At just 20 years old, Taylor Meredith from Travel Menai Metro has been named Rising Star (Associate) at the recent Helloworld Frontliners Conference in Fiji, a recognition that celebrates the most promising emerging talent across the network.
Her win caps a year of rapid growth, hands-on learning and standout performance since joining the Menai-based agency in November 2023. And while the trophy may have her name on it, her boss, Sonya Prior, says the result reflects the kind of commitment and curiosity that’s rare in someone so new to the industry.
According to Sonya, Taylor’s passion for travel and respectful nature were immediately clear during the hiring process. “She was quite shy at first, but incredibly respectful — something I really admire,” Sonya recalls.
Taylor joined Travel Menai Metro (a member of Helloworld Travel) as Personal Assistant and Trainee Travel Consultant at just 19, fresh from completing a Certificate in Tourism at TAFE and eager to carve out a professional path in travel.
Sonya says Taylor’s eagerness to learn made it easy to open every possible door.
“I sent her to any in-house training offered by Helloworld head office,” she says. “I also asked her to complete at least one webinar a week — and she often did more in her own time.”
Beyond the classroom, Sonya made sure Taylor gained firsthand experience through famils and supplier events, which she believes are crucial for young travel advisors.
“These trips help new consultants understand the mechanics of a holiday, connect with industry partners and grow in maturity,” she adds.
“We’re an office of mature women who welcomed Taylor with a kind of motherly instinct.” That environment, she says, gave Taylor not just professional guidance but valuable life experience too.
As the Helloworld Frontliners Conference celebrated its standout achievers this year, Taylor’s Rising Star Award was a proud moment not just for her but for the Travel Menai Metro team as a whole, a reminder of how nurturing, teamwork and opportunity can accelerate growth for emerging talent.
Karryon caught up with Taylor to talk about what she’s learned, what she’s challenging, and where she’s heading next.
What’s a skill you didn’t have on Day 1 that now feels essential to who you are as a travel advisor?
Strong organisation. The travel industry is unpredictable and things can change at any moment. So staying organised is crucial for delivering a smooth and consistent experience for clients. It might sound simple, but being able to set tasks, meet deadlines and manage client expectations makes all the difference in ensuring nothing gets overlooked.
I’ve also learned how important it is to know what resources to use and who to contact when something does go wrong. Having the confidence to problem solve, along with the support of a knowledgeable team behind you, is truly essential in this industry
What’s something your team does really well that helped you find your footing early on?
Being fresh in the industry, I didn’t have the advantage of decades of travel experience, but my team certainly did. Many of them have 30+ years of travelling and industry knowledge, and their willingness to share insights and real-world experiences helped me build confidence early on. Their constant encouragement, openness and support made it easy for me to ask questions and grow in every area of the job.
I was also given opportunities to attend a variety of in-person training sessions, including supplier training, cruise inspections and famil trips. These experiences were invaluable. They helped me understand different products and suppliers, stay up-to-date with new offerings, and make meaningful connections across the industry.
What’s a piece of guidance or tough love you’ve received that genuinely shifted how you work?
To step out of my comfort zone with an open mind. It can feel uncomfortable, but doing so opens new perspectives and endless opportunities. Being willing to take on unexpected challenges and learn new systems, practices and possibilities has played a huge role in my growth.
I also learned that you’re not supposed to know everything, especially early on. Asking questions, whether from your team or suppliers, is how you build understanding and deliver the best possible experience for your clients.
Finally, being open to constructive feedback has been important. Not every holiday will go perfectly, but listening to clients and colleagues and adapting your approach for the future is essential in becoming a stronger, more resilient advisor.
What’s the biggest myth about early-career travel advisors that you wish the industry would drop once and for all?
That they lack expertise. Many new advisors bring years of personal travel experience, fresh perspectives, and a genuine passion for the industry. They’re eager to learn, highly motivated and willing to go above and beyond for their clients.
Early career advisors are also incredibly adaptable. Being keen and open to learning new systems, products, and processes allows them to grow quickly and remain flexible in a constantly changing industry.
Additionally, younger advisors possess a strong understanding of social media and digital trends. This helps attract a new demographic of clients and expands the reach of the travel industry in ways that weren’t possible before.
What’s one industry habit or old way of doing things you think holds young advisors back, and how have you pushed against it?
Many in the industry are reluctant to change systems or processes that have worked for decades, but this resistance can slow innovation and makes it harder to connect with the next generation of travellers.
Today’s travellers live on social media and are confident booking their own holidays online. They’ve grown up with instant information and digital tools, so traditional methods alone aren’t enough to reach or engage them. Modern marketing strategies are essential to show this demographic the value that travel advisors provide.
I’ve pushed against the “old ways” by embracing new technology and digital communication. My office uses Facebook, Instagram, and soon TikTok to engage travellers, showcasing experiences and building trust. We also adopt new advanced systems to create efficient, personalised and seamless travel experiences. Blending these tools with traditional service has helped us reach clients who might never have considered using an advisor before.
If you could fix one gap in how the industry trains new advisors, what would you change and why would it matter?
I’d introduce a structured one-week induction where new advisors learn about customer behaviours, key destinations, the right questions to ask clients and where to find the correct help. I would also implement weekly webinars, interactive quizzes, scenario-based exercises and a dedicated support network so all advisors can ask questions, share experiences and access guidance as they continue learning. This approach matters because it equips new advisors with the skills, confidence and ongoing support they need to provide personalised, high-quality service and accelerate professional growth.
Winning Rising Star gives you a tailwind. What direction are you steering that momentum, and what are you chasing next?
I’m going to seize every opportunity to broaden my knowledge and gain hands-on experience. Being relatively new to the industry, there is still so much to explore, and I’m focused on absorbing as much as I can to see what doors it opens, not just for my own growth, but so I can pass that knowledge and insight on to others. I’m chasing opportunities to continually learn, innovate and make a meaningful impact in the travel industry while shaping memorable experiences for my clients.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Taylor Meredith’s rapid rise from trainee to Rising Star shows how structured mentoring, curiosity and digital confidence are shaping the next wave of travel excellence.
