Kim Mason

I want my clients to relax from the planning stage through to returning from their holiday, and I do everything I can for things to go smoothly. I have helped clients re-route last minute, and made travel arrangements in German and Italian. Travel should be no worries and I don't like clients to see me sweat-- I save it for triathlons. I completed the Australian Ironman Triathlon at Forster twice and competed in the Olympic Distance Triathlon World Championships, 2007. Like the gratifying challenge of a triathlon, training to be a good travel agent is ongoing. I began with hospitality management-- running a bed and breakfast in the Swiss alps and managing a bar and restaurant at a Sydney hotel. I went to the University of New South Wales for my Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Hospitality Management, and also got a TAFE Diploma in Travel and Tourism. My clients inspire me with their generous testimonials and support for the awards I’ve won: the Number 1 Consultant at  a Major retail chain, a Top Ten Award from TravelManagers, and a nomination for Travel Weekly’s Best Travel Consultant- Pacific Islands, 2009. I like to give back to the local community and am a sponsor of CronullaTriathlon Club.

I am also CLIA Accredited and as of 2013, Travelmanagers has now developed a new brand CruiseManagers.

So what does this mean for you? It means I can offer a range of unique product, exclusive cruise charters and competitively priced cruise deals that are not available through most travel agencies. And, with access to about 90% of world cruise product, you will receive special offers and availability released by the majority of cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Holland America Line, Cunard, P&O, Carnival and Regent Seven Seas – just to name a few.

• Travel planning and itinerary Creation


• Flight and accommodation reservations ( Domestic and international)


• Car Leasing and Rental including Motorhome and Scooter Rental


• Cruising – Domestically and Abroad (Cruisemanagers - Member of Cruiseco)


• Rail products- Domestically and internationally


• Coach touring


• Day tours, sightseeing passes


• Adventure travel


• Travelex Cash Passport


• Visa processing service


• Qantas Frequent Flyer Bookings and upgrades


• Bridal Registries


• Sports tickets- eg Baseball, Grid Iron


• Ski Holidays


• Tri Travel Triathlon Tour packages.


• Conferences


• Group Travel


• Gift Certificates 

I do all I can to give the most sincere and informed advice possible. After their trips clients give me suggestions, and I continuously research and pour over travel guides. I frequently go on educationals--from Botswana to Las Vegas to Bali. Cruises, Club Med, Contiki tours... and have done many of the itineraries I set out for others. I aim to simplify things and be a one-stop shop. My clients seem to appreciate it because many have been with me for over a decade. 

I guess you can say I also specialize in dealing with disaster. My funniest story is probably about a client who phoned because he forgot his passport and was going to be late for his flight. I immediately called the check-in desk and alerted them that he would be late (past close). The client made the flight!

Tourist Activities

From adrenalin pumpers like bungee, rafting, and paragliding in Europe, to eco experiences like the Sepilok Orangutan Visit in Sabah, I have found a lot of wonderful activities to recommend for my clients. I enjoyed the thrill of a 112m bungee jump in Zimbabwe, Zorbing and Free Fall Extreme in NZ and Tully River Rafting in Cairns. I've sampled more mellow pleasures as well--American classics like a Yankees baseball game and an NBC studio tour, and quiet ways to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of nature such as ballooning in Alice springs or taking a Camel ride near Ayres Rock.

Some Favourites

Hiking in the Swiss Alps. All the trails are marked, the air is so fresh and the countryside inspiring. In winter, take a sled for the downhill sections! 

For the adrenalin, try Zorbing in Rotorua NZ. Ironman Triathlon Events and Cycling Events! I am also an avid snowboarder.

Particularly Aware Of:

I have 2 young children and traveled to many overseas and domestic destinations as a family, so I can offer new parents advice on travelling overseas with infants and young children.

I also partake in Triathlon and take my gear most places, so I know what Triathletes need when they travel—excess luggage, leg room, bigger cars, etc.

Europe 

• London (Resided in London for 6 months), Gloucestershire, Cornwall.


• Dublin 


• Paris, Barcelona, Antibes, Monaco, Florence, Genoa, Rome, Pompeii, Milan, Pavia, 


• Switzerland – (Resided in Interlaken for 12 months)


• Germany – Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Lubec


• Amsterdam 


• Corfu 


• Prague

USA 

• Los Angeles and Santa Monica


• San Fransisco


• Las Vegas 


• New York 


• Arizona 


• San Diego 


• Hawaii- Oahu, Maui and Big Island “Kona”

Canada 

• Vancouver 


• Whistler


• Quebec 


• Montreal 


• Toronto


• Niagara Falls 


• Alaska and Inside Passage Cruise

South Pacific

• Fiji


• Samoa 


• Vanuatu 


• New Zealand - Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua, Waitomo Caves, Christchurch, Queenstown. 

Australia 

Gold Coast Area, Cairns, Port Douglas, Hamilton Island, Sunshine Coast  (Noosa, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore), Adelaide, Perth, Busselton, Margaret River, Uluru Alice Springs, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road.

 Asia 

• Korea – Jeju Island 


• Bali 


• Singapore 


• Hong Kong 


• Vietnam – Hanoi


• Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur and Sabah (incl East coast Turtle island)

Africa

• Johannesburg 


• Zimbabwe 


• Botswana

Ski Resorts

• Thredbo


• Perisher


• Mammoth Mountain USA


• Whistler


• Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, Schiltorn, Grindelwald


• Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak, Remarkables, Treble Cone, Cardrona

Cruise Ships I have experience:

• Radiance of the Seas


• Carnival Spirit


• Carnival Splendour


• Seven Seas Voyager


• Celebrity Century


• Pacific Pearl


• Holland America Volendam


• Pacific Jewel


• Sun Princess


• Pacific Dawn