Day 2 of MTA Fiji conference had winners, grinners and a bit of speed dating

  • Roman from Viking goes through options.
  • Speed dating for travel agents.
  • Total Holiday Options ceratinly stood out from the crowd.
  • Speed dating for travel agents. The crew of The Travel Corporation at the showcase.
  • Wendy Brockbank, winner of the MTA Spirit Award.
  • All 50-plus MTA staff all travelled to Fiji in support of the conference and to keep the wheels turning.
  • Brent Hills Tourism Fiji goes through the numbers, with the aim to hit 1 million visitors by 2027.
  • Best Business Initiative award winner Beth Betland with Karen and Roy Merricks.
  • MC and MTA Ambassador Jessica Watson with Wendy and Roy Merricks.
  • MTA Spirit award winner Wendy Brockman with Karen and Roy Merricks.
  • And the winner is ...
  • Smile for the camera.
  • More lucky prize winners Day2
  • Lucky prize winners Day 2.
  • Whats this all about.
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By Grant Jones


The second day of the Mobile Travel Association Conference in Fiji had winners, grinners and a bit of speed dating on offer for the 300-plus MTA members.

All 57-plus MTA staff also all travelled to Fiji in support of the conference and to keep the wheels turning back home.

In what could be called speed dating for travel agents, a vast meeting room gave agents just a few minutes to chat about options from suppliers which included everyone from the crew of The Travel Corporation to Total Holiday Options which certainly stood out from the crowd in their bright orange and vivid blue. When their time was over, the agents moved on to their next target. The concept has proved popular in the past, so why change it?

The showcase was followed by lunch at the Sheraton then an awards ceremony with the main prizes going to Beth Betland winner the MTA Best Business Initiative award; the MTA Spirit Award, as voted by Karen and Roy Merricks and CEO Don Beattie, going to Wendy Brockbank; and outstanding Contribution Head Office to Rhona Rogers, who was unable to attend.

There were plenty of other prize winners to, with a total of 42 lucky winners’ name pulled from a hat by Karen Merricks. Some travel prizes were valued as much as $30,000!

A Sheraton buffet lunch followed the awards, then there were two options: The Amazing Fiji Quest where competitors completed as teams in an Amazing Race style competition, that possibly included cocktails.

The alternative was the Community Challenge, where around 50 MTA representatives visited Sabeto District School, presenting donations from the wider MTA community and engaging with children through song and games, and experiencing the pure joy it brings to the children’s faces.

Travel Weekly was there and will be providing a report soon.

Feature image: Total Holiday Options certainly stood out from the crowd.

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