Meet the 1000MTG travel expert - Dave

We had the pleasure of interviewing Dave and learning about his story of embarking on a career in travel and joining 1000 Mile Travel Group (1000MTG).

Dave is a seasoned traveler turned independent Travel Advisor passionate about crafting unforgettable experiences. Dave’s journey into the travel industry began in 2007, sparked by a serendipitous encounter over a $5 steak and a friend’s recommendation. With a keen eye for detail and a diverse portfolio, Dave specializes in family vacations, cruise travel, and meticulously crafted itineraries. His dedication to excellence is matched only by his commitment to continuous learning and personalized service. As a firm believer in the transformative power of travel, Dave cherishes the freedom of running his own business – from orchestrating dream vacations to being present for his family.

Read on to learn about Dave’s career journey to joining 1000MTG. If you are considering joining 1000MTG, learn what made him say yes.

Where did your travel career start and what attracted you to the industry?

My career started on January 27, 2007, at a large multinational travel agency. I tried several careers in my early twenties including superannuation/pensions and bar management while also studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Literature at the University of New South Wales. As a part of my degree, I traveled on a round-the-world trip centered around some tertiary study in the United Kingdom. After I finished university, I had no real career path set, but after a $5 Steak (remember when they were that price?) with a friend who worked in travel – Carly Morrison who now works at 1000MTG – on her advice, I decided to give it a go. My goal was to have a bit of fun and get some cheap travel and here I am 17 years later.

Before joining 1000MTG what was the catalyst for change?

I knew I loved organizing travel, but I was becoming increasingly frustrated with my career at a large company. The company instructed me on the travel providers I was permitted to book through. I concluded that this was not in the best interests of the customer. I found myself unable to provide the best options and service for my customers. I also had a young family, and my two children were about to start school. I was missing concerts, sporting matches, and important events.

What was it about 1000MTG that made you say yes?

Once I determined that my career needed to change, I spoke to a close personal friend – Kurt Hufer – who had recently made the move to 1000MTG. He advised me to do my due diligence so I spoke to three different host agencies and eventually decided on 1000MTG. The support level and camaraderie were too good to turn down. I was very attracted to the autonomy afforded to me. I could book what I wanted when I wanted, and I now had the time to sink my teeth into providing outstanding itineraries for my customers that would ensure they come back again and again and recommend me to their friends, family, and colleagues.

Tell us a little about your business, what is your niche?

I have an 80 percent leisure and 20 percent corporate mix. While it’s sometimes necessary, I am not interested in just providing flights. I pride myself on providing memorable experiences such as a roving opera evening in a palace in Venice, visiting tea plantations in India, or helicopters over Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. I have three major specialties.

1. Family travel (having an 8 & 6-year-old myself), with a special focus on theme parks – I can offer great advice on the complexities of booking a Disney or Universal holiday in each of their locations around the world.
2. Cruise Travel – I have been on 15+ cruises myself covering small river ships and large ocean liners and I can provide advice on the nuances of each cruise line on all routes. I am also a Virtuoso member, which means I have access to a myriad of cruise benefits not applicable to other advisers.
3. Constructing Itineraries – When customers have a bit of time and would like to see several destinations, I pride myself on curating a holiday using various means of transport, particularly rail, and including activities in each location.

What advice would you have for anyone considering becoming an independent Travel Advisor/Business Owner?

Spend a lot of time canvassing for a great accountant that understands the travel business. The less time you worry about the numbers, the more time you can build the best business possible. Never stop learning and ask every one of your customers for referrals every time you book them a holiday. Finally, ensure your turnaround time cannot be matched by traditional travel advisors.

What’s the best thing about running your own business?

The freedom to book what you want, when you want, and still manage to do the school run.

With the ability to work from anywhere, what has been your favourite remote working experience?

Getting the kids off to bed and sitting down with some English fish and chips and a glass of red wine in a cottage in Somerset (UK) with cows over the back fence and booking travel for my clients back in Sydney.

 

How has technology played a role in transforming the way you manage and organize your travel business?

The ability to work from anywhere has allowed me to take double the holidays I did in the past. My kids can see the world and that is what I’m most proud of.

As a part of 1000MTG, how has the community of travel experts supported and enriched your professional journey?

I am lucky that I had close personal friends as experts before I joined and more have joined since then. On top of that, there is no office politics with other 1000MTG experts and I have established firm professional and personal relationships with others. It’s easy to be collegiate with people in the exact same space as you.

What challenges have you faced in your travel career, and how has becoming an independent Travel Advisor helped you overcome them?

Like anyone in the industry, we have been through the ups and downs of the GFC, overseas wars, volcanoes, and of course COVID. When these events inevitably pop up, I never had the time to cultivate relationships with my customers. I now have the time to check in with them personally, whether on the phone or over a coffee. And I decide if this would be a good return on investment. Profit for shareholders no longer rules how I spend my time.

If there is one place in the world people should visit, where is it? And why should they visit?

Everyone, everywhere, should at one time in their life have a wonderful Italian meal in Venice with plenty of red wine and then wander through St Mark’s Square at about 11pm watching the night sky light up, listening to the orchestras – hopefully the Four Seasons by Vivaldi.

Find out more about Dave or book your next trip with him here.