A bit about us – Spacifica Travel

Back row from left to right: Christie Gowan, Renae Loro, Mandy Bishop, Cassandra Marshall, Amanda Barrett, Mathew Christian-Bailey.

Front row from left to right: Belinda Golinski, Lyn Perrett, Alice Sihamau, Joanne Howard, Kathleen Johnston.

Absent: Hayley Hall, Mary Johnston, Matthew Howe.

A Bit about our Team

Matthew  - Reservations Consultant
Matt joined us just under a year ago with back ground in retail and corporate travel. Matt enjoys speaking to a range of clients and likes sharing a laughs with his colleagues 
Specialising in: Norfolk Island, Niue & Fiji 
Length of Time in the Tourism Industry: 7 years
Length of time with Spacifica Travel:  8 months
Favourite Destination: Fiji- the relaxed atmosphere and the you are always made to feel at home.
Favourite Tour: Progressive Dinner- Norfolk Island. It’s a great way to meet some locals and experience exceptional local food.
Favourite Pacific food or drink: Bounty Rum - traditional fijian rum to finish off the day!
You can’t go on holidays without...? A good travelling companion.
Something surprising about the Pacific: Norfolk Island is NOT just for the newlyweds and nearly deads... but anyone and everyone can have such a great experience there.
Why is working at Spacifica Travel enjoyable: Being a small team we don’t treat our clients like another number. We can offer them a more personalised service.

Amanda – Reservations Consultant 
Amanda came to us straight after finishing her tourism studies. She has recently moved up the ranks from Part-time Junior Reservations Consultant to Full time Reservations Consultant.
Specialising in: Norfolk Island & Fiji 
Length of Time in the Tourism Industry:  6 Months 
Length of time with Spacifica Travel:  6 Months 
Favourite Destination: Fiji – Such a relaxing, calm feel to this destination and the outer islands are breathtaking.   
Favourite Tour: Norfolk Islands’ Night As a Convict Tour –An VERY entertaining night. 
Favourite Pacific food or drink: Norfolk Island’s Coconut Bread –you have to try it!
You can’t go on holidays without...? My  Camera – Cant go a day on holidays without a few souvenir happy snaps. 
Something surprising about the Pacific: That while all the islands in the pacific are truly stunning, they all have such a different vibe: from family friendly to romantic adults only and everything in between, and the best part is that all the pacific islands are only a few hours flight from Australia. 
Why is working at Spacifica Travel enjoyable: Because I am able to provide our customers with a holiday that I know they will remember for a lifetime!

Mandy - Groups Consultant
Mandy has been with the company since the beginning and has recently moved into a full time groups’ role booking in clients from all over Australia on excellent group tours to the Pacific.
Specialising in: Cook Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Norfolk Islands & Lord Howe Island
Length of Time in the Tourism Industry:  5 years
Length of time with Spacifica Travel:  5 years
Favourite Destination: Aitutkai Cook Islands  – Absolutely amazing – the fishing, snorkelling and diving in the most pristine, clear water. Anyone that goes to the Cook Islands must go out to Aitutaki to visit the lagoon – even if it’s for a day trip.  
Favourite Tour: Coongoola Full Day Cruise in Vanuatu – During the cruise we got to visit a turtle conversation area and I got to release a turtle back into the wild. It was an absolutely spectacular day and I would highly recommend it to any visitor to Vanuatu.
Favourite Pacific food or drink: Ika mata – fish cooked in coconut milk and lemon juice – served all over the Pacific.
You can’t go on holidays without...? Hair straightener and lip balm.
Something surprising about the Pacific: : How blue and crystal clear the water is. It really is just like the postcards. 
Why is working at Spacifica Travel enjoyable: Working with my clients to create fun and creative group holidays to such wonderful destinations.

