The winner of the 2015 Avis Travel Agent Scholarship was announced last night in Sydney in recognition of outstanding customer service.
Tasmanian native Belinda van Tholen (MTA) was chosen as the winner of the retail travel industry’s most prestigious award by a panel of judges against another four worthy contenders.
Belinda, who worked for Flight Centre for eight years before starting her own business 18 months ago as part of the MTA Travel group, impressed the judges with her determination to develop an ever more detailed and nuanced appreciation of her customers’ individual needs.
Avis Travel Industry Manager Russell Butler says this year’s Scholarship was one of the most closely contested yet, adding that the quality of travel agents in Australia is top-class.
In its 19th year, the awards night was attended by previous winners of the scholarship and held at the Four Seasons Hotel. Guests were treated with a delicious banquet dinner as the night’s events unfolded.
As the winner of the scholarship, Belinda’s prize is worth more than $45,000, and includes two return Qantas Airways Business Class tickets to New York plus accommodation in Manhattan, Avis car hire credit, a scholarship to study at Southern Cross University with financial support of up to $8,000, two tickets to the 2016 NTIA Gala Dinner in Sydney including return flights and overnight accommodation, and much more.
The 20th Avis Travel Agent Scholarship will take place next year, and travel agents are encouraged to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.