The Travel Community Hub

15/08/2023

Exciting news! 🎙️ Episode 9 of Offloaded is out now!

🌍 Join us as Ann-Catherine Jones and Richard Taylor dive into '50 Shades of Influencer' with esteemed journalists Myles Stedman and Honida Beram. We're unraveling the intriguing world of influencers in the travel industry.

🛫 It all began with Myles' thought-provoking op-ed in Travel Daily & travelBulletin titled "Why The Travel Industry Should 'Cancel' Influencers". Honey, aka Honida, from Cruising With Honey, stepped in with her response.

💥 The result? An insightful discussion in Episode 9, where we explore this topic in-depth.

➡ 🔈 LISTEN NOW: https://podcast.travelcommunityhub.com/2114662/13392691-50-shades-of-influencer-with-myles-stedman-and-honida-beram

Richard and AC were joined by journalists Myles Stedman and Honida Beram to discuss the rightful place of influencers within the travel industry. Myles started all this off with an article entitled "Why The Travel Industry Should 'Cancel' Influenc...

13/07/2023

📢 New Episode Alert! 🎧

🌍 In the latest episode of the Offloaded podcast, Richard Taylor and Ann-Catherine Jones team up with the incredible Nicola Strudwick, General Manager Sales at Travellers Choice. Get ready for an exhilarating dive into the world of regional travel agents, why they're unique in their communities and how they are best supported.✈️

🌟 Nicola's passion extends far, far beyond her role as GM Sales. She shares her amazing experiences working with and inspiring tourism students, igniting their love for all things travel. 🎓

🚁 Assume brace position for some eyebrow-raising tales that involve helicopter rides onto warships with briefcases full of cash, and her experiences with 'professional bed-testers'! 💼💰

Tune in now and let the adventure begin.... 🎧✨

LISTEN NOW: https://podcast.travelcommunityhub.com/2114662/13186859-nicola-strudwick-regional-agents-and-professional-bed-testers

18/06/2023

Looking to hire in the travel industry? Share your job opportunity with a community that is just as passionate about travel as your business on the TCH Industry Job board.

Whether you’re an agency or an employer, the page is open to view publicly to widen reach, so submit a job listing here: https://www.travelcommunityhub.com/jobs/

16/06/2023

Thank you James for your kind words!

Don’t forget, if you want to join the conversation and the TCH community, sign up to our newsletter on the website here: https://www.travelcommunityhub.com/newsletter/

15/06/2023

💥 Episode 8 of Offloaded is now out!💥

🎙 Richard Taylor and Ann-Catherine Jones speak to Roslyn Ranse - travel advisor, mum, driver, chef....and the Founder of Travel Agent Achievers, which was the topic of this conversation.

🚀 After a few years considering the idea, Travel Agent Achievers was finally launched in 2019 with a view to providing resources and advice to independent travel advisors.

🌏 We talk about the journey since that launch, and how TAA now supports a thriving community through what is an entirely new landscape for travel professionals in 2023.

🔔 Next up will be Nicola Strudwick of Travellers Choice.

👉 For the full episode, links to the others and more, see the links in the comments section.

05/06/2023

One of the ways we foster our connections is through our industry newsletter to 3100+ professionals in the travel community. So, if you want to be ‘in the know’ about upcoming industry news, events, and great deals! Join here to find your community: https://www.travelcommunityhub.com/

30/05/2023

👋 LAST TWO DAYS TO ENTER for your chance to WIN flights for 2 to Nouméa, New Caledonia with return airport transfers!

https://www.travelcommunityhub.com/latest/win-flights-new-caledonia/?fbclid=IwAR2u-JtfpQJaTO0u08uVYihLCaLrafTC2pXks4uhdqMQB3heDVNicDHjUF0

Aircalin and Travel Community Hub are giving one lucky travel agent the chance to win flights for 2 to New Caledonia. ENTER NOW!

26/05/2023

This is a good representation of how famil trips look like these days. Would this be an accurate portrayal of a trip you’ve been on recently?⁠
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25/05/2023

💥 Offloaded episode six is now out, and our guest this week was Peter Kollar, Head of International Training & Development at CLIA.

🔊 LISTEN HERE: https://podcast.travelcommunityhub.com/2114662/12888592-peter-kollar-leotards-and-travel-industry-introverts

🚢 The vast array of cruise product and finding the right fit for clients means that good training is essential, particularly as new people enter the industry.

