Blog

It’s been almost 12 months since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic and I wanted to get in touch to check how you are and give you an update on my business.

It has certainly been a challenging time. Since the pandemic began, I have spent hundreds of hours sourcing refunds from suppliers across the globe on behalf of my clients. To date, Australian travel advisors have successfully repatriated six out of ten billion dollars in refunds due from overseas. As COVID-19 continues, this work continues, both personally and across the whole industry.

The closure of our international borders and the continued unpredictability of our domestic borders has also impacted my business significantly. We have been hoping for a travel bubble between Australia and neighbouring countries since the middle of last year but have repeatedly seen those options pushed back when new cases have occurred.

As difficult as it has been for us, I know it has also been tough for our clients, and all lovers of travel. So, thank you to you for your support and understanding during the most challenging period in the history of TravelManagers, and the travel industry. I hope you and your family have been well and keeping safe over the last year. I would love to hear from you, learn what’s been happening in your life and chat about your travel plans.

One year on, I find myself sitting back and reflecting on why I’m still here; why I’m pushing on despite the hurdles; and why I’m excited about the future of travel. It all comes back to the quote “remember why you started”. I started because I love travel, it’s in my DNA, and I wanted to share that passion with as many people as possible. And while the opportunity to clear customs (and at times our own driveways) has been on hold for longer than hoped, my passion remains. It’s not hard to remind myself of this…my phone’s camera roll (and yes, printed photo albums) are a quick reminder of landscapes that made me gasp, food that brought me joy, and people that made me feel like I was somehow home.

Australians are itching to travel overseas again, and I will be here to make it happen when we get the green light. It’s difficult to know exactly when that will be, but I am keeping up to date with the latest Government COVID-19 information. What I am confident of though, is that 2022 will be a bumper year and I have my sights firmly set on the recovery it will bring.

In the meantime, I’m available to help you get travelling again now, whether it’s planning for something big in 2022 or seeing more of our own backyard this year. And what a spectacular backyard we do have. I look forward to helping you discover more of Australia and to take that long-awaited and well-deserved break.

You’re in safe hands with TravelManagers.