About Us
We’re a human company, and our people matter.
MTA was started as a family business with a single objective, to make the careers and lives of travel professionals independent and more rewarding.
We are proud of our team and love giving them the chance to tell their story.
Find a Travel ExpertMeet the Head Office Team
Karen Merricks
Managing Director / Co-Founder
Number of countries visited: 45+
Favourite travel destination: Too many to choose just one… Fiji, France, Italy.
Interesting fact: My uncle was a lighthouse keeper and that started my lifelong interest in lighthouses.
Roy Merricks
Managing Director /Co-Founder
Number of countries visited: 40+
Favourite place: Fiji, France, Italy.
Interesting fact: I came from an architectural design and construction background, making the change to travel with the launch of MTA and I’ve never looked back!
Don Beattie
CEO
Number of countries visited: 25
Favourite place: Hard choice but it’s probably Italy, the food and drink, the weather and of course the history.
Interesting fact: I don’t have a middle name.
Sara Merricks
Executive Manager
Number of countries visited: 55+
Favourite place: Bhutan and Italy. Bhutan for the overall experience/adventure and Italy for the food and culture.
Interesting fact: I did ballet for 10 years when I was younger and was part of the Gold Coast City Ballet Company.
Ben Merricks
Head of Business Systems
Number of countries visited: 17
Favourite travel destination: Italy for the food and culture.
Interesting fact: I’m easily tempted by a good chicken parmigiana.
Clare Kearns
Senior Business Development Manager – National
Number of countries visited: 13
Favourite destination: Edinburgh, Scotland. I lived there for 6 months and didn’t want to leave – the castle, the people and the bagpipes! I’m a sucker for bagpipes!
Interesting fact: I plan on running an art gallery and want to ride a Harley Davidson when I retire.
Georgia Traill
Senior Business Development Manager – National
Number of countries visited: 26
Favourite destination: The Galapagos Islands (with no kids), so amazing and life changing. My favourite family destination is Fiji to relax and unwind with beautiful surrounds and kind, wonderful local people.
Interesting fact: I grew up in my parents Brewery in South Gippsland, Victoria, that they ran for 15 years. An interesting childhood!
Deborah Dewe
Business Development Manager – WA
Number of countries visited: 42 countries
Favourite destination: One of the most interesting places I have been to is Iceland, the landscape, food, culture, and climate is like nothing I have ever seen elsewhere in the world. I spent 10 days there on a university fieldtrip and got to see some of the most magnificent landscapes across the country.
Interesting fact: I became a citizen of Australia on 7th March 2023!
Lauren Ryan
Business Development Manager – NSW & ACT
Number of countries visited: 34
Favourite destination: Mexico and the USA
Interesting fact: I married my Contiki fling!
Ruby McBryde
Business Development Manager – QLD
Number of countries visited: 19
Favourite destination:A very difficult choice! Of the places I’ve visited so far, I really enjoyed my time in the south of France.
Interesting fact: The first time I ever travelled by plane was to move to Canada on a working holiday all by myself.
Kerryn Taylor
Marketing & Communications Manager
Number of countries visited: 45
Favourite destination: My favourite trip was a 10-week overland trip from Kenya, via Uganda to South Africa, amazing scenery, animals and a once in a lifetime experience!
Interesting fact: I represented New Zealand in gymnastics – in the days before I was a Mum to 3 boys (including twins).
Suzie ten Bohmer
Finance Executive
Number of countries visited: 10
Favourite travel destination: Maldives. My husband and I spent their honeymoon in the Maldives and it puts a smile on my face every time a memory takes me back there.
Interesting fact: I’m a mum of two boys Quinn and Cohen and when I’m not working, being a mum/wife, I’m throwing a heavy bar around at the gym – my happy place.
Kirsty Tate
Training Manager
Number of countries visited: 30+
Favourite place: Borneo – a truly amazing experience and incredible wildlife.
Interesting fact: I was the Queensland State Ball Champion (Rhythmic Gymnastics) for 3 years straight.