📚 Pete started his life onboard ships after a spell as a primary school teacher, so to end up training everybody is therefore a natural progression.

🚢 Among other things we talked about how cruise passengers have become more diverse, how much of the travel industry are in fact introverts, why you shouldn't judge a potential client by their handbag.....and dressing up in leotards to teach aerobics.

🌟 With over 25 years of experience in the industry Pete has played an instrumental role in designing professional development programs for CLIA.

And as always a huge shout-out to Viking, our series' sponsor, for all their continuing support. 🙏

🔊 LISTEN HERE: https://podcast.travelcommunityhub.com/2114662/12888592-peter-kollar-leotards-and-travel-industry-introverts

04/05/2023

🔔 Our latest podcast is LIVE! 🔔 In this podcast, Richard Taylor and Ann-Catherine Jones are joined by travel industry doyenne Fiona Dalton, General Manager Australia & New Zealand for Virtuoso Travel, the 'leading global network of travel agencies specialising in luxury and experiential travel', in their own words.

👉 LISTEN HERE 👈 https://podcast.travelcommunityhub.com/2114662/12718006

After understanding a little of Fiona's role at Virtuoso we talked about:

🛫 the evolution of the role of the travel advisor
🛫 how our industry can support women, that covered elements we might not usually consider
🛫 why a mentor is so important (and how to find one, and what mindset to take with you)
🛫 gold trading (!)
🛫 and how Fiona claims to be responsible for the introduction of headsets at Flight Centre.

Enjoy listening! 🙏

👉 LISTEN HERE 👈 https://podcast.travelcommunityhub.com/2114662/12718006

19/04/2023

Travel agents, here’s your chance to WIN! 🎁🎁

We’ve teamed up with Aircalin to give travel agents the opportunity to win flights to Nouméa (New Caledonia) for themselves and a companion and return airport transfers with Friendly Transfers .

👉 Here’s what you need to do to enter: https://www.travelcommunityhub.com/latest/win-flights-new-caledonia/

And good luck!

Aircalin and Travel Community Hub are giving one lucky travel agent the chance to win flights for 2 to New Caledonia. ENTER NOW!

19/04/2023

In June 2020, Andy Buerckner, CEO of Platinum Travel Group penned a LinkedIn post (later featured in Karryon: Together In Travel) that opened up about how he was struggling, which allowed many hundreds of others to admit the same. 🙌

💛 Ann-Catherine Jones and I invited Andy to our Offloaded podcast, for a very frank discussion on the trauma the industry is still carrying and how he's rebuilding his business after the pandemic and asked what's happened since then. It's a powerful story of rebuilding a business, and must listen for all.

👏 Also, we had the pleasure of Emily Porter from Sno'n'Ski Holidays joining us to explain there are even more reasons to book skiing via a travel professional than your average holiday.

🙏 We want to thank our major sponsor Viking for all the ongoing support.

⏯ Listen to our latest podcast here -
https://podcast.travelcommunityhub.com/2114662/12511989-andy-buerckner-sno-n-ski-and-social-media

🎉 Offloaded is available wherever you get your podcasts.

"A Problem Shared"Richard Taylor and AC Jones speak to Platinum Travel Group CEO Andy Buerckner, for very frank discussion on the trauma the industry is still carrying, and how he's rebuilding his business after the pandemic. In June 2020, Andy ma...

10/03/2023

💥 Episode 3 is here!

💸 Steve Hui of IFLYflat - The Points Whisperer joined to give us an industry lowdown on airline status credits and points and explain how he charges the highest fees in the travel industry,

🚍 Ann-Catherine Jones presents her 10 Golden Rules of How To Behave on Fam Trips.

✈️ And Anna Jones of Ormina Tours dropped in to talk about how they're adjusting to working with much busier agents and advisors. Ormina Tours have be so supportive of The Travel Community Hub since it began.

🙏The series sponsor is Viking.

▶️ You can listen and subscribe by going here https://www.travelcommunityhub.com/ and clicking 'podcast'.

07/03/2023

Happy International Women’s Day to all the impactful women making waves in the travel industry! 💐⁠
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27/02/2023

💥 Episode 2 of Offloaded has dropped!

