Overview
The Free-2-Travel Group has grown from a small idea and desire to fill a niche in the market to an industry leader. That niche is to set new benchmarks in delivering a service above and beyond our clients expectations.
When you speak with any of our staff you will find a person who will listen, question and deliver the travel solution that not only meets but also exceeds your expectations.?
History
Paul Adams, Michel Bouskila and Mark Sheehan meet over a beer at Epoque in Cammeray. The outcome is an idea that there is a gap in the market for Sales/Promotions Agencies to properly manage travel based promotions. (0 staff)
Start Developing the Free-2-Travel model from a shared corner desk in a Neutral Bay office (1 staff)
Free-2-Travel Holidays Pty Limited is registered (1 staff)
Launch accommodation offer campaign with “Who Weekly Magazine”
Finish development of the Free-2-Travel Holidays accommodation program and secure deals with ACP Media and Holden Australia (2 staff)
Free-2-Travel finally branches out to own office space (3 staff)
Free-2-Travel Holidays acquires Integrated Travel Services (Jetset Lane Cove) and signs agreement to fulfil the online travel providers HolidaysonSale.com.au. Retail arm becomes member of the Jetset/Travelworld Group (6 staff)
F2T secures first international contract with NZ based agency
F2T secure first contract with UK based Ad Agency
Free-2-Travel buy out HolidaysonSale.com.au /.co.uk and all linked brands/web sites cruisesonsale.com.au, flightsonsale.com.au; carrentalsonsale.com.au (12 staff)
F2T first become major sponsor of the APMA National Awards for Best Young Creative and Account Service Managers (14 staff)
Free-2-Travel Holidays acquires Avalon Travel and Jetset Dee Why. Re brand both agencies to HolidaysonSale and join the Travelscence American Express Group. (25 staff)
Free-2-Travel acquires Eyegazmic Solutions (web development) and re brand as BTA Active. (30 staff)
Team
Managing DirectorFor the last 15 years Paul has been employed in a variety Management roles within the Tourism industry. Working in all facets of the industry has provided Paul with the insight of what a clients expectations are when organising their holiday. Paul's previous roles, included 3 years as Director of Sales UK/Europe for a leading Australian Tour operator and Sales Manager for NSW for 2 leading Australian travel wholesale operators. Paul's wealth of experience has also involved the fulfilment of reward and loyalty programs for large national companies Motto – See Results, Not Failure
DirectorFollowing several years with Ad agency, DDB Needham, Michel joined United International Pictures (UIP) as Marketing Director, Moved to London to head up international marketing for UIP as Vice President Marketing before returning to Australia as Managing Director of United International Pictures in 1990. Established and ran MBM Advertising and Communications from 1993 to 2003 before turning to travel and establishing F2T with partners Paul Adams and Mark Sheehan. Michel has over 23 years experience in all areas of marketing communications at both a domestic and international levelMotto – Money Can’t Buy Everything – Yes it Can!!!!
Finance ManagerJB has held many financial management positions within a wide variety of businesses. His experience in managing small to medium size business financial makes him a valuable member of the free 2 travel team. JB has worked in Consulting, recruitment, banking and now manages the overall finances for the Free-2-Travel group. JB holds a business degree in accounting.
General Manager Integrated Travel ServicesMark commenced working in the travel industry in 1981 as a junior Travel Consultant. He was employed with the same agency for 10 years until purchasing the company in 1991. He then owned and managed his own Travel Agency before broadening his horizons and joined the F2T team in 2002 as Senior Consultant before shortly after becoming Agency Manager.
Mark has a wealth of over 26 years travel expertise and passes this on to his valued Corporate and Leisure clients to make their travel arrangements as smooth and as enjoyable as possible - every time they travel.Motto – YOUR travel is MY pleasure!
General Manager BTA ActiveSince the inception of the web, Ben has lead a team of dedicated designers and engineers in producing some of the best traditional and online marketing activities. Starting Eyegazmic Solutions Pty Ltd in Nov 1995, Ben has seen many people and technologies come and go. Merging his business with Corporate Marketing Australia in 1998 lead him down a different path. Specialising in online applications and data mining. This knowledge and the ability to interperate the clients needs have carved out a niche for the kind of work delivered. In April 2008, Ben joined the Free-2-Travel Group as the general manager of the marketing and web arm called BTA Active. His experience and contacts has allowed BTA to produce and rapidly roll out online competition solutions and marketing initiatives for the Free-2-Travel Group and BTA's existing clients.Motto – No regrets
Memberships
The Free-2-Travel Group has grown from a small idea and desire to fill a niche in the market to an industry leader. That niche is to set new benchmarks in delivering a service above and beyond our clients expectations.
When you speak with any of our staff you will find a person who will listen, question and deliver the travel solution that not only meets but also exceeds your expectations.
Community Services
Layne Beachley "Aim for the Stars" Foundation
Donation of prizes for fundraising events
The Millennium Foundation
Donation of prizes for fundraising events
APMA National Awards and ISP Dux Award
Our sponsorship of this key industry event is certainly the highlight of our social calendar each year. It is an honour for us to acknowledge the up and coming talent within the sales promotions industry. Each Year F2T donates 2 overseas holidays for the APMA National Awards plus a 1 week trip to London for the ISP Dux to attend the UK graduation.
RSPCA Queensland / NSW / WA
This relationship started in 2006 with F2T being contracted to fulfil travel prizes for their regular lottery raffles. Since then F2T has supported over 15 Raffles along with holiday donations for the Annual fundraising events.
Mosman Junior Rugby Club
Donation of prizes for fundraising events and support of their annual Cudas Tour to NZ.
PCYC Queensland
This relationship started in 2005 with F2T being contracted to fulfil travel prizes for their regular lottery raffles. Since then F2T has supported over 30 Raffles along with holiday donations for the Annual Gala Ball.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Donation of prizes for fundraising events
Pink Ribbon Foundation
Donation of prizes for fundraising events
Sacred Heart Primary School
In 2006 this school along with it's sister school Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School, Waterloo, started a wonderful program of Reconciliation. Student from both schools are selected to participate in a trip to Uluru and gain a greater understanding of Aboriginal Culture. HolidaysonSale has supported this initiative with discounted airfares (supported by Qantas) and donations during their annual Dinner Dance to raise funds.
Nikki O
A story that touched our hearts! A client called us and told us of the tragic and brave story of Nikki O. Nicki worked with an Agency and after a tragic accident was left to recover from brain damage. We were pleased to donate a Whitsunday Holiday, which assisted in raising over $30,000 to help Nickki’s recovery.
Dymocks Literacy Foundation
The Dymocks Literacy Foundation helps many charities by providing much needed books and financial support for their volunteer mentoring and tutoring programs. There are at least 500,000 Australian kids living in poverty today – and we want to help even more.
The George Gregan Foundation
The George Gregan Foundation was established in August 2005 by George and Erica Gregan after their son Max was diagnosed with epilepsy. Since then the foundation has raised funds to help train medical practitioners who specialise in the treatment of children suffering from epilepsy and other neurological conditions.
The George Gregan Foundation have built playgrounds at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane and now at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick. The playgrounds are designed to give patients and their families somewhere to go to enjoy some time together away from the wards.