Sue Rule
Corporate Manager
Number of countries visited: 18
Favourite destination: Bora Bora, for its beauty and tranquillity.
Interesting fact: I love to holiday and relax at exquisite beach resorts.
Kym Ryan
Support Manager
Number of countries visited: 26
Favourite travel destination: New York. I can’t say if it’s the buzz or the atmosphere, the city just amazed me, but I can’t wait to go back.
Interesting fact: One of my favourite movies is “Gone with the Wind”.
Neil Robertson
Head of Product
Number of countries visited: 33
Favourite destination: Now that is a hard question as I have favourites for various reasons be it scenery, culture, food, nature, the unexpected but to keep my home life happy I’ll nominate Singapore (my partner is Singaporean). I travel there at least twice a year and thus know Singapore as a local. A cultural melting pot (where else in the world would you have a Hindu Temple in the middle of China Town) and a foodies paradise.
Interesting fact: I speak two Asian languages
Rhona Rodgers
Cruise & Wholesale Product Manager
Number of countries visited: 47
Favourite travel destination: Cruising the Galapagos Islands a province of Ecuador. To get so up close to animals and species living in their natural habitat was amazing, the diversity of plant and animal specifies is incredible. I even watched a seal give birth!
Interesting fact: In the 70’s I worked in Australia’s first McDonalds restaurant at Yagoona, NSW.
Remus Gheorghiu
Air Product Manager
Number of years in the travel industry: 23
Number of countries visited: 27
Favourite destination: Italy – a perfect mix of breath-taking places, great food and amazing arts, culture and history.
Interesting fact: I enjoy being a football referee in my spare time.
Zeena Croudace
Product Co-ordinator
Number of countries visited: 20
Favourite destination: This question is like asking me to pick a favourite child! I can’t but I am a big fan of summers in Europe.
Interesting fact: I once flew a plane!
Lorna Barnes
Product Co-ordinator
Number of countries you’ve visited? 24
Favourite travel destination: Barcelona, love the culture, architecture and their food
Interesting fact: I am half Scottish and until not until that long I go I actually thought a Haggis was a little furry animal that I used to try and spot whenever we would visit Scotland 😂
Katie Granger
Product Co-ordinator
Number of countries you’ve visited? 21
Favourite travel destination: Anywhere in Europe, I love the culture, food, history, and cobblestone streets.
Interesting fact: I got engaged at the top of Mount Kosciuszko
Kelly McDonald
Product Co-ordinator
Number of countries you’ve visited? 74
Favourite travel destination: Too many to mention, I love anywhere there are animals and I feel privileged to be able to see them in their natural environment.
Interesting fact: I am always trying to beat the crowds before other tourist’s discover places like Burma, Cuba, Iran.
Paula Wright
Business Analyst
Number of countries visited: 8
Favourite travel destination: The Maldives is my favourite destination, a truly beautiful and relaxing place.
Interesting fact: I’m happily married to Pete and have two children, Aston and Mahalia.
Mariia Branch
Digital Marketing Executive
Number of countries visited: 15
Favourite destination: Italy – the most beautiful country
Interesting fact: I’ve learnt a new language at almost 30 and moved across the world
Brydie Cox
Marketing & Events Executive
Number of countries visited: 16
Favourite destination: Croatia – love the national parks, coastlines and Dubrovnik Old Town!
Interesting fact: I have a very close family with 21 cousins that are all like siblings to me.
Carolyn Iacono
Installation Co-ordinator
Number of countries visited: 30
Favourite destination: Spain. The food, lifestyle, love those siestas, weather, culture and the list goes on.
Interesting fact: I’m a bit of a perfectionist!
Prem Halama
Ticketing Team Leader
Number of countries visited: 20
Favourite destination: Anywhere in Asia
Interesting fact: My all time favourite food is durian!
Karleina Leith
Ticketing Support
Number of years in the travel industry: 14
Number of countries visited: 9
Favourite travel destination: Japan for the friendly people, culture and food 😊
Something people may not know: I’m half Vietnamese
Jason Cantini
Ticketing Support
Number of countries visited: 17
Number of years in travel industry: 9
Favourite travel destination: Italy for the culture, history and the food!