✅ We finish up our interview with Dean Long, Ann-Catherine Jones tells us why leave means leave, and Steve Martinez of Livn talks about how travel companies, groups and online agencies can better employ technology to connect to tours, activities and attractions.

We sincerely hope you like it. If you do, please tell others and share this post with them. 🙏

👏 Next week's we're talking to Steve Hui of iFlyFlat, in a lesson for us all on airline status and points.

▶️ Play episode and subscribe: https://lnkd.in/g7ZmhRyh

Sign you to our newsletter:
https://www.travelcommunityhub.com/newsletter/

Richard Taylor and Ann-Catherine Jones are joined by guests to discuss the Australian travel industry.This is a Travel Community Hub production. Visit https://www.travelcommunityhub.com/ for more information and to sign up for our newsletter that ...

22/02/2023

👋 Our podcast is now live, and available on all podcast platforms and our website - https://podcast.travelcommunityhub.com/

2023 is a new era, and it's time to start talking with people about, well, normal travel industry life.

After spending so long creating webinars that addressed issues of the day, this will be different. We want to chart the industry through the voices of those living it.

We will bring on a diverse range of industry guests each episode to talk about their worlds, their journeys, thoughts, and experiences.

We'd love to hear feedback, and what types of guests you'd hope to hear from. 🙏

01/11/2022

Sharing on behalf of Destination Webinars, who have a ticket to offer an agent who'd like to come along to the CATO Chrissie Lunch on December 8th.

***Please comment on THEIR post, not this one!***

UPDATE: Alfina Maugeri was randomly drawn as the winner 🥳

I know it's only the end of October... but festive season is just around the corner! 🎄
Let's toast the end of the year together 🥂

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵?
We have a ticket to give away to one lucky travel agent to come along to one of the best industry events of the year!

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄.

(Don't worry about coming alone as I will meet you and introduce you to some of your favourite suppliers.) 💙
You've gotta be in it to win it!

Good luck, Sarah

12/07/2022

We're kicking off the first of a few upcoming sessions that will look at industry technology. The first is a Travel Daily and TravelBulletin event where Bruce and Richard will speak to Kaylene Shuttlewood and Lance Batty of Amadeus.

This will be interesting for anyone that sells travel and/or has an interest in travel technology generally given Amadeus' reach into so many areas.

That's happening this Thursday (14th July) at 1pm AEST. More details are on the registration link. If you can't make it live and would like to instead see the recording, register anyway to be notified when that's released.

26/04/2022

Another travel industry discussion event, this time on the subject of employment in our industry. From speaking to quite a few people we've reached a point where many companies are looking for staff, and on the flipside potential employees are nervous about coming back.

All this creates a perfect storm of uncertainty, and I've enlisted Amber Jackson and Richard Kellaway to help begin make some sense of it.

It's on Monday May 2nd at 13:00, and yes there will be a recording. Register to join live or receive that recording via:
https://tinyurl.com/2p852zy5

It's the first of what might be two or three discussions on this subject, and I hope you can make it. Your stories of recent experiences on either side of recruitment would be really helpful too - contact me or comment below!
Richard Taylor

As our industry continues its long-overdue recovery, organisations of every shape and size are now attempting to recruit staff. But with a changed landscape for both employers and potential employees, the process of bringing in new faces isn’t as straightforward as it once was. Amber Jackson, Peop...

04/03/2022

We're holding the monthly Travel Community Pub this evening from 6pm AEDT. You should drop in for a chat :)

Details below, join anytime from 6pm AEDT

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83764096836?pwd=ajFJSzZ5cTZYRTViNExZRTU3K2VoQT09 Meeting ID: 837 6409 6836 Passcode: 027781

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

03/02/2022

Very excited to announce a partnership with Travel Daily and TravelBulletin that will offer suppliers, airlines, tourism and organisations and others a terrific opportunity to reach people into the future. It's going to be great!

24/01/2022

This coming Thursday at 11am AEDT I'll be talking to Belle Goldie and Dan Russell following today's National Travel Day of Action.

Putting this together has been quite the story on its own for Belle and Dan. We'll talk about their interactions with politicians and the media, but most importantly what the next steps are for positive outcomes in 2022.

