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Everest Travel


Everest Travel is an independent travel agency located in Henderson, Auckland. It specialises in air tickets, hotel bookings, cruise bookings, and complete holiday packages. We caught up with Everest Travel director Suraj Sapkota to see what makes him tick.

How do you define a great travel experience?

As a customer if I can travel all around the world then that’s a good travel experience. As a travel consultant, if I can make my clients happy, I personally feel that’s a good travel experience. For my clients if I can get them good rates, if they have no visa issues or changing rules while in transit, if the travel is hassle free then that is a great experience.

What inspires you?

My people, my customers. They are the ones who inspire me. I never planned to open this business. When I used to work for an agency, I was the only Nepalese consultant so every day I used to get so many calls from the Nepalese community to book their travel. The customers told me ‘we will support you because you are the only Nepalese consultant’. It feels incredible to be uplifted by the Nepalese community.

What do you like about being part of the GTN family?

Support – in one word 24/7, 365. I don’t think I need to explain more than that. GTN is there when ever I need.

What is your biggest frustration about the travel industry?

Visa issues – I encounter lots of those. Especially when transit visa policies change without us knowing. I had two families that were affected by that issue recently. They took an 18 hour transit for a flight through Singapore because the airline said it would provide accommodation, but when they got to Singapore the visa policy had changed and they were told they weren’t allowed to leave the airport and ended up having to spend the whole 18 hours there. But that’s the challenge, and I love challenges.

What’s been the hardest moment in your career?

When one of my customers sued me and I went to court. The customer had purchased a ticket on Singapore Airlines flying in December that was non refundable. I sent him all the details and he was happy, everything was verified by him and his wife. In late October he emailed me saying he’d like to cancel the ticket and asked what the charges would be. I explained again that the ticket was non-refundable. He took two days to reply back and when he did it was a 15 page complaint drawing in the Consumer Act. He then took me to the dispute chamber at Hamilton District Court. I ended up winning the case, as I had clearly marked the terms and conditions – like we put on every single ticket. But I think it’s made me stronger and now when somebody tries to threaten me I have more confidence because I’ve been through the whole court process already so I can explain it to them.

What’s been the greatest/a highlight?

When someone acknowledges me for my work. When people in the local Nepalese community notice and recognise me and my work and come to me for their travel.

How do you balance work and life?

My job hours are 9am – 7pm, so after seven I generally do not take calls unless it’s an emergency because that’s my family time. Nowadays we are also circulating our after hours number between the staff so that we get to share the workload.

What’s the best piece of advice you could give to someone first starting out in the industry?

I would say – do your research and development, know your job very well, know this industry very well. I have come across lots of people who have started a travel business on the basis of hiring people. If you’d like to come in to this business, know this industry first, have enough product knowledge by yourself, for the community market especially.

What is your life motto?

Be happy, make people happy. My tasks, my actions or reactions will always be about making people happy. Making my customers happy makes me feel happy in return. 

As a niche tour operator we are able to remain independent while enjoying the benefits of the GTN network and family.

Jill Grant
A Walker's World/CYCLING EUROPE

Candid, transparent, approachable, proficient, proactive, dependable and impartial are a few words that describes this organisation. A real partnership and a great bunch of people.

 

Rupan
Avatar Travels

Go Global! Strong partnership, friendly staff, competitive deals, prompt responses!

Stan Zhang
Pro Travel

Great company to work with – they get the best deals possible!

Virender Bakshi
Sky Travel

Honest, efficient and reliable, all the qualities you need when you are in business

 

Jamie Currin
Simply Travel

GTN provides exclusive deals and offers, with a team of experts to support in every situation.  They are polite and quick to respond. We strongly recommend GTN services.

Preet
Gill Travels

Super team to work with and excellent support, the great team never fail to deliver.

Evelyn Lee
Midday Travel

The Consolidation team at GTN are excellent to deal with.  They are efficient and friendly, and when there has been queries with airlines or airfares, they have always sought answers and found solutions to the problem wherever possible.  The QuikTravel system is easy to use, as well as the additional information on the system around commissions, airline contacts, policies, as well as the summary of recent changes in fares & rules from airlines.  GTN is an excellent partner, and the small personal nature of the team is a good fit for our business

Paul Brydges
The Terrace Travel

We have used GTN since the beginning and find them very professional, quick and reliable. Never had any issues!

Scott Wagstaff
Silverstream Cruise & Holiday Centre

Our agency has been with GTN from the beginning because it is such a great team with great values and vision for the travel industry. They’re honest and fair and really get to know your business to help you grow. Over the years we were able to mutually grow our businesses together through their encouragement and excellent advice. We had so many opportunities for Famils and conferences. Would 100% recommend joining the GTN family.

Peter Carpenter
Planet Earth Travel

A truly outstanding independent travel agency group and ticketing consolidator and one I am so proud to work alongside. The team at GTN are knowledgeable, helpful and just generally interested in your business success and offer support where others have failed. Highly recommend!

Shona Bracey
Amped

GTN is “Awesome” ………..awesome staff, awesome deals just an awesome company that I am very lucky to work with.

Denise Holmes
Travel Partners Ltd

We have been with the GTN team since they first started and they are professional, caring, willing to assist with any query and will go above and beyond to find fares to suit, even when we have the most ridiculous of destinations. Even in the hardest of times, they reach out to each and every one of their agents to make sure we are ok. Thanks for your ongoing support team.

Natalie Tambolash
World Expeditions

Exceptional! A professional, friendly, dedicated team. GTN, working with you is a real pleasure.

Lukas Napravnik
CZECHKiwis

I am really impressed the way GTN proactively work to grow my business with theirs. I’ve GONE GLOBAL and am loving it!

Terri Small
Supreme Tours and Travel

We moved to GTN in 2019 and have not looked back. We have found the entire GTN team fantastic to work with, honest, reliable and proactive. The GTN team have gone out of their way during the current COVID crisis, ensuring continued support and excellent communication.  Without hesitation, we highly recommend GTN

Tanya Roddam
YOURTravel & Tours, Kapiti Coast

Mondo Travel have been a customer of GTN since 2016. The big difference with GTN, is that they actually care about our business. We get great support and advice when required and the team are responsive to our needs. Our team of Brokers are also very complimentary of the service GTN provide.

Chris Hammonds CEO
Mondo Travel

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