A visit to the stunning and well preserved Mehrangarh Fort with its traditional Indian architecture. From left back row Jill Wilkinson, Naomi Liss, Maree Oxford, Diane Craig, Anita Thomas  front row: Mushir Khan (Tour Escort THO) and Tracy Cosgriff (PTM).

Travel Managers' famil participants visited  Diane Raj. Senior Secondary  Village School of Bharatpur as patrons to witness THO initiative, supporting rural education in India.  After a tour around and meeting some of the children they gathered for a photo. From left Diane Craig, Maree Oxford, Naomi Liss, Tracy Cosgriff, Anita Thomas, Lovely Perez, Jill Wilkinson and Mushir Khan (Tour Escort THO). They also visited the Keoladeo National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary a rickshaw guided by a naturalist. The park is famous for its migratory birds  and natural landscapes making it the perfect stop for nature lovers and families

Personal Travel Managers farewell dinner at the Chunda Palace where the Maharaja and the Prince of Chunda visited the team in the lobby to thank them for their support.  Front the left Mushir Khan, Tracy Cosgriff, Lovely Perez, Naomi Liss, Diane Craig, Prince Yaduraj (Chunda Palace), Anita Thomas, Maree Oxford, Jill Wilkinson and Maharaja Krishnawat (Owner Chunda Palace).

Travel Managers’ personal travel managers have recently returned from a highly successful exclusive Travel Managers’ famil to India hosted by Anita Thomas, Total Holiday Options Sydney based Director of Sales and Marketing. This is TravelManagers first exclusive famil this year and its eleventh exclusive famil in the past three years.

Thomas says that the theme of the educational was factors that attract tourists. The famil was designed to provide the personal travel managers with an insider’s tour of India ensuring they returned rich in product knowledge making them true destination experts on the areas visited.

“Principally, it is the desire to allow them to see something different and unique whilst still allowing time for a variety of accommodation to be inspected and to see the ‘must see’ sightseeing for which India is famous. We also built in time for unique activities where the clients interact with the locals and discover the real India.”

Thomas says this was all about creating the ‘wow’ factor experience.

“We wanted to provide them with the specialist local knowledge which is not found normally in travel agencies or online. The great news is the TravelManagers team embraced the opportunity and the famil is proving hugely successful already. The personal travel managers were outstanding representatives for TravelManagers, so keen to know more, always enthusiastic and a delight to host.”

Diane Craig, representative for North Balgowlah in New South Wales says the experience was completely new and unique for her, describing it as “awe inspiring”.

“What I love about joining TravelManagers is that their educationals are not only to established popular destinations but also emerging destinations like India that include unique activities and opportunities for my clients. Following on from the Commonwealth Games and the movie “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” there is huge growth potential for India and superb margins for me as a personal travel manager. I was blown away by India and I can’t wait to go back.”

Tracy Cosgriff, representative for Palm Beach in Queensland agrees saying the famil links into TravelManagers’ Specialist Consultant Training Programme allowing personal travel managers to eventually qualify for a specialist listing.

“I am very keen to become an India specialist and once I gain this qualification through TravelManagers I can be listed on the TravelManagers consumer website at:
http://my.travelmanager.com.au/ it’s a fantastic opportunity and a point of difference for me. TravelManagers supplier relationships are incredibly strong providing us with exclusive opportunities I’ve never had access to before.”

The famil encompassed sightseeing in both the Old and New Delhi providing a beautiful contrast between the Mughal era and the British influence.  They visited some of the world famous monuments like Qutab Minar, the India Gate and Jama Masjid while taking time to experience the famous Chandni Chowk bazaar on a bicycle rickshaw allowing personal travel managers an insight into how the locals shop.

The Taj Mahal visit was enhanced by a stop at the Agra Fort famous for its marble works, which are evident in the design of Taj Mahal. Personal travel managers were educated about the calligraphy on the Taj Mahal at a local factory.

Naomi Liss, representative for Vermont in Victoria says a highlight for her was a visit to Fatehpur Sikri or the abandon city of Mughals which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Keoladeo National Park.

“India’s history is fascinating and it was great to gain a better understanding whilst opening my eyes to the stunning attractions for nature lovers in this fascinating country. The park is famous for its migratory birds and natural landscapes; it’s a great spot for clients with families or those who love nature.”

Of course no trip to India is complete without an elephant ride climbing to the Amber Fort to visit the Mirror Palace. A private high tea was organised at the five star Jai Mahal Palace Hotel allowing the personal travel managers to experience luxury at its finest. Cooking class followed by dinner with a member of the royal family, a twist which everyone enjoyed.

Maree Oxford, representative for Cardiff in New South Wales says she had never experienced a famil like it in her 25 years in travel.

“We stayed at the Nimaj Palace a fantastic heritage hotel with outstanding service. A royal welcome, a jeep safari, high tea on Chattarsagar Lake and to top it all off a special dinner with a cultural show and fireworks at the Palace, I kid you not, it was the most incredible famil I have ever been on and what’s more it was exclusively for TravelManagers!”

The famil also included Udaipur (the romantic city of India) including the City Palace with its Crystal Gallery and also Jodhpur, the Blue city of India and an adventure program using 4X4 jeep to witness a different side of India that is rarely seen - the rural, pure, simple village life and the wildlife and avian life of this region. Also seen en-route is the large variety of migratory birds and wildlife like the black buck, blue bull, chinkara and the occasional wolf all of which make it a photographer’s paradise. 

The participating personal travel managers were:

• Diane Craig representative for North Balgowlah New South Wales
• Jill Wilkinson representative for Hamilton Hill Western Australia
• Maree Oxford representative for Cardiff New South Wales
• Naomi Liss representative for Vermont Victoria
• Tracy Cosgriff representative for Palm Beach Queensland

For more information or to speak to someone confidentially about TravelManagers please contact Suzanne Laister on 1800 019 599.