About Michelle

WHO IS MICHELLE TAVLI?

The travel agent who can save you money.

As a platinum franchisee of Mobile Travel Agents, Michelle Tavli knows how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to travel. Here she reveals some of the travel industry's biggest Secrets.

Isn't using a travel agent a lot more expensive?

That is one of the biggest myths around! My connections give me special access to all the best deals so I am exceptional value. For example, a friend of mine recently told me she was taking her new man down to Sydney. She had found a four-star hotel in Darling Harbour for $250 a night. Because I am a Virtuoso agent – which is an exclusive, invitation-only network for travel agents - I was able to get her a room at the Shangri-La, which is five stars, for an extra $10 a night. That also included $100USD credit to use at the bar and restaurant, and daily breakfast. So, I was able to get her a much better value trip.

Another thing to bear in mind is that big comparison websites generally get allocated the least appealing rooms. It's well-known in our industry.

Tell us more about being a Virtuoso agent.

Being a Virtuoso agent enables me to unlock special deals for my clients. For example, I generally get 20 percent off the room and breakfast rate, plus late check-out, early check-in, extra amenities and so on.

You are clearly deeply passionate about your work. What do you enjoy most about it?

I love helping people make memories that will last a lifetime. Having worked in travel for 35 years, I am able to access exclusive enhancements for no extra cost. For example, some of my clients went to a private island resort in the Maldives. They were dining at an underwater restaurant to celebrate their son's birthday and I had arranged for a diver to swim past holding a ‘Happy Birthday' sign to make them feel really special.

What skills make you so good at what you do?

Active listening is a crucial part of my job. I listen carefully to what my clients want and need. Then, thanks to all the knowledge and experience I have gathered over the years, I'm able to suggest little extras which will make their trips truly magical. I will often get a text from my clients to tell me how incredible their hotel is, or they'll send me a photograph of the view from their balcony because they've been upgraded. I love that. Most of my business is from repeat customers and referrals.

So, Michelle, where did your passion for travel stem from?

I have my parents to thank for that. They would take us on road trips to Sydney or Melbourne with Neil Diamond blaring on the radio. We used to love going to the Victorian markets in Melbourne. I'd soak up the people, the smells, the different languages, the bartering, the food from all corners of the world. It was such a huge contrast to my normal, everyday life. That is probably why I love going to bazaars overseas now.

How did you get into the travel industry?

From a very young age I wanted to be an air hostess. That evolved into wanting to own travel agencies. When I first began my training, you calculated the airfares – it was a mathematical formula. I got my first job in the industry at 17 after marching into a travel agency and telling the owner she needed me. Inside I was racked with nerves, but she liked my spunk and employed me.

How do travel agents get paid?

My clients don't pay me a cent. I'm paid commissions from airlines, hotels and tour operators. Thankfully, I don't have targets to meet like traditional agents. This means I create holidays purely to suit each client's individual interests. I provide a highly personalised service because I'm not influenced by sales targets.

What questions should I ask a travel agent?

1) Are you accredited and insured?
2) Do you have an after-hours service whilst I am away? (This is particularly important in the current climate we live in.)
3) Do you have experience in the destination I want to travel to?

And what about when things go wrong?

I'm available 24/7 to my clients. When the pandemic hit, I worked tooth and nail to ensure none of my clients lost their money. No was not an option for me.

What's the scope of your work?

My knowledge of worldwide destinations - for every budget - is unparalleled. I book holidays for families; organise corporate travel and I book trips for schools and special interest groups of any number. I also help organise destination weddings and honeymoons. I can organise everything and anything from overnight Gold Coast staycations to multi-stop, round the world trips. I've got clients all over the world and last year I booked over 1000 holidays. The only limit to what I can do is your imagination.

If you'd like to find out how Michelle can make your next holiday extra special, pick up the phone and call her today on
0414 716 443.

Previous experience

35 years’ experience - Leisure, Corporate, Groups

Areas of specialty

All Destinations - not limited in my knowledge of the world, Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, Corporate Travel, School and Special Interest groups all part of my service

Awards
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    Platinum Advisor 

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About MTA - Mobile Travel Agents

First licensed in 1991, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents pioneered the work-from-home model nationally in Australia. With a network size providing unrivalled support, MTA Travel Experts are handpicked professionals, generally attaining more than 10 years industry experience with other major agency chains prior to joining the organisation. IATA, CLIA and Cruiseco accredited, MTA is proudly a foundation member of ATAS - a mark of industry quality. Appointed as Accredited Space Agent in 2006 by Sir Richard Branson, MTA is a member of AFTA, also Belmond and Virtuoso, both of which are exclusive 'by-invitation-only' global organisations comprising a handpicked number of travel agencies worldwide. MTA is an ethical business delivering on paid experience to leisure and business travellers.

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Connect with Michelle Tavli

Your MTA Luxury Travel Expert