Avis Travel Agent Scholarship

Avis is proud to announce Melanie Whyte, from Travel Managers in Devonport, Tasmania, as the winner of the Avis Travel Agent Scholarship 2019. Congratulations to all of the finalists and thank you to our sponsors of this year’s event.

Melanie has been named the winner out of five finalists selected from across Australia and New Zealand for demonstrating a consistently high quality of customer service and innovation in her work while keeping sustainability at the heart of her approach.

Whyte, who has been a finalist for the Scholarship in previous years, specifically impressed judges with her passion and loyalty to her clients, as well as her proven experience in providing outstanding holiday experiences for families with children who have special needs. She was officially awarded the Avis Scholarship at the Gala Dinner at the Park Hyatt following a presentation to the judging panel of industry professionals.

As the scholarship winner, Melanie received prizes valued at $35,000 for winning the Scholarship, with one of the highlights including two Qantas business class travel tickets to an industry conference of her choice within the Asia-Pacific region. She will also receive professional coaching and profiling for one year from Right Path, industry training opportunities, and Cruise 365 Conference tickets, courtesy of Cruise Lines International Association Australasia (CLIAA). 

We would like to congratulate the other finalists on their accomplishment in making it to the final round of the Scholarship. They have all been commended for their presentations and commitment to customer service. 

• Natalie Morgan, Phil Hoffman Travel
• Jen Lloyd, Savenio
• Ben Ogden, CWT
• Charlotte Chalman, House of Travel NZ

The Avis Travel Agent Scholarship is entering its 23rd year of celebrating and rewarding outstanding customer service in the travel industry across Australia and New Zealand. Over the course of its history, the award has developed into one of the most valuable and prestigious accolades offered to professionals in the industry.

The Avis Travel Agent Scholarship is designed to be rigorous, transparent and impartial process that explores extraordinary customer service in the travel sector. It is a program that Avis will be excited to continue in 2020.