1000 Mile Travel Group: How To Stay Stronger Together

The team at 1000 Mile Travel Group believe that when the world is confronted with such rapid change, it is a time to step back, reflect and take action.

1000 Mile Travel said its major focus has been turning efforts outward to provide support and guidance to colleagues, suppliers and partners.

The group created the #GUIDETHEMHOME campaign in March followed by The Future of Travel, which aims to stimulate and inform travellers on how to plan the perfect trip when borders open and travel resumes.

“The moment the environment started to shift, we took it upon ourselves to change our entire business strategy and structure. As much as we love planning the many functions, conferences and exciting getaways our clients love organising with us, it was time to change our priorities.”

Ben Ross, 1000 Mile Travel Group’s Managing Director.

A range of testimonials from clients on the support they have received throughout this trying time have made their way to the company directors.

Tammy Savill, a 1000MTG Travel Expert based in Sydney, received this kind thank-you from a client:

“I honestly cannot put into words how incredible Tammy was in getting me home to Ireland in this global crisis. She stayed up until 1:30AM to secure my flights and provided me with so much reassurance. She was up to date with absolutely everything going on across the world with borders closing and where best to fly through.

The options were so limited after all my personal flights had been cancelled. She was able to get me flights and despite keeping her up very late into the night she was up super early the next morning replying to my messages, providing me with reassurance and contacting the airline to get confirmation my flight through Hong Kong was not at risk of being cancelled with the borders being closed.

In my eyes she is a hero and there are no words to explain how incredible she has been through this incredibly tough period in everyone’s lives. I am a nurse and will be returning to work here in the hospitals in Ireland and the only reason I am able to do that is because of Tammy Savill. She was able to get me home to my family and you can only imagine how my parents and brother felt about that.”

Sadly, there has been a lot of negative press recently on how the travel industry is processing and handling the refund process.

In response to this, 1000 Mile Travel Group has put together a Mythbusters list:

1. The travel industry has seen more job losses than other industries throughout the crisis, specifically the airline industry, resulting in longer processing times – TRUE
2. Travel agents receive commission by suppliers for bookings made and travelled on – TRUE
3. If a client cancels a booking, travel agents still receive the commission – MYTH
4. Travel agents hold all funds paid by the customer until departure – MYTH
5. Suppliers and airlines hold customer monies until refunded – TRUE
6. Refunds are quick to process – MYTH
7. On average refunds take 90 days to process, and due to the current government restrictions are
   taking between 3-6 months to receive – TRUE
8. Travel agents pass on refunds as soon as they received by the supplier – TRUE
9. The ACCC has advised the travel industry to treat cancelled trips due to government restrictions in
   line with terms and conditions of the contract – TRUE

   1000 Mile Travel, like the rest of the travel industry, is working overtime to help our loyal customers and to ensure they are returned safely to their own countries, homes and loved ones.