Ariel is a local girl who started working at Kempsey Travel & Cruise in July 2017, after just graduating from Melville High School in 2016.

"I started this job with no previous experience in the Travel Industry, but a great team to teach me all there is with becoming a Travel Consultant. This career is now what I believe I will be undertaking for the rest of my life."

"Being able to make peoples' travel dreams become a reality is something I really love about my job. It's challenging but is very rewarding."

The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) recognise and reward excellence in the Australian Travel Industry, through a process of nomination, submissions, presentations and judging before the finalists attend the National Travel Industry Awards Gala Dinner, where the winners are announced.

"Agents aren't allowed to nominate each other for these awards, we have to be nominated by a supplier, so, getting that recognition as a regional agent, from a worldwide supplier, is quite amazing," Ariel said.

"The process then was to submit my answers to a list of questions as well as preparing a presentation to present infront of a panel of three judges. This presentation was held in Sydney last Thursday, 20 June, where I had to give a general overview of my career experience as well my contribution."

"I'm very honoured to be recognised for the efforts we put in here at the office and I'm happy that the passion I put towards my job has been seen."

Ariel was also nominated for the Rising Star Award last year through Helloworld, and said being recognised on a National Level is a great achievement.

Owner/Manager of Kempsey Travel & Cruise, Sue Gorman, said the team is very proud of Ariel.

"This nomination doesn't come from us, so it's nice for our industry to see the hard work she puts in as well as the way Ariel conducts herself instore and on working famils."

"It's also really good recognition for a small regional agency. Kempsey Travel & Cruise is Australia's longest standing accredited member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, currently sitting at 62 consecutive years" Sue said.

Ariel, along with the other finalists, will be attending the AFTA National Travel Industry Awards gala dinner in Sydney on Saturday July 20

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