Join us for a chat. All are welcome, and yes it will be recorded if you can't make it live - please register and you'll receive the link after the event.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2jssuy8v

Cheers
Richard Taylor

07/12/2021

We'd like to invite you to a webinar on the 14th December at 13:00 AEDT in partnership with Entire Travel Group

With the first flight leaving Sydney for Vancouver on 17th December, join Richard Taylor for a conversation with Entire Travel Group’s Sales Director Greg McCallum, Travel Trade Manager at Destination Canada, Nathan McLoughlin, and Sam Treby, Entire Travel Group's Destination Manager for Canada and Alaska.

Entire Travel Group have designed an exciting range of pre-designed, purpose-built “independent” holiday packages covering every angle of Canada that are ready to ‘Book Now’ on Entire Travel Group's website.

Nathan will talk on the latest trends and data in relation to Canada, and explain why Canada will be on every Aussie traveller’s “wish-list” once again.

Here's the registration link, and look forward to seeing you!
https://tinyurl.com/2p853cx8

Hear from three Canada experts, Greg McCallum, Sales Director at Entire Travel Group, Nathan McLoughlin, Travel Trade Manager at Destination Canada and Sam Treby, Destination Manager Canada & Alaska at Entire Travel Group as they discuss with Richard Taylor what travel looks like ahead of the first....

07/12/2021

We'd like to invite you to a webinar on the 14th December at 13:00 AEDT in partnership with Entire Travel Group.

With the first flight leaving Sydney for Vancouver on 17th December, join Richard Taylor for a conversation with Entire Travel Group’s Sales Director Greg McCallum, Travel Trade Manager at Destination Canada Nathan McLoughlin, and Sam Treby, Entire Travel Group's Destination Manager for Canada and Alaska.

Entire Travel Group have designed an exciting range of pre-designed, purpose-built “independent” holiday packages covering every angle of Canada that are ready to ‘Book Now’ on Entire Travel Group's website.

Nathan will talk on the latest trends and data in relation to Canada, and explain why Canada will be on every Aussie traveller’s “wish-list” once again.

Here's the registration link, and look forward to seeing you!
https://tinyurl.com/2p853cx8

Thanks,
Richard

Hear from three Canada experts, Greg McCallum, Sales Director at Entire Travel Group, Nathan McLoughlin, Travel Trade Manager at Destination Canada and Sam Treby, Destination Manager Canada & Alaska at Entire Travel Group as they discuss with Richard Taylor what travel looks like ahead of the first....

07/11/2021

Announcing our upcoming discussion called 'Which Way To Recovery?' that's on Weds 17th November at 13:00 AEDT.

Trish Shepherd and Jorge Fernandez join Richard for a discussion on how travel businesses can shape their own recovery.

With a wealth of experience across multiple areas of business, Jorge and Trish will talk financials, fees and 'frenemies', and how your business can make best use of what it already has. They'll also answer your questions!

Members visit here to register: https://lnkd.in/grXEHC4n
Non-members visit here to buy tickets: https://lnkd.in/gbmxQNNC

Info on TCH and how to become a member: https://lnkd.in/gzCahw3y
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://lnkd.in/grXpcc28

19/10/2021

Tomorrow (Weds 20th) 13:00 AEDT

Come and listen to Charlie Trevena and I as we grill Anna Shannon over the launch of her project, Travel Agent Finder. It's a website aimed to link travellers with agents who are experts in where they want to go.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/zm58eajf

Richard Taylor

06/10/2021

On Thursday 14th Oct at 13:00, Brett Jardine, Lisa Pagotto and Roslyn Ranse join us to discuss the evolving relationship between travel agents and their suppliers during and post-Covid, and what this means for the travelling client.

As the chat box gets so busy and people clearly need to talk, for the first time we're trialling a post-event networking chat after a short break 2:30pm. The available panelists will all join - note that this one is a meeting, so you can turn on cameras (if you wish), microphones etc.

Register for both separately
Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/fzzs3aff
Post Event Networking: https://tinyurl.com/yt24zt8p
Subscribe to be notified of future events: https://tinyurl.com/j824ypca

30/09/2021

Charlie Trevena and I held a webinar yesterday with Fiona Mayor, to talk about how travel businesses can restart or revamp their social media profiles with minimum fuss. As things hopefully begin to pick up, the last thing anyone will have time for is dreaming up social media posts each day, so among many other things we talked about implementing a content plan. Other topics were differentiating yourself from the competitors, and why you shouldn't worry about how many followers you have.

