How you can help restore Toowoomba’s travel industry

A TOOWOOMBA travel agency director is looking to the future, following a “heartbreaking” and “stressful” year.

Helloworld Travel Toowoomba Ridge and Helloworld Travel Dalby owner Katanya Sander said it had been a challenging time for travel, with many agents having to “learn their jobs backwards”.

“I think at the start we thought that it might be a little bit of a blip in the radar,” Mrs Sander said.

“(At that point) we were moving departure dates thinking it would be fine.

“Unfortunately we realised quickly that that wasn’t going to be the case.”

With many businesses shutting up shop as COVID-19 cases climbed, Mrs Sander and her employees endeavoured to support their customers.

“We were trading from the Ridge with our doors closed when restrictions were at their highest,” Mrs Sander said.

“It was important that our clients felt they could still call us and email us.

“We’ve been busy working through refunding, crediting and moving departure dates where we can.”

With the travel industry still reeling from the impacts of the pandemic, Mrs Sander said she was trying to remain positive.

“It was, and still is to this day, very stressful – we’ve lost 100 per cent of our business,” she said.

“We’re really lucky in that we have a great team and great clients.”

The team has recently moved from the Ridge Shopping Centre to a new site at 256 Bridge St and has turned its focus to domestic travel.

“We’re starting to see some positive green shoots, which is really exciting,” Mrs Sander said.

“Our borders are opening to Tasmania, we are already open to South Australia, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island and we have some beautiful destinations in Queensland.

“We’ve got some really good deals, which people can experience individually or in the comfort of a small group.

“If on a small group tour, they’re with a tour guide following COVID regulations and if something doesn’t go to plan they have someone who knows what the next step will be.”

Ultimately, the recovery of this important industry rests in the hands of the public.

“We’re just relying on people to remember to book locally and support local businesses,” Mrs Sander said.

For bookings, contact Helloworld Travel Toowoomba Ridge at [phone].