Travel Counsellors Australia’s fun two-week virtual challenge, designed to encourage community engagement and lift the spirits of Travel Counsellors dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, has concluded with teams enthusiastically sharing pre-recorded videos and photos of their activities on the weekly digital ‘TCTV’ program.
The TC Community Cup invited Travel Counsellors to complete activities and challenges in groups, each led by a team leader. Held virtually, teams selected two activities each week to complete together such as sharing favourite cocktail recipes, hosting themed video calls, sharing hobbies and skills, and cook-alongs with travel-inspired recipes.
“The travel agent community has been severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic and the mental wellbeing of our Travel Counsellors has been our primary focus,” said Regional managing director, Kaylene Shuttlewood.
“Launching a fun challenge like the TC Community Cup gives our agents the opportunity to connect with their fellow Travel Counsellors and engage in activities for a well-needed laugh.”
Travel Counsellor and team leader Susan Burns said; “We valued the chance to keep in touch with other Travel Counsellors and enjoyed the comradery with the other teams,” while Travel Counsellor Kerrie Croft commented “I really valued the break from reality. Having the Community Cup allowed us to forget the serious effects of the pandemic and let us have fun for a change.”
Travel Counsellors has also recognised the importance of wellbeing and mental health during what is a stressful period for many in the travel industry. To help both agents and staff, the company had arranged five virtual weekly group sessions facilitated by their own in-house counsellor, Monika Polemicos, a Melbourne-based professional psychotherapist.
These sessions focused on key areas of wellbeing and anxiety by providing the tools and information to deal with day-to-day stressors. Sessions covering self-care practices, guided meditation, the Havening technique and therapy resources and tools to use at home.
IMAGE: TC Community Cup(L-R) top to bottom – Susan Burns; Cheryl Andrews; Donna Jones; Glenda Carter; Andrew Turner; Christine Balch; Andrea Elias