Fiona is so supportive towards travel and has offered some free downloads during the webinar that can help anyone get on top of things, and TCH Members are entitled to a big discount on her regular price for an audit.

The recording is here, feel free to check it out.
https://vimeo.com/617793671/4ce21a8aa7

Richard

Social media hotshot Fiona Mayor of Pop Media returns to The Travel Community Hub, and will spoke to Charlie Trevena and Richard Taylor. Lessons from around the…

21/09/2021

Join us Tuesday 28th at 13:00 AEST for this one. So much to talk about with this one.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/sv4kntb7

27/08/2021

You are not alone.

The Travel Community Pub is on this evening from 6pm AEST, as it is every Friday. It's just a loose gathering of industry and ex-industry folks for a drink and chat on every topic under the sun.

New people are always warmly welcomed and actually make it better. You don't even need to pretend to be happy!

So join us for a drink, AFTER 6PM AEST, by clicking here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83624028009

It usually goes for anything between 2 and 5 hours, and if you miss it just come back next week.

Here's a screenshot from last week as we laughed about something I can't repeat here.

30/07/2021

A reminder that The Travel Community Pub is on tonight and every Friday during lockdowns, from 6pm AEST. Join us!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83624028009

29/07/2021

This made me laugh. Hello Cruising With Honey x x x

https://fb.watch/72esp3w9EN/

27/07/2021

Debra Fox and Susan Haberle of The Inspire Collective are my guests on Thursday at 13:00 AEST, along with Bruce Piper of Travel Daily and TravelBulletin

As they launch a survey (link below) of travel agents and agencies as part of research into what a brighter future may look like in a post-pandemic world, they say that whilst the industry is rightly focused on the challenges of today it must also be ready to grasp the opportunities of tomorrow.

Registration: https://tinyurl.com/546nw8sn
Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/InspireCollective
Join: https://members.travelcommunityhub.com/

Richard Taylor

Richard Taylor and Bruce Piper speak to Deb Fox and Susan Haberle of The Inspire Collective. The longstanding business partners and friends bring over 50 years combined experience and expertise across retail, tourism, travel operators and media. As they launch a survey of travel agencies as part of....

27/07/2021

Surveying Success. Join Us On Thursday - https://mailchi.mp/travelcommunityhub/surveyingsuccess

16/07/2021

Due to the scale of lockdowns across the country, the usual bi-weekly Travel Community Pub has been extended to include TONIGHT (Friday 16th) from 6pm AEST.

Join us for a drink if you're able to :)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83624028009

Meeting ID: 836 2402 8009

06/07/2021

To Fee Or Not To Fee? Join Us Friday - https://mailchi.mp/travelcommunityhub/tofeeornottofee

18/06/2021

Product Reminder (TODAY!), and Talking Service Fees - https://mailchi.mp/travelcommunityhub/product-fees

17/06/2021

Today's webinar is with Ann-Catherine Jones, Shelley Brice and Sonia Jones for the continuation of this little series assessing where things currently are.

This one is called 'What The Hell Can We Sell?!' and will discuss Product.

Whilst there are many challenges, what sensible choices can we make whilst negotiating with chaos outside of our control?

AC, Shelley and Sonia will discuss making the most of the tools available, finding your niche, demonstrating your expertise, making time-efficient use of marketing material, dealing with domestic suppliers, and more.

Following this one will be a session called 'To Fee Or Not To Fee', which will tackle Service Fees.

These sessions thrive with the input of attendees chipping in with comments and thoughts. Do join us!

https://tinyurl.com/329v6h4b

Ann-Catherine, Shelley and Sonia are back and this time they are talking all things Product. For those who have kept their businesses open and are pirouetting their way through the pandemic, the battle with availability, finding bookable product and keeping clients engaged in Australian travel can b...

16/06/2021

Talking to Campbell Harris today, about the launch of Suki.Travel this year. What kind of time is this to launch a product in the industry, and how can it help advisors work smarter?

Link to register, or the recording will be available for members after the event.

Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9216232866232/WN_bV2g-zUwTD2gWr24bCPwPg
The Travel Community Hub site (go to 'Webinar Recordings' once signed in) : https://members.travelcommunityhub.com/