2016 Avis Scholarship Finalists Announced

Avis Australia announces the finalists in the 2016 Avis Travel Agent Scholarship, with five consultants from across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria now vying for the retail travel sector’s most prestigious honour and a prize package valued at more than $40,000.

The Scholarship —which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary — is awarded annually to an Australian travel agent who delivers exceptional customer service. This year’s finalists are:

• Barbara Baron, Sylvania Travel & Cruise (NSW)
• Joanna Tatton, Cruiseabout Noosa (QLD)
• Jeanette Lasek, Travel by Design (NSW)
• Melissa Pointon, MTA Travel (NSW)
• Janene Ferguson, Helloworld South Melbourne (VIC).

The finalists for the 2016 Scholarship will travel to Sydney on 8 November to present to a panel of industry judges, with the winner announced that evening during an awards ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.

• Two return Qantas Airways Business Class tickets to New York, six nights’ accommodation in Manhattan, seven days’ car rental from Avis and appointments with senior executives at Avis World Headquarters in New Jersey, with site visits to US travel agencies
• A scholarship to study at Southern Cross University with financial support of up to $8,000*
•  12 months’ individual membership of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia and two tickets to attend Cruise3sixty in Sydney**
• A Polonious Resources personal profile, feedback session and on-call personal/professional coaching for 12 months
• Two tickets to the 2017 NTIA Gala Dinner in Sydney (return flights and overnight accommodation).
  

In addition, the winner will enjoy a one year honorary position on the Avis Travel Agents Advisory Board.

For more information on the 2016 Scholarship please visit www.avisscholarship.com.

AVIS Travel Agent Scholarship

The Avis Travel Agent Scholarship is one of the Australian travel industry’s most enduring and respected awards. Launched in 1996, the annual prize encourages, recognises and rewards outstanding customer service delivery by Australian travel consultants.

With today's tech-savvy consumers more informed and demanding than ever before, it has never been more important that travel retailers differentiate themselves from competitors through service delivery.

Who can apply?

The Avis Scholarship is open to any travel consultant with a minimum three years’ experience. There is no requirement for the applicant or his/her employer to have any commercial relationship with Avis Australia.

Scholarship winners have come from all parts of Australia and occupied a diverse range of roles - from self-employed leisure-focused travel agents to specialist consultants within large corporate travel companies. All have shared a passion for exceeding their clients’ expectations.

How does the application process work?

Travel consultants must self-nominate by registering their details online then complete an application form that includes questions on their individual approach to customer service.

Consultants are required to provide real-life examples that illustrate their of their own outstanding customer service. Finally, up to five consultants are flown to Sydney to present to a panel of industry leaders.

The judging process is rigorous and impartial.

What are judges looking for?

Winning consultants are able to demonstrate:

• a genuine respect for the client
• a willingness to take ownership of a problem
• a talent for finding innovative and creative solutions
• a determination to constantly exceed expectations
• a desire to continually improve

  ---