Travel Agent Michelle Mangio of Magical Escapes Vacations selected to attend the Australia Tourism Exchange.

Michelle Mangio, DS, LS, of Magical Escapes Vacations joined 600 key international buyers from over 40 countries at a unique tourism forum in Australia, when she was selected among 133 Premier Aussie Specialists by Tourism Australia.

Influential international buyers are selected by Tourism Australia to meet with the best of Australian tourism businesses at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), which was held this year in Brisbane, Australia. ATE provides a unique forum for leading Australian tourism businesses to showcase their destinations to key international buyers while providing them with an opportunity to experience Australia up close and personal.


Michelle Mangio, owner of Magical Escapes Vacations and a Premier Aussie Specialist, was chosen to join a group of 20 Premier Aussie Specialists from North America to attend the Brisbane ATE as guests of Tourism Australia. "I truly love Australia," Mangio said, "and I gladly go back again and again. It was a privilege to be invited to the ATE, and gave me the opportunity to discuss with suppliers and businesses about Australian travel and - very importantly - about making my clients's vacations unique experiences."


The five days of the Australian Tourism Exchange involved pre-arranged meetings in fifteen minute intervals between the buyers or travel agents and the representatives of the Australia tourism businesses. "I met with over 100 businesses over the five days," Mangio explained, "and many more than that during informal meetings, or after ATE hours. It was grueling, but one of the best experiences I've had. I learned a lot, made some important contacts, and met some great people."


The week prior to ATE, Mangio toured Southern Queensland with the other Premier Aussie Specialists. "I saw some parts of Australia you don't find in the average guidebook," Mangio said of her travels. "It was a wonderful experience - and one I cannot wait to share with my clients."


The highlight of the trip was unique Fraser Island, the world's largest sand dune island, according to Mangio. "There's not only 75 Mile Beach, with its 75 miles of white sand, nor the amazingly clear waters of Lake McKenzie… there's a rainforest growing right out of the sand! You won't find that anywhere else, and the nature-loving eco-tourist in me just went wild. It was an amazing experience."


"Everywhere we went, though, had something truly unique that would appeal to a certain kind of traveller - from the South Pacific tropics of the Whitsunday Islands to the cowboyesque Outback of Rockhampton ("Rockie" as it's known). Queensland really is a destination that has a little bit of everything for everyone."


Magical Escapes Vacations (www.magicalescapes.com) is a travel agency dedicated to providing unforgettable personal experiences to the South Pacific and other regions of the world, whether through tours, cruises, or individually tailored itineraries.


Michelle Mangio, owner and travel agent, has earned certifications as a Destination Specialist in some of the most exciting locales, including Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and South Africa. She was honored as the Featured Travel Agent in Agent@Home's March 2006 Edition.


Premier Aussie Specialists are a select group of 133 agents chosen from the several thousand Aussie Specialists from within North America. Aussie Specialists are a dedicated group of retail travel agents who actively sell and promote Australia. These 'Aussie Experts' have been educated and trained in the Aussie Specialist Program run by Tourism Australia and the State and Territory Tourism Organizations.