Have you ever wondered what inspires someone to make travel not just a passion, but a profession?

For Peta Godfrey, owner of Travel Focus Group in Gerringong, it all started with a spontaneous snowboarding trip to Austria at age 16, a decision that would shape her entire future.

Q: What was the main reason you became a travel agent?

A: It all started in 1997 when my best friend asked me to go snowboarding in Austria. I had just started Year 11, but a trip to Europe seemed far more important. My parents were incredibly supportive, and I took six weeks off school.

Being in Europe at 16 was incredible, especially discovering there was no legal drinking age in Austria!

When I returned, I walked straight into an English exam. Knowing I had no chance of passing, I made a bold decision: I left school, enrolled in a travel course, and have never looked back.

Q: What are the main changes you’ve noticed in the industry?

A: I caught the tail end of paper tickets, with my trusty red pen in hand. The shift to e-tickets was exciting, but the biggest changes have come in the last three years, thanks to COVID-19, Travel 2.0!

What kept me going was our community. Loyal clients would stop me in the street to ask when we’d reopen, or if I could book their next trip. That support reminded me why I started in this industry.

Q: Do you think travel agents are more important now than ever?

A: Absolutely! Clients find the internet overwhelming. There is too much information and too many scams. Travel agents are the solution, and we’re busier than ever.

At Travel Focus Group, we’ve seen a huge rise in demand. To keep up, we’ve expanded our team and brought on some fantastic new staff. They’re already working closely with clients to plan, refine, and book travel that’s seamless and personal.

Q: Is travel still a great career to pursue?

A: For anyone with a true passion for travel, it’s absolutely worth it. The perks are fantastic, and the camaraderie is like nothing else. Helping people bring their travel dreams to life is so rewarding. We love it when clients come in after a trip and relive their journey with us!

Q: What’s left on the bucket list?

A: As many African countries as possible … plus, a sneaky trip to Antarctica!

Want to see what expert travel planning feels like? Chat to one of the experienced Travel Focus advisors.

This article is paid content courtesy of Travel Focus in Gerringong