Air New Zealand and Chimu Adventures have hosted an exclusive famil for TravelManagers’ incentive winners, travelling to Argentina and Brazil. The seven Personal Travel Managers (PTMs) who took part in the famil qualified by achieving top results with Chimu and Air NZ, or by completing a series of training exercises: criteria which TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, says ensured that places were allocated to PTMs who are truly passionate about selling South America.
“Small group numbers meant that participants were able to experience the very best that these destinations and suppliers have to offer,” he says, “and they returned home with fresh insight into these unique parts of the continent which they were eager to share with both clients and colleagues.”
Personal travel managers Gina Passfield (left) and Lyndall Hewitt soak up the sun and sights on Rio’s Copacabana beach
PTM Lyndall Hewitt, representative for North Fremantle WA, says she now has a much better understanding of the geography, culture and feel of the destinations the group visited.
“I feel a lot more confident in discussing the destination and recommending particular hotels and highlights,” she explains. “I will forever recommend strongly to any clients touching down in South America that they must visit Iguaçu Falls – it will blow their minds!”
The group’s ten-day itinerary saw them touch down in Buenos Aires, where they spent a full day and two nights experiencing the highlights of the city before heading to the largest waterfall system in the world: the spectacular Iguaçu Falls. They also spent time in the picturesque and historic coastal town of Paraty, before concluding their famil with a two-night stay in Rio de Janeiro.
Iguacu Falls provide the background for the obligatory group shot for TravelManagers’ exclusive famil to Brazil and Argentina. Left to right: Annalize Troost, Lyndall Hewitt, Janelle Philpott Air NZ rep, Gina Passfield, Anne-Maree Selmo, John Gartner Chimu NSW Sales Rep, Timo Bohlender, Simon Tinkler and Anita Medcalf
Gina Passfield, representative for Bloomsbury QLD, says the opportunity to visit Iguaçu was one of the major highlights of the famil, and adds that staying at the iconic Belmond Das Cataratas hotel added to the enjoyment of this natural wonder.
“The falls are Mother Nature at her most spectacular, and to be able to experience them with almost no-one else around, thanks to where we were staying, made it an even more fabulous experience.”
All the famil participants agree that this sort of on-the-ground, first-hand experience is the biggest benefit from participating in such a famil, allowing them to return home confident in their ability to make informed recommendations to their clients.
“I’ve already used my personal experience to recommend that clients take Argentinian pesos with them in order to avoid problems with exchanging cash or using ATMs”, said Hewitt. “I would advise clients to stretch their budget if at all possible to stay at the landmark Belmond Das Cataratas Hotel at Iguaçu, in order to gain exclusive access to the falls before and after the national park hours.”
Travelling to South America on Air New Zealand was also a positive experience for the group, giving them the opportunity to experience the carrier’s newest inflight offering.
“I can now confidently advise my clients that upgrading to the Skycouch is money well spent – especially for couples and families with young children. It was very comfortable and offers a lot of seating options to make the flight more enjoyable,” Hewitt said.
Back row (l to r): John Gartner Chimu NSW Sales Rep, Timo Bohlender, Simon Tinkler, Gina Passfield, Middle row (l to r) Anne Marie Selmo, Janelle Philpott Air NZ rep, Annalize Troost, Front row (l to r): Anita Medcalf and Lyndall Hewitt.
Anita Medcalf, representative for Trundle NSW, says she will now find selling South America much easier.
“I must especially make mention of the gorgeous hotels we stayed in, particularly the Belmond’s, which were just out of this world. It was a truly amazing and memorable experience, and, we couldn’t have asked for anything better – it was one of the best trips I have done.”
TOP IMAGE: Enjoying an evening cocktail in picturesque Paraty are TravelManagers’ Left to right: Lyndall Hewitt, Gina Passfield, Annalize Troost, John Gartner Chimu NSW Sales rep and Janelle Philpott Air NZ rep
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