Interesting fact: I lived in Florence, Italy with my family for a year when I was 15.
Teresa Howard
Ticketing Support
Number of countries visited: 60
Favourite travel destination: I can’t pick just one, so I’ll list my top 3. Kenya, Cambodia and Galapagos Islands (it’s because they all surpassed my expectations and I love seeing animals in their natural environment.)
Interesting fact: I love reading murder mystery books.
Chantelle Dove
Ticketing Support
Number of countries visited: 8
Favourite destination: Maldives! White sand, crystal-clear oceans and the colourful marine life, it was truly breathtaking.
Interesting fact: I love art and painting.
Van Tham
Ticketing Support
Number of countries visited: 11
Favourite destination: I like all countries in Asia because of the food and markets
Interesting fact: Watch a horror movie to relax myself
Angeline Liu
Ticketing Support
Number of countries visited: 9
Favourite destination: Pacific Islands, Singapore and Japan, love the people, food and culture!
Interesting fact: I have worked in the airfare & ticketing industry in NZ and AUS for over 10+ years and I am still passionate about it. I love dogs and love helping dogs in need.
Diana Manalastas
Ticketing Support
Number of countries visited: About 35
Favourite place: Maldives for a relaxing holiday, Japan for cultural experience, Armenia for an enriching travel and Switzerland for its beauty
Interesting fact: I love puzzles, especially the challenging ones. I am so much into travel. I love immersing myself to the culture, cuisine, and wonders of each place I visit.
Di Stirna
Ticketing Support
Number of countries visited: 20+
Favourite place: It’s too difficult to pick a favourite but I loved Italy and Spain, for their food and culture – Jamaica for it’s tropical, laidback vibe and Sri Lanka for it’s natural beauty, the people and the elephants!
Interesting fact: Almost all of my immediate family members first jobs were at McDonalds – me, my husband, my sister, her husband, her twins, my other sister and lots of our current friends. My daughter just turned 14 so she may soon join the list!
Toby Lim
Ticketing Support
Number of countries visited: 35 and counting…
Favourite place: Destinations I go back to again and again: UK, Japan, New York City. Destinations that I completely fell in love with but likely won’t return to soon: Jordan, Romania.
Interesting fact: I studied in Japan for two years and majored in Japanese and Korean at university.
Lauren Burdett
Consultant Support
Number of countries visited: 10
Favourite destination: New York for the theatre and India for something different.
Interesting fact: I’ve kissed Russell Crowe!
Miranda Barclay
Assistance Team Leader
Number of countries visited: 20
Favourite travel destination: Nuremberg Germany, beautiful old city with so much history and wonderful friendly people.
Interesting fact: I’ve been kissed by Robbie Williams and have seen him live on stage 25 times.
Silvia Wilkinson
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 20
Favourite place: The Sub Antarctic. Amazing, cold and way beyond your expectations.
Interesting fact: I hate clutter!
Kiruna Gilbert
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 2
Favourite destination: Australia
Interesting fact: I’m named after the Northernmost City of Sweden
Mona Anwar
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 14
Favourite destination: This is very hard to answer, but I would have to say Canada. There is so much to do and explore there, the people are so friendly, and I am obsessed with poutine and beavertails!!
Interesting fact: I don’t drink coffee. Safe to say majority of society thinks I am strange!
Susan Anderson
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 14
Favourite destination: NYC is my favourite city ; France is my favourite country – so far…
Interesting fact: For my last big birthday, I spent my actual bday drinking champagne in the Champagne region of France. It was Tres magnifique!
Ashlee Montague
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 9
Favourite destination: Scotland; rugged, rustic and so much history
Interesting fact: I was an in-training chef and adore being an adventurous home cook!
Jaimie Hourdas
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 8
Favourite destination: Maui
Interesting fact: I used to have a pet Ostrich
Jodi O’Brien
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 22
Favourite destination: Peru & Finland. My Peru & Bolivia tour included the 4-day Machu Picchu trek which I found very rewarding. Finland was my first white Christmas to Lapland driving Huskie sleds, Reindeer sleighing, Snowmobiling, and visiting Santa.
