HWT launches second GPO store

HWT launches second GPO store
By admin


Harvey World Travel will launch its second full service agency in a post office after being “very encouraged” by the success of its Brisbane trial.

The store will open tomorrow at Melbourne’s super store GPO in Bourke Street, four months after the retailer opened a branch in the GPO in the Queensland capital.
HWT managing director David Rivers said the Brisbane store, initially launched as a 12-month trial, has gone well. Fears of whether a post office was the right environment to sell holidays have not been realised, he added.
“We are very encouraged,” he told Travel Today. “I was a bit concerned about the different mix of business in terms of fast transactions and longer dwell time but that’s not proved to be an issue.
“We have had a high level of enquiries and the bookings are what you would see at any normal travel agency.
The US, UK and Europe have all sold as usual, he said.
As more people have become aware of the HWT store’s post office location, the more it has been regarded as just another HWT store. 
“Customers are prepared to spend time at the store. It has become another local travel agent,” Rivers said.
The Melbourne GPO branch will be company-operated, as opposed to a franchise, and managed and serviced by two full time agents, Kerry Fedele and Jason Crisp.
Rivers refused to be drawn on the possibility of more agencies in GPO super stores, although it would be a surprise if more don’t follow, assuming sales remain on target.
He would only say that HWT “values its relationship with Australia Post”.

Latest News

  • Cruise

Silversea sets sail on its 2025 World Cruise

Experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, Silversea, has set sail on its 2025 World Cruise, Controtempo, taking guests to 59 destinations over 136 days. The cruise set sail from Tokyo on 13 January and arrives in New York on 29 May 2025. Guests will experience many of the most iconic cities and off-the-beaten-path gems in […]

  • Hotels

Dusit International announces two new hotels in the Philippines

Thailand hotel and property development company Dusit International has strengthened its presence in the Philippines with two new hotels in Mindanao, set to open in late 2029. The company, represented in the Philippines by Dusit Thani Philippines Inc., has signed hotel management agreements with IDC Prime. IDC Prime is a wholly owned subsidiary of Italpinas […]

  • Destinations
  • Hotels

Elite Havens adds luxury new villa to its portfolio

Elite Havens, a premier luxury villa rental and management provider, has added a new villa to its existing portfolio of over 250 villas now available for rent in Phuket, Thailand. The Surin Seaview Villa is a three-storey hillside retreat nestled on the hills of Phuket’s beautiful west coast and offers breathtaking views of the Andaman […]

  • Destinations
  • Events

Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia

As the Lunar New Year approaches, various destinations around Asia have announced the different celebrations they have lined up. Fire show, live band, instrumentalists, and bartenders flair show The Anam Group’s two beachfront resorts in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne will celebrate the most significant time in the Vietnamese calendar, Tet, with a broad spectrum […]

  • Conferences

The Australian Tourism Exchange heads to Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 27 April

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 27 April to 1 May 2025. Tourism Australia requires all sellers attending the event to submit a front panel graphic with one image representing their business for marketing purposes at ATE25, while Destination NSW requires sellers to submit a […]

  • Appointments
  • News

New acting CEO of Destination NSW appointed

Karen Jones has commenced her role as Acting CEO of Destination NSW, taking the reins for an interim period of approximately six months. During this time, the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport will recruit for a permanent CEO. Jones brings over 27 years of leadership experience in state and local government. Most […]