The addition this month of two highly specialised – and ambitious – travel agencies is injecting further momentum into the Travellers Choice network’s ongoing expansion.
Victorian agency Selah (pronounced See-Lah, a biblical phrase that means to pause and reflect) launched in 2006 exclusively offering travel services to Christian missionaries. The company quickly expanded to provide Christian travellers with a range of pilgrimage tours to Israel and Palestine, and founder Lisa Tarzia says it was enjoying robust post-COVID growth until the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas forced it to look beyond the Middle East.
“In response we developed a range of travel itineraries that feature a spiritual overlay,” says Tarzia. “Some have clear Christian connections, such as the Camino pilgrimage in Spain. Others are more creative, such as Antarctica – while Jesus never visited, it’s a destination that allows visitors to experience a sense of creation.”
The pivot towards a broader range of spiritually-infused leisure tours has opened up significant growth potential, sparking Tarzia’s decision to join Travellers Choice.
“I have almost 40 years travel experience, so I don’t need my hand held. But running your own business can be lonely – especially when all my staff work from home.
“I want to be part of a network that can support me as I grow, but which also sees me as more than just a number. Travellers Choice took the time to understand my business and it provides a level of personalised interaction that I haven’t experienced before.”
Also joining the Travellers Choice network in Victoria this month is Sports Travel Australia.
Established in 2015, the business specialises in group tours for school-age athletes to compete in overseas cross-country and track and field competitions.
Karen Morham, a highly-experienced sports coach and fitness professional, came to work with Sports Travel Australia after her son travelled with the company to an event in Canada. In 2022 she acquired the business when its founder retired.
Morham now plans to expand the focus beyond school sports to offer customers a broad array of traditional leisure product, including cruises and FIT itineraries.
“I’m moving beyond the specialist area that I know really well, and I need to know I can call on business development and marketing support when I need it, especially given my grounding has not been in travel,” says Morham.
“It’s really about me wanting to deliver excellence in personalised customer service, and that is exactly what Travellers Choice is all about.”
Travellers Choice offers three membership solutions – Activate, Elevate and Accelerate – each incorporating different levels of business services and financial benefits in line with a member’s specific needs.
Both Selah and Sports Travel Australia are joining Travellers Choice as Activate members. As they grow, and their needs evolve, they can seamlessly move to another membership level.