But now, in its wake, her agency is busier than ever.
She said that in recent times, travel had become more complicated as travellers sought more individualised travel plans.
If there’s one all-inclusive tour company’s tours her customers are still keen to book, however, it’s APT’s.
Lyn McNaught Travel has recently achieved APT Luxury Travel Group’s ‘Diamond Agent’ status, learning the news at a prestigious awards night held at Melbourne’s Crown Casino on Valentine’s Day eve.
It’s an achievement Lyn and her sole employee, Tara McPherson, have accomplished several times before, but as travel experts passionate about their jobs, it’s no less exciting.
“APT is a very good Australian company, one of the best, who sells a great product,” Lyn said.
“They have a great range of holidays across Australia, Asia and Europe and they do river cruising very well.”
She said APT’s tour offerings were all-inclusive, five-star affairs.
“That saying, ‘You get what you pay for,’ nothing could be truer in travel,” Lyn said.
The ‘diamond status’ is reached based on (an undisclosed) sales figure in a 12-month period.
APT representative Joshua Bright presented Lyn with a scenic painting of Thai temples that was created by Cambodian kids his company sponsors.
“A lot of thanks goes to all our wonderful clients over the years who trust us to put them on tours and holidays,” Lyn said.
She said knowing her clients and what they were after well was key.
“Anyone can sell a holiday, but not anyone can sell a suitable one,” Lyn said.
After more than 50 years in the industry, Lyn said no two days were ever the same and the job remained healthily challenging.
“You don’t know who’s coming in and where they’re going to go,” she said.
While modern-day technology and access have seen more travellers making their own travel arrangements from their phones and computers at home, Lyn said using an agent could give them peace of mind with so many scams circling.
“When you travel, you can call your agent any time of day or night and we will answer,” she said.
“We are helping you fulfil a dream. I will treat your money as though it’s my own; I will be careful with it.”
∎ For more information on Lyn McNaught Travel, visit the website here.
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