In a competitive field, The Travel Corporation’s Mickey Mann took home the gong for the Most Outstanding Sales Executive (Land Supply) for his work with TTC Tour Brands. Chatting with Karryon, he looks back on the award, the category he’d love to see added at next year’s NTIAs and a valuable travel tip.
Congratulations on the award… to what do you attribute your win?
This award to me is all about purpose and passion.
This is about the discipline for passion because you can always choose to do something that you care about.
My purpose is to encourage people as early as possible to get out into the world and discover who they truly are.
Because… what a great idea – a planet where everyone is safe to be living as the most authentic version of themselves.
The conversation around travel has mostly moved on from looking back to looking forward… what does the future look like for you?
I think the future will be full of good health and good times!
The travel industry is a place where passionate people can thrive, so I am looking forward to the opportunities to continue to learn, develop and grow in 2024.
What are you most excited about that’s coming up for yourself or the sector?
I think, like most Australians and my peers in the travel industry, I am excited about the travel opportunities that will continue to open for the land sector as our industry thrives.
What do you love most about your job?
I love my team at TTC Tour Brands!
I love that I am part of a talented team of passionate people who love what they do.
As for my role… the best thing is when, after connecting with me and spending some time learning about our great brands, a travel agent partner achieves business success. It’s a win-win-win because we know we have our shared clients on the trip that’s best suited to their needs.
How did you find the change of scenery in Melbourne for the NTIAs? What did you love most about this year’s event?
This was my first ever NTIA appearance, so all I can say is I loved having it in Melbourne!
I loved the opportunity to mingle with my colleagues and industry peers in such glitz and glamour. The after party was also fantastic – from what I can remember!
Is there a category you’d like to see added to the list of awards?
One thing I learnt from the NTIAs is that our industry has a great amount of people who have dedicated most, or all of their work-life to the success of our industry, so I would love to see a Hall of Fame style award to celebrate these incredibly experienced individuals.
Care to share a fun travel tip that you swear by when exploring new places?
Get up early! It may seem a drag to get up early on your holiday, but it’s the best way to see a city before the traffic and crowds, especially in the big places.
Earlier this year, I was in Paris and I got up at 6am and ran down the Champs-Elysées from the Arc Du Triomphe to La Défense – 10kms through the centre of one of the biggest cities in Europe, past all the sights with the streets almost empty. Worth the early start!
Read our wrap of the 2023 NTIAs.
Find out how agents can score a super trip with TTC Tour Brands PLUS read top tips from Toula the travel advisor.