Our Sales Team

SHARON HANDO – Director of Sales

Sharon Hando, our Director of Sales at Travel the World, works tirelessly with our dedicated sales team to increase awareness, drive sales and deliver opportunities for our Travel Service Provider brands, as well as for our other key cruise line partners.

Sharon has been a key member of the team that has worked diligently to build business for our GSA brands such as Holland America Line and Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions.  The great success of these efforts resulted in the cruise lines opening their own Australian offices.

Growing up within the industry (starting as “free labour” in her mother’s agency) has provided Sharon with many opportunities to combine her genuine interest in people and their travel dreams with her own travel experiences and knowledge.  It is this passion and experience that has assisted with the fulfilment of her current role and its varying responsibilities.

T: 0411 595 300 E: sharonh@traveltheworld.com.au

RACHEL JAVIER – Sales Manager (VIC/SA/TAS/NT)

Rachel started in the travel industry in 1982 as a Junior Allotment Clerk for one of Australia’s top wholesalers.  For over 17 years she worked her way up through the ranks, from Reservations to Product, Operations and finally becoming State Manager.

Rachel has been fortunate enough to have worked for many of the major Australian wholesalers in addition to Qantas Airlines.  After an extended maternity leave, Rachel joined Travel the World – Australia’s leading Travel Service Provider – in October 2011 to continue sharing her passion for travel and she has never looked back.

Representing premium brands in the TTW portfolio, along with a key partnership with Ponant, Rachel’s love for her position as Sales Manager VIC/TAS/NT can be seen in her dedication to go above and beyond.  She takes pride in exceeding expectations and providing exceptional customer service by both educating and assisting Travel Advisors with their clients’ travel journeys.

T: 0414 601 744 E: rachelj@traveltheworld.com.au

CLARE WHEELER-SMITH – Sales Manager (NSW/WA)

Many industry colleagues might know Clare Wheeler-Smith from her Insight Tours days…aka ‘the good old days’!

Following Insight, Clare took a break from industry whilst raising her daughter, Sarah, and during those years also enjoyed being a Travel and Tourism teacher at TAFE in Bankstown and Ultimo.  Whilst teaching was a great role for a mum, Clare missed the travel industry and returned in 2010 to work with Julie Denovan Marketing representing numerous luxury products such as SeaDream Yacht Club, The Esprit Saint Germain and the Ritz London.

Keen for a new challenge, whilst staying in the luxury travel market, Clare welcomed an opportunity to join the Travel the World sales team in 2018.  She loves the variety of representing the best of the best in land tours, cruises and resorts.

T: 0420 313 769 E: clarews@traveltheworld.com.au

JUSTIN SOUTHERN – Business Development Manager (VIC/NSW)

Justin Southern’s first role in the travel industry was with Flight Centre in North Sydney. After five years, His hometown of Canberra was calling, and he was offered a role with Harvey World Travel. It wasn’t too long before Justin moved into a Wholesale BDM role with Escape Holidays, which then became Harvey’s Choice Holidays as National Sales Manager.

In 2001, Justin started working for United Airlines as the Victorian Sales Manager for a period of 8 years. This was then followed by the role of State Sales Manager for Travelcube, an online hotel booking system for the trade. Justin’s passion for his role and the industry was shown when he became one of three finalists in the 2015 NTIA awards. His enthusiasm for each of the roles Justin has held was rewarded when he was offered the role of Sale Manager for Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic. Now his love for photography and wildlife became a full-time role that he lived and breathed.

Always keen on a new challenge but only one that he could be passionate about has led him to Travel the World and Virgin Voyages. To work with such an experienced team at Travel the World and represent a new brand coming to market is something Justin does not take for granted and he looks forward to all the challenges this role will bring.

T: 0451 246 747 E: justins@traveltheworld.com.au

ROBERT SHAW – Business Development Manager (Windstar)

Robert’s career in the travel industry begin in 1999 when he began working for Aviation Ground Handling looking after the check-in and load control for Sunstate Airlines in Rockhampton.  His experience and dedication to the industry landed him a contract role at Brisbane domestic airport with Sunstate Airlines in the Customer Service team thereafter, before gaining more experience in the retail space working for Flight Centre, Snowcene and finally at Oz Snow Adventures.  Robert’s passion for cruising began in 2012, when he was afforded the roles of Business Development Manager and National Key Accounts Manager for Royal Caribbean International looking after Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.  Robert has recently joined Windstar Cruises as the Australian Business Development Manager and is looking forward to building on his established relationships within the trade.

T: 0411 821 192 E: roberts@traveltheworld.com.au

PAMELA SPENCER – Manager – Groups & Charter

Born in Scotland, Pamela Spencer originally spent her time working in hospitality and completed travel within the hotel industry. It was only when Pamela moved to Australia in the late 1980’s that she became truly invested in travel. Working her way through all areas of the travel industry gave Pamela the valuable experience needed to decide that group travel was where her true passion lay.

Since 2004, Pamela has specialised in Groups & Charter for all types of travel including expedition, ocean cruising, river cruising, multigenerational and special interest groups as well as luxury tours for business and pleasure. During this time, Pamela also achieved certificates in sales and customer service as well as earning a degree in Ancient History, a CLIA Masters, and has travelled extensively with family and friends across the globe.

With such extensive experience organising extraordinary holidays, itineraries, and events for groups of all kinds, Travel the World cannot recommend anyone better than Pamela Spencer to plan your next adventure.

E: pamelas@traveltheworld.com.au