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"People with great passion make the impossible happen - Anonymous"

JOHN BACKHOUSE - Northland Region

INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ADVISOR

With over 58 years of experience, I have worked and owned a travel business which has provided me with a sound understanding of various segments of this specialised industry.  Being an Independent Travel Advisor has provided me with the ability to service my clients to the highest level whilst providing the flexibility to work with my customers hours & requirements.

I am NZQA & TAANZ qualified, have various management training courses and the in-depth training I received over the past 50 years along with personal indemnity insurance and the knowledge that all funds are being handled via a Trust account provides clients with the reassurance they are working with a travel professional and that their funds are safe.

My key advantages are:-

1. Working with great clients and meeting their needs and creating custom itineraries
2. Working my own hours to suit clients and personal requirements
3. Being a preferred broker enables me to access the preferred product and deals for my customers
4. I have a strong repeat and referral client base, which has now seen me working with the third generation in some of those existing families, which is great.
5. Having a wealth of first have travel experience, as well as knowledge, has often seen my clients follow my personal travel journeys and then add these to their own travel bucket lists. Here I’m able to provide tailor-made itineraries and provide insiders tips and tricks for them also
6. I’m actively involved in many different facets of the local community from 35 years in Rotary; Outdoor & Indoor Bowls; Local Travel Club’s; Chamber of Commerce, BNI (Business Network International.  This has given me the all-around knowledge to assist and understand my client's requirements

I have been fortunate over the years to have visited many countries; the only continent I have not visited (yet) is South America. I have travelled extensively to the States, Australia, Bali, Singapore and Hong Kong many times; Japan; Cruised, Railed & Toured from London to Turkey; United Kingdom; Spain and Northern Africa.  Tour Guided an All Blacks supporter’s Tour to South Africa & to the Welsh Centennial as well a Group Tours to North America,  Mexico to name a few and I still have destinations on my Bucket List.

My main passion in recent years is a love of cruising, which has taken me into various regions from the Marlborough sounds, South Pacific, Tahitian Islands, Coastal Australia, many times ex Singapore into Malaysia; Fijian Islands, River Cruising in Europe Amsterdam, Budapest.

Life is to be enjoyed and after 58 years I still enjoy getting up each morning and “Talking Travel” and look forward to assisting with your next journey.