The travel agency from a small South Australian town won big on the weekend when it was voted by the people as the ‘Travel Agency of the Year’.
Kingscote Travel won the highly coveted ‘People’s Choice’ award at the NTIAs on Saturday night, making it the second Traveller Choice member to be bestowed with the honour in the last two years.
Travellers Choice Managing Director Christian Hunter says it is no coincidence the network’s members have dominated the award category.
Read more of what he and Kingscote Travel’s Owner, Evelyn Swayne, had to say:
What does winning this award mean to you and the business?
Image: Kingscote Travel/Facebook
Christian: Over the past two years Travellers Choice members have accounted for almost half of all People’s Choice nominated agencies, which reflects the exceptionally strong connection our members enjoy with their local communities.
What was it do you think that helped you win this year?
Image: Kingscote Travel/Facebook
Christian: That relationship (between members and their communities) is created and sustained by exceptional customer experience, but it is also facilitated by the support services Travellers Choice offers all of its members, particularly in the areas of local area marketing and digital promotions.
Evelyn: This award would not be possible without my wonderful staff and the support of the Travellers Choice network, of which I am proud to be a member. But most of all I would like to thank all our amazing clients and all the people of Kangaroo Island. We are a close knit community and the relationship we have with our clients is special. My greatest reward comes from hearing their travel stories and helping them make their travel dreams come true.
How is the year ahead shaping up?
Evelyn: It’s been a good year for Kingscote Travel and the rest of 2017 is on track for an excellent result. Our business is very consistent and robust because of the relationship we have with our community and the strength of tourism to Kangaroo Island, with many visitors booking local tours through us.
Do you have any tips for other agencies in building customer relations?
Evelyn: It’s not just about providing great service to a client base, it’s about genuinely being part of a community and contributing to it in a positive way. That approach, and our commitment to being available 24/7, has helped us build a special relationship with our customers, one that is based on an extraordinary level of trust.