full of travel plans and magic moments.

How lovely is this dreamy artwork of Thailand by Henry Rivers? It’s one of my faves in The LTB Collection.

Have a gorgeous evening!

💙🩵 AC

17/12/2023

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season full of fabulous journeys and special times with your loved ones.

Thank you for all of your support of my new business this year. I am grateful for every booking and referral from my wonderful clients, and for the care and expertise taken by my brilliant supplier partners in curating the very best for my travellers.

It means means the world to me to be able to collaborate with you on these amazing adventures.

Happy Holidays and Safe Travels Always,

❤️💚 AC



The Little Travel Boutique - an independent affiliate of SmartFlyer Austral

13/12/2023

In the new Luxury Travel Magazine about to drop this week, is an interview I did with Madelin Tomelry about my philosophy about travelling for joy.

I hope that you enjoy it, and the beautiful magazine over the next few weeks of gorgeous summer holidays.

Let me know what you think!

AC

22/11/2023

A lovely article by Dilvin Yasa for IInternational Travellerfeaturing myself and Melinda Gregor, Mandy Dwyer, Anna McMurtrie and Natalie Smith highlighting the extra care and attention, as well as the benefits that we, as Virtuoso Travel advisors, bring to our clients.

Enjoy!

AC

Virtuoso advisors share the role they play in elevating ordinary travel into extraordinary travel experiences

09/11/2023

What an amazing location! Currently enjoying the stunning Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Miami for the Virtuoso Hotels Innovation Team Retreat.

Amanda Elder ,Jennifer Campbell ,Kerry Koob Dyer and Alexis Romer ..

What an honour to have a seat at the table with you and all the other team members talking all things hotels. We are just .

Virtuoso Travel

28/10/2023

A great write up of a great event!

SmartFlyer Australia held its “In Residence” summit at Langham Hotel Sydney over three days earlier this month.

10/10/2023

Wow, wow, wow SmartFlyer Australia. What an intro!

So much fun and collaboration with all of our partners at the wonderful Langham Sydney these past few days at SmartFlyer “In Residence” 2023. So great to catch up with you all!

Thank you for organising such a beautiful event for us Kataryna Blewaska and Amanda Frack (the BEST hostess!).

One thing I have learned is that Smarties never found a media wall they couldn’t work. 😉

🩷 AC

All the faves below are :
✈️ David Goldman
Sharon Byrne
Lauren Benson
Amy Wyatt
Lena Nielson
Carolyne Evans
Karla Goring
Marienne Guberina
Craig Farrell
Louise Lye
Dianne Lechner

06/10/2023

Any Friday Lunch involving lobster, Addicted to Maldives and Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is a treat.

01/10/2023

New Episode Alert!

It’s been a few weeks in between OFFLOADED episodes, mainly due to the generally busyness of life, but we are back! This week we have dropped an absolute ripper of an episode with one of my favourite people and businesswomen, Tamara Kobiolke of Numinous Luxury Travel Representation.

With TK’s help, Richard Taylor and I get to the bottom of DMCs v wholesalers, who to call if you get that one enquiry that you need extra help with and how those with a hospitality background could be your new perfect travel industry employee.

I have an Offload about Qantas which could be a bit controversial and I’m sure there will be many that disagree with me!

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Viking who were the entire first series sponsor, and who we have loved sharing with all our listeners what a beautiful product they are for our travellers.

Have a listen whilst you’re out in the sunshine this long weekend and let me know what you think!

🧡 AC

The Travel Community Hub

‎Show Offloaded, Ep The Hero In Your Back Pocket, with Tamara Kobiolke - 30 Sept 2023

27/09/2023

Sometimes I really have to pinch myself when I have afternoons like this one.

This is John Williams MBE who is the Executive Chef at The Ritz London. He was flown out to Australia along with his charming GM and DOSM for a series of events where he worked with the teams here to reproduce the magic of a dining experience of The Ritz in London. Needless to say the food and company was sublime. John regaled us with stories of cooking for Royalty and notorious British politicians and the team gifted us with his Cookbook.

Yes, there is a photo of the bread and butter because it’s hands down the best bread and butter I’ve ever had. Worthy of its 15 seconds of fame.

Julie Denovan Thank you for inviting me to such a beautiful event. I loved every minute of it and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with Sal and Umberto in November!

19/09/2023

“Where have you been?!”

I’ve had this asked if me a couple of times recently and it always amazes me that people notice when you’ve gone a bit quiet on social media. At the end of the day, social media isn’t real life. It’s a highly curated version of your life put on your personal news outlet platform.

The only place I have ‘been’, has been immersed in my real life. The one where I am renovating a house, launching a business, focusing on my teenagers who are navigating their new high school in a post covid world, plotting the next series of guests for the podcast, getting my property bushfire ready for the next horrible summer season and reading.

The elusive work life integration is finally happening and I have the time to curate some amazing travels for my new and old clients.

I have genuinely enjoyed cutting back on both the joyscrolling and the doomscrolling and am stunned by the amount of extra time this small change has given me. I have actually added an app to my phone to monitor the time savings, and if I remain on track, I will have gained TWO WEEKS of my time back within the next 12 months. How crazy is that?

That’s time I’m happy to have back and use in my ‘real’ life.

🩵 AC


The Little Travel Boutique - an independent affiliate of SmartFlyer Australia

* Greece by Henry Rivers, who is kindly letting me licence his work for my branding, is one of my favourites. Enjoy!

18/08/2023

“They say that some things are inevitable..” Anthony Goldman

… and he would be right!

This week The Little Travel Boutique joined forces with SmartFlyer Australia as their host agency and what a gorgeous network to be a part of.

Some of the best humans in this industry are Smarties and “the best of the best”, so it is a delight to be a part of this team and get to geek out on hotels and all things travel with them.

Thank you for such a warm welcome and smooth onboarding experience team SmartFlyer Australia. I look forward to bringing The LTB travellers the very best travel experiences via this network.

🩵 AC

PS - How divine is this image by my friend Henry Rivers? Sailing away in Croatia is the vibe of the week.


Virtuoso Travel

15/08/2023

A new episode alert!

This week RT and I chat to Myles Steadmen from The Travel Daily and Honida Beram (aka Cruising with Honey) about the rise of “Influencers” within the travel industry. Myles is ready to cancel the lot of them, but Honey believes that this new social media landscape can be harnessed for good and is the poster child for an amazing business based around content creation.

Both are respected journalists and both are friends, so it’s a really fantastic discussion that organically went in a lot of directions.

I did say afterwards that it is so rare to be a part of a discussion with completely opposing views that’s nuanced and civilised and it’s down to our fabulous guests.

The link is below and I’d love your feedback on the issues discussed and on the poddie in general. Slide into my DMs!

🧡 AC x

‎Show Offloaded, Ep 50 Shades of Influencer, with Myles Stedman and Honida Beram - 12 Aug 2023