By Carole Levy
After managing travel agencies for the past 16 years, Julie Edwards wanted to balance her passion for all things travel with spending more time with her school-age children. So Julie decided to put the demands of working standard retail hours behind her and launched Bucket List Travel and Cruise, a mobile travel agency.
As Julie puts it, she is a “travel broker”, who can meet clients at a time and place convenient for them, whether that be in their own home, a local coffee shop or her Ascot Vale home office.
“I take care of everything for my clients, researching all the best deals,” she says.
“I organise sight-seeing tours, car hire and travel insurance – my clients just get to relax and dream about their holidays.”
Bucket List Travel and Cruise is a fully accredited ATAS (AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme) agency, so you can rest assured that you are in the best of hands when dealing with Julie for your travel arrangements. In order to be an ATAS accredited agency, businesses are assessed by AFTA (Australian Federation of Travel Agents) and deemed to have met strict standards and criteria. Accreditation means they are the best in the industry, credible, well-trained and professional businesses.
“I also have access to all of the deals and specials offered by all of the top airlines, tour companies, hotels and resorts, car hire, rail, cruises, travel insurance and much more,” Julie explains.
“The best part about my business is the flexibility, which allows me to spend more time with my family, whilst also providing a more personalised service to my clients.
“Some people are happier to just call or email me with their travel plans; others prefer to meet in person. However the contact is made, I can help them every step of the way to make things go smoothly.
“No one wants hassles when they’re travelling. I’ve seen pretty well everything in my 16 years’ industry experience, so can advise and provide guidance on all aspects and my service comes with personal 24-hour emergency assistance.
“I specialise in customised travel, turning those once in a lifetime experiences into a reality is my passion, whilst also being able to offer my clients suggestions on things they may never have thought about to enhance their experience,” Julie says.
On top of her experience working in the industry, Julie’s travelled to more than 40 countries, with extensive travel around the USA, Canada, UK, Europe and Asia.
She has her own travel bucket list, and although she’s been on many adventures already, her list just keeps growing.
“I’ve been lucky enough to experience some amazing trips, but with every trip I tick off my list, I seem to find something or somewhere else to add to it,” she says. “That’s the thing about travel, it’s addictive! Many clients no sooner come back from one trip and they’re booking the next.”
While Julie is a sole operator at the moment, she has plans to give others working in travel the opportunity to do it her way.
“Experts can work from home, whilst providing a personalised service to their clients – and live their best lives.”
Call Julie at Bucket List Travel and Cruise on 0422 849 931; email info@bucketlisttravelandcruise.com.au; or visit bucketlisttravelandcruise.com.au