Belle – Reservations & Product Consultant 
Belle previously worked for the company for 4 ½ years and had since been back for 1 ½ years. Not only does Belle work in reservations and product, but she also volunteers as our social coordinator to make sure we enjoy ourselves in the workplace.
Specialist: Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island & Vanuatu
Length of Time in the Industry:  12 years
Length of time at Spacifica Travel: 1.5 years
Favourite Destination: Norfolk Island – I have visited the island 9 times, as it is a beautiful destination and a great place to visit to get away from the ‘rat race’.
Favourite Tour: Norfolk Island’s Fish Fry – it is an enjoyable activity as there is delicious food and great entertainment
Favourite Pacific food or drink: Pilihai (baked ripe banana)
You can’t go on holidays without...? Good walking shoes
Something surprising about the Pacific: How friendly the locals are in Vanuatu. They are such a lovely race of people.
Why is working at Spacifica Travel enjoyable: Because I am able to help clients to organise a fantastic holiday as well as working with a great team of people

Cassie – Product and Marketing Coordinator 
Cassie joined the company just over a year ago with a background as a retail travel agent. Cassie is a great asset to the organisation and even does the coffee run in the mornings.
Specialist: Norfolk Island, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Fiji
Length of Time in the Tourism Industry: 5 years 
Length of time here: 1 year
Favourite Destination: Vanuatu – I have never experienced such kind and peaceful people with such a rich culture. It truly is the untouched paradise.
Favourite Tour: Tanna Volcano, Vanuatu. – WHOA! Like nothing I have ever seen before.
Favourite Pacific food or drink: A Umu (underground earth oven) in the Cook Islands. The raw meats or fish and vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves and place under the coals to cook. The experience of the preparing as well as the cooking and eating must be experienced.
You can’t go on holidays without...? Wide brimmed hat and IPod.
Something surprising about the Pacific: That you can have an amazing, fun and memorable holiday no matter what your budget is. The Pacific has something for everyone in every price range.
Why is working at Spacifica Travel enjoyable: Working with such a great, small team of people as well as researching interesting and exciting product from around the pacific to sell to our clients to ensure that have a unique experience while on holidays.

Kathleen – Product and Marketing Manager
Kathleen has been with the company for just over a year as the Product and Marketing Manager. Kathleen joins the team with a wealth of knowledge and experience from over 8 years in the industry.
Length of Time in the Tourism Industry: 8 years
Length of time at Spacifica Travel: 1 year and a half
Favourite Destination: Norfolk island because you arrive as a tourist and leave as a friend!
Favourite Tour: Aitutaki Lagoon Day Cruise, Cook Islands. Try to put yourself in this picture…perfect sunny day, a warm welcome….360 degree view of crystal clear blue water…white sandy beach…great snorkelling…fantastic local food plus entertainment & all you have to worry about is nothing as everything is planned to ensure you have a truly magical day!
Favourite Pacific food or drink: My favourite drink would have to be a fresh coconut juice, preferably served in a coconut and not a glass. This is a great way to quench your thirst on a hot sunny day!
You can’t go on holidays without...? My swimsuit. Can’t go to an island paradise without your togs.
Something surprising about the Pacific: The Norfolk Island Wave…You can be guaranteed to experience the Norfolk Wave as you drive by in your car.
Why is working at Spacifica Travel enjoyable: Everyone works as a team to ensure that we provide our customers with the best knowledge, service and above all a truly memorable holiday! 

Jo Howard – National Sales
We were lucky enough to have Jo in our team for nearly three years, bringing a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience and a mother’s instinct!
Length of Time in the Tourism Industry: 20 years !!! give or take a few years occupied by  kiddies in between...
Length of time here: 2 ½ years
Favourite Destination and why: Cook Islands -  One of the most stunning, relaxing destinations I have ever been – something for everyone here.
Favourite Tour and why: Aitutaki Lagoon Cruise – One Foot Island:   This is one of the most breathtaking days and who would have thought that I could have a foot stamped in my passport!
Favourite Pacific food or drink: Coconut Bread – Norfolk Island  (delicious)
Item that you can’t do without on holidays: Sense of Adventure – who knows what you may discover! And Sunscreen..
Something that surprised you about The Pacific: Endless activities available on Norfolk Island, every day is different and a week is just not long enough.
Why is working at  Spacifica Travel enjoyable: It is one big Tropical Paradise!