Greece and Mediterranean Travel Centre’s md, Halina Kubica, took the opportunity to launch a new initiative – #WhyIDontDIYTravel Campaign – at the 37th annual Greek Festival in Sydney last weekend, and it’s a campaign that gets a big thumbs up from AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury.
Halina created the campaign, and an accompanying agent and consumer competition, to promote the benefits of booking travel with an agent over diy travel.
“I’m passionate about the talent we have in the travel industry, and I firmly believe that the expertise of a travel agent cannot be replicated or replaced by online booking systems,” Halina says. “#WhyIDontDIYTravel is ultimately a celebration of enjoying each trip to the fullest, and that can only be achieved when booking with an ATAS accredited travel agent.”
Halina wants the campaign to highlight the serious issues that can arise when booking travel independently. The campaign also emphasises the cost savings that can be found by working with a travel agent – a fact that often comes as a surprise to consumers, who assume that DIY online booking will garner the best prices.
“I commend Halina and her team on embracing the ATAS Accreditation scheme,” says Jayson Westbury,”and this is a great demonstration [of] how the industry can play a significant role in further endorsing the importance of dealing with a credible and professional agent.”
Agents and consumers can enter the #WhyIDontDIYTravel competition, by demonstrating why travellers shouldn’t DIY. The most creative post will win two nights in a four-star hotel in Greece, followed by a three- night voyage with Celestyal Cruises. There are also daily prizes to be won.
To enter, participants simply post their entries on Instagram, tagging @greecemedtravel.com.au and using the hashtag #WhyIDontDIYTravel.
Entries can be a variety or combination of media; written, photos or video, but note that accounts must be set to public for an entry to be accepted.
The #WhyIDontDIYTravel competition will run until 31 March 2019.
IMAGE: @ the 37th Greek Festival in Sydney, Greece and Mediterranean Travel Centre’s Trish Loukis and Alex Karakos
