Planning to apply for the Avis Travel Agent Scholarship? Then you might want to look a little closer at the application requirements, because they’ve changed a little.
No longer will judges solely reward those who excel in providing exceptional customer service, they’re looking at gifting those with an innovative mind.
That’s right, the Avis Scholarship has a renewed focus in 2018, which requires consultants in Australia and New Zealand to prove they’re conceiving and implementing fresh ideas in order to deliver that highly important customer service.
According to Avis Budget Group’s Managing Director, Kaye Ceille, the new requirement comes at a time when Travel Agents are forced to find “clever and creative ways” to stand out in a “hyper-competitive” environment.
“It could be through the imaginative use of social media and technology, or the introduction of a new twist on a familiar form of customer engagement.”
Kaye Ceille, Avis Budget Group Managing Director
“If you are taking a new and innovative approach to the way you provide customer service, and you want an opportunity to take that passion for service innovation to a new level then the Avis Scholarship is for you.”
(L-R): Scholarship judge Oliver Tams (Director Strategic Partnerships, Think), Kaye Ceille (Managing Director Pacific Region Avis Budget Group), 2016 Scholarship recipient Barbara Baron (Sylvania Travel & Cruise, NSW) and 2003 Scholarship recipient Michelle Ashcroft (Phil Hoffmann Travel, SA).
So if you’ve got that creative edge and you really want that scholarship (plus free trip), here’s what you need to do:
Click here if you’re a leisure or corporate Travel Agent. Register and answer a series of online questions.
Consultants will have until 9 October 2017 to submit their application, which can be in either written or video format. Finalists will be announced on 26 October 2017.
Finalists will receive return flights to Sydney and accommodation on 13 November to attend a judging session and a presentation dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. In addition, all finalists will receive a Personal Behavioural Profile and a consultation session with a Polonious Business Coach.
If you happen to be named this year’s Avis Travel Agent Scholarship winner, then you’ll receive the scholarship as well as a 12 months individual membership to CLIA; free registration to Cruise360 in 2018; a Polonious Resources Personal Profile, Feedback Session and on-call personal/professional coaching for 12 months, and two tickets to the 2018 NTIA Gala Dinner.
Oh, and of course, the winner will receive return Qantas Airways tickets, accommodation and car hire, with the option of travelling to the United States, Europe or Asia to attend a Phocuswright conference.
Good luck!