Travel Counsellors Chairman David Speakman told delegates at the company's conference in Melbourne last week (28 - 30 May) that despite coming up against global issues this year, business in Australia has boomed.

In the wake of a volcanic eruption, continued unrest in popular holiday destinations Thailand, Jamaica and Greece, and ongoing recovery from last year’s recession, David declared to over 60 Travel Counsellors attending the conference; “Life is 10% fact and 90% attitude – if you believe that business will be good and if you work hard you will get the bookings. If you think you’re going to be quiet then you will be proved right.”

David pointed out that while it was easy to focus on the negatives, there was plenty to be happy about. He noted that customers may have lacked the confidence to book flights in recent weeks, but the number of cruise bookings had increased.

He said that the travel companies that would struggle would be those that didn’t have a “close emotional relationship with the customer – who just transact and don’t relate”. He pointed out that the income of individual Travel Counsellors worldwide has increased by 23%, and that each and every agent could be a winner.

He also noted that it was the company’s relational model of super service, concierge, impartial advice and building friendships that has resulted in Travel Counsellors outperforming the market. He also said that transactional models such as the internet and call centres will have to adapt in order to survive.

Campbellfield based Travel Counsellor David Phillips attended the conference and said: “I’ve been in this industry for over 30 years, but never have I attended a conference that had so much positivity and punch. It’s all about believing in yourself and believing you can do it.”

The winners of the seven awards presented at Saturday night’s Gala Dinner at the Langham Hotel Melbourne, were Claudia Silk from Melbourne, Christine Jenkins from Melbourne, Ian Silk from Melbourne, Julia Klapsing from Brisbane and Karen Farley from Brisbane, Lucy Fenwick from Melbourne won 2 awards one being  Best Newcomer after 10 months as a Travel Counsellor.

David Speakman, Christine Jenkins, Malcolm Hingley	David Speakman, Karen Farley, Malcolm Hingley
David Speakman, Lucy Fenwick, Malcolm Hingley	David Speakman, Ian Silk, Malcolm Hingley
David Speakman, Claudia Silk, Malcolm Hingley	Kelly Cleary, Nathan Kenny, Simon Clancy, Laura Gee
Tina Millington, Louise Bennett, Michelle Riel, Paolo Valle	Anna Speakman, Deb Morgan
David Phillips, James Rhinesmith, Trish Phillips	Pow Wow