Company Profile
We have been successfully operating as an international tour wholesaler since April 1979. The business is wholly owned by its directors, Ian Garritt, David King and Robert Mackay.
Holiday Connect provides quality, individualised and tailormade holidays to the following destinations:
We have a proven track record with travel agents, of being friendlier, more flexible, more approachable and more versatile. This is due to the high quality of our travel products, the autonomy of our local reservations and operations facilities, and the consistently high level of service offered to travel agents and to the travelling public by our expert and friendly staff.
Our Technological Advantage
Our
internal computer system, 'VENTANA', controls world-wide room inventory, whilst
at the same time operating sophisticated tour costings, reservations and back up
accounting. It also links with our Internet Based travel agent quoting and
booking system, VNet®. Airline access is provided by the Sabre Central
Reservation System.
Our
Depth of Experience
Many
of our staff, in all areas of the business, have been with us for more than ten
years, and this experience can never be underestimated. We also have a
specialised and very successful team dedicated to developing & operating
incentive and special interest groups, conferences and conventions for both
domestic and international departures.
Industry Recognition
We
are proud that Brian King was the recipient of the inaugural AFTA 'Chairman's
Award', in recognition of his significant contribution to the travel industry
since 1948.
The Directors
Ian Garritt - Managing Director
Ian
commenced his wholesale travel industry career in the UK in the late 1960's, working his way up
to Hotel Contracts Manager for one of the largest UK air charter tour wholesalers, operating package
holidays to Spain, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Romania & Bulgaria. Ian moved to Australia in 1973,
settling in Adelaide, where he continued in tour wholesaling & hotel contracting, but this time to
South East Asia, whilst also gaining experience in EDP systems development and retail travel
agency management. Ian came on board in 1991 as General Manager, becoming an equity partner in the
company and Managing Director in July 1992. Amongst his other duties, Ian is responsible for product
contracting in Thailand, Bali & Indochina. Ian has served as State Chairman of the Australian
Federation of Travel Agents for two terms.
David King - Director - Finance & Administration
David
is a Chartered Accountant, and came to the company in 1990 with 15 years
experience in tax, audit and client accounting, gained at Price Waterhouse and
KPMG. As well as providing strategic direction for the company, he is
responsible for all financial and administrative matters.
Robert Mackay - Director & General Manager
Robert
joined the company in July 2007 and has over 35 years experience in all aspects of the travel industry,
including state tourism, inbound tourism, airline & hotel representation and tour wholesaling.
Robert has worked with Tourism Tasmania, Qantas Holidays, Key Rep International, Metro Holidays,
Transglobal Tours and Adventure World. Before joining us, Robert was General Manager of Adventure World,
a position which he held for 8 years. Robert is responsible for the day to day operations of the company
and in addition, acts as company Product Manager for Hong Kong, China and Singapore.
Brian King - Founder
Brian
has been in the travel industry since 1948, and has been involved in all aspects
of the trade including retail development, wholesale package tours, inbound
operations into Australia, including supervision of offices in Tokyo and Los
Angeles, and arranging and handling of conventions and incentive groups. Brian
opened the office in Adelaide in 1979, and was responsible for its early
development. Brian now work part time at home and at the office, and attends
management and directors' meetings.
Key Personnel
Graham Lang - Operations Manager
Graham
has been with us since 1990, having moved from Port Lincoln, where he gained 4
years experience in a national retail agency. Previously Graham was involved for
more than 8 years in the finance and banking industry. Committed to quality
service, Graham is responsible for the operation of the reservations team, which
deals with all aspects of reservations from initial quoting to the final
documentation as well as the operations team responsible for data entry and brochure
production. Graham has been involved with the development of
the in-house reservation system and is also the product manager for Malaysia & Canada.
Anita Power - Sales & Marketing Manager
Anita
joined the company in January 2005 and has over 25 years experience in the travel
industry in various operational, sales and marketing positions. Anita has worked
with Venture Holidays Melbourne, I-xplore, Creative Holidays and Jetset where she was
state manager before taking maternity leave. Anita is working with specialist travel
agents to establish the Holiday Connect brand in the Victorian marketplace and
beyond.
Eugene Gulin - Groups Manager
Eugene
commenced with us in 1995, overseeing the group and MICE departures. He brought
with him 24 years experience in sales and customer service.
Eugene has a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of group and convention
travel. He is responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of the groups
department, conducting group seminars, maintaining longstanding relationships
with agents, ground operators, hotels and airlines, as well as the preparation
and development of group and MICE product.
The Staff
Our people are the focal point of the organisation, providing an unsurpassed level of personal service to the travel agent and to the travelling public. They are all committed to ensuring that every holiday goes smoothly.
For further information on Holiday Connect Products
Please contact:
Travel Agents Reservations:1300 883 325
Holiday Connect
Level 5, 41 Currie Street,
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Australia
Tel: (08) 8238 4511 Int'l 618 8238 4511
Fax: (08) 8211 7393 Int'l 618 8211 7393
E-Mail: mail@holidayconnect.com.au
Clenton Pty Ltd Trading as Holiday Connect ACN 007 628 048 Lic. No. TTA68
