Kim Hatherly named 2008 Avis Scholarship winner
Kim Hatherly from Southside World Travel in the Sydney suburb of Gymea has won this year’s Avis Travel Agent Scholarship of Excellence.
Now in its 12th year, the annual scholarship recognises and rewards travel consultants who can demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality customer service.
Kim was chosen from six finalists, [pictured right with George Proos and Russell Butler from Avis] all of whom presented to members of the Avis Travel Agents Advisory Board during today’s final judging session at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney.
Avis Travel Industry Manager Russell Butler said the 2008 scholarship had attracted a record number of submissions, making it one of the most competitive years in the award’s history.
“Not surprisingly the quality of this year’s finalists was exceptional,†Butler said.
“Not only did all finalists demonstrate how they currently deliver exceptional customer service, they also provided insight into how agents could use emerging technology to meet clients’ changing needs, and ways in which agents could respond to key trends now reshaping the industry, in particular a growing demand for responsible tourism options.â€
This year’s scholarship is valued at more then $30,000, with Kim receiving two business-class return tickets to New York flying Qantas, six nights’ accommodation, seven days’ car rental, $1,000 worth of foreign exchange products from American Express and two cruise training modules from the International Cruise Council Australia.
[Kim is pictured left]
She will also benefit from multiple one-on-one business coaching from Polonious Resources and have the opportunity to mix with Australia’s retail leaders while serving in an honorary position on the Avis Travel Agents Advisory Board.
This year’s finalists – all of whom will receive a personal online behavioural profile and a consultation session with a professional business coach from Polonius Research, as well as an Avis weekend car hire and a $50 American Express Foreign Exchange voucher – included:
Louise Brown – Spencer Travel, Surry Hills, NSW
Barbara Cowley – Travel Managers, Quorrobolong, NSW
Frances Carr – HWT Keperra, QLD
Nina Laney – Trailfinders, Brisbane, QLD
Lisa Upton – HWT Noosa, QLD
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