Seven Personal Travel Managers recently experienced a taste of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia on an eight-day exclusive TravelManagers famil.
The group of New South Wales and Victoria based personal travel managers flew Vietnam Airlines directly from Sydney and Melbourne and were hosted by partner supplier Buffalo Tours.
Participating personal travel managers were Victoria based Josie Puglia, Maria Rainone, Penny Meallin, Tanya Patterson; New South Wales representatives Debra Deane, Robbie Barrett, Sarena Taylor with escorts Suzanne Laister from the national partnership office; Amy Scott, Buffalo Tours and Charlotte Chun from Vietnam Airlines.
TravelManagers’ personal travel managers in Phnom Penh about to set sail for Mekong Island renowned for its silk weaving. From left to right Robbie Barrett, Amy Scott from Buffalo Tours, Debra Deane, Charlotte Chun from Vietnam Airlines, Maria Rainone, Tin local guide, Josie Puglia, Penny Meallin, Sarena Taylor, Tanya Patterson and Suzanne Laister from national partnership office.
Experiencing a jam-packed itinerary the personal travel managers enjoyed unforgettable and inspiring experiences of historical, cultural and geographical significance.
Ho Chi Minh City with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels was first on the famil agenda. The tunnels, which served as living quarters for the soldiers, supply routes and a hospital during the Vietnam War are today seen as a testimony to the Vietnamese people’s resiliency.
For Meallin representative for Seaford, it was the opportunity to visit the War Remnants Museum where she appreciated to truly understand Vietnam; you need to first honour the past.
“The story of Saigon really begins at the War Remnants Museum where the city’s darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War are displayed through graphic photographs. It was an extremely confronting and emotional experience for me, but one I highly recommend for my clients to fully appreciate and reflect on this country’s history”
Penny Meallin
The group discovered a visit to Vietnam wouldn’t be complete without spending some time on the Mekong Delta.
TravelManagers’ personal travel managers enjoy an authentic Mekong Delta boat experience from front to back, Robbie Barrett, Sarena Taylor, Debra Deane, Josie Puglia, Amy Scott from Buffalo Tours, Tanya Patterson, Suzanne Laister from national partnership office, Penny Meallin, Charlotte Chun from Vietnam Airlines and Maria Rainone.
“It was simply fascinating to see the locals going about their daily life as we floated past villages, boats and houses. It is here on the Mekong Delta you experience the real Vietnam. I was intrigued by the colour and bustling nature of the floating markets and to have a Vietnamese cooking demonstration onboard was truly was an amazing experience,” says Taylor, representative from Erina.
Crossing the border into Cambodia the famil group visited the eco reserve Tra Su Cajuput Forest and enjoyed a stop at a village spending time with monks at the local monastery.
“The Forest with over 100 species of water birds has the most stunning fauna and flora and offers quite a contrast to our time in Vietnam,” says Barrett representative for Dubbo.
Laister recommends for clients to pack their sense of adventure and they will be rewarded with a uniquely diverse and cultural holiday experience.
“We experienced a journey with a difference as we travelled through Cambodia’s countryside on a xe loi, best described as a chauffeured adult version of a tricycle. It was simply fabulous and the perfect way to appreciate Cambodia’s landscape, culture and history.”
Suzanne Laister
Being able to share her personal famil experiences is proving valuable for Barrett.
“I have just finished my second quote and I’m hoping to convert them both. I am so inspired and being able to relay my passion and my recent personal experiences of Vietnam and Cambodia to my clients is the best-selling tool I have. It builds trust with my clients and they appreciate getting accurate and up to date information. Clients like knowing you ate the local food, caught local transport and survived to tell the tale!”
What’s your experience from Cambodia and Vietnam?
About TravelManagers
TravelManagers operates in all Australian States and is a wholly owned subsidiary of House of Travel, Australasia’s largest independent travel company which has a forecast turnover of $1.2 billion for 2014. TravelManagers is a sister company to Hoot Holidays, also owned by House of Travel, and has more than 450 personal travel managers throughout Australia with a dedicated support team at the company’s national partnership office in Sydney. TravelManagers places all customer money in a dedicated and audited Client Trust Account which is separate from the general business accounts, ensuring client funds are only used for client purchases.