Bronwen Irimichi

Bronwen Irimichi from Flight Centre Sherwood in Queensland is off on a dream trip to Europe after being named Dux of the 2012 'Rail Expert and French Specialist Program.

Irimichi recorded a perfect score of 100% in the annual Rail Plus training program, co-sponsored this year by French Travel Connection and Atout France. As the top graduate she and a companion will now fly with Emirates to Europe and explore the Continent using 15-day Eurail Global Passes and tickets on the Eurostar.

A total of 35 travel agents took part in this year’s ‘Rail Expert and French Specialist Program’, each completing eight training modules and answering a total of 160 questions testing their knowledge.

The next four top-scoring graduates this year were:

• Alice Vasovic of Harvey World Travel Weston in the ACT (runner up)
• Liz Moir from Phil Hoffmann Travel Semaphore, South Australia (third)
• Anna Powell from MTA, Queensland (tied for fourth)
• Lisa Robertson from Flight Centre Devonport, Tasmania (tied for fourth)

All four will now take part in an exclusive Rail Expert France Familiarisation tour in November, during which they will travel on some of the world’s leading high-speed train journeys.

Vasovic will also fly to Sydney next year to take part in the 2013 AFTA award, while Moir will travel to Melbourne in December to attend the 2012 Christmas TraveLeague Luncheon.

All of this year’s graduates were presented with a Eurail Global Pass, a certificate, and a personalised ‘Rail Expert and French Specialist’ trophy during graduation parties held in each state this month.

Rail Plus Chief Executive David Stafford said the performance of this year’s consultants was outstanding.

“The high calibre of the graduates emerging from this program over the past four years reflects a growing understanding that specialist knowledge and skills are vital if travel consultants want differentiate themselves from competitors,” says Stafford.

French Travel Connection Managing Director Brad McDonnell said he was proud to support a program that not only fostered professional development but enhanced consultants’ expertise on one of the world’s most popular destinations.

“The real winners from this year’s program are the graduates’ clients, who will now benefit from the support and guidance of genuine French Specialists,” McDonnell said.