Interesting fact: I still enjoy roller skating & competing in the social games. Always end up with some bruises!
Julia Bond
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 18
Favourite destination: It’s hard to choose one but I would say Africa, because of the amazing wildlife and unique travel experiences.
Interesting fact: I’m an identical twin
Julie Savieri
Assistance Team
The number of countries I have been to: Approximately 20.
My favorite destination: That’s so hard to pick as I have loved so many countries. I guess some of my favorite places would be Alaska and being privileged to see bears in their own habitat. The Netherlands because of my family connection. Hawaii as it’s pure relaxation.
Interesting fact: My son thinks I am the best at hide & seek! And… I love all animals
Priti Gatto
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 25 countries
Favourite destination: Switzerland – now, but this does change depending on when you ask me.
Interesting fact: I love binging watching reality TV shows especially the Real Housewives tv franchise.
Salma Nishar
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 19
Favourite destination: Egypt and Fiji. Egypt for its amazing culture & history and Fiji has so many beautiful beaches and the people are exceptionally friendly.
Interesting fact: I can speak 3 languages and attempting my fourth one
Cassie Dipper
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 27
Favourite destination: Japan – I lived there for 8 months and didn’t want to leave!
Interesting fact: I have lived in 3 different countries aside from Australia. My favorite thing is introducing my 2 little boys to new adventures and seeing their faces
Natalie Jung
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 14
Favourite destination: I love the USA. I am enchanted by it’s diversity of landscapes, people, food and experiences as well as the ease of which a person can get around.
Interesting fact: I have lived in 3 countries in my life (South Africa – I was born there, New Zealand since 2005 – I spent 8 years there and lived on both the North and South Islands and Australia since 2013. I also speak 3 languages (English, Afrikaans and Zulu).
Jessica Cox
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 27
Favourite destination: Scotland
Interesting fact: I love musicals and live theatre
Kaylah Waterson
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 14
Favourite destination: Thailand – because the beautiful islands are the closest thing to Tahiti I’ve been able to experience
Interesting fact: I was a high level competitive gymnast growing up, and still do gymnastics once a week
Dale Schultz
Assistance Team
Number of countries visited: 28
Favourite destination: Vietnam, I have been multiple times now, the beautiful people, the food, the scenery. I just love it.
Interesting fact: I have swam in, bunjee jumped over, rafted on, abseiled the side of and camped right beside the Zambezi River.
Kas Lawler
Support Team Leader
Number of countries visited: 8
Favourite travel destination: Quebec, it’s a beautiful historical destination where you can visit France without leaving North America.
Interesting fact: I’m the office hairdresser – braids on demand!
Chelsea Allison
Support Team
Number of countries visited: 3
Favourite destination: I haven’t yet been to Ireland but it’s been on the top of my list for as long as I can remember! The place seems so mesmerising
Interesting fact: I have a cold shower every day without fail!
Sue Fraser
Support Team
Number of countries visited: 25 plus
Favourite destination: Where my sons live – New Zealand, Australia, USA
Interesting fact: I love Freddie Mercury and Queen music.
Gemma Reeve
Support Team
Number of countries visited: 25
Favourite destination: New Zealand for adventure and sheer beauty
Interesting fact: I have 24 pets including 5 Highland cows which I brush everyday.
Helen Schiefelbein
Finance Support
Number of countries visited: 35
Favourite destination: Apart from anywhere I haven’t been yet I would have to say Mongolio as the scenery is amazing and so are the people.
Interesting fact:I lived in Burma to help set up an adventure tour company many years ago
Kaila Clarke
Support team
Number of countries visited: 2
Favourite destination:
Japan, I’ve never been but love the scenery and landscapes over there.
Interesting fact: I love beetroot dip.
Hannah Moore
Receptionist
Number of countries visited: I have not yet been overseas but looking forward to planning my first trip.
Favourite destination:
My Favourite destination would have to be anywhere with a nice sunset.
Interesting fact: I ride dirt bikes