Winning Most Outstanding Travel Agency Manager at the 2025 National Travel Industry Awards is a big moment in anyone’s career.

For Sonia Jones it was also a chance to reflect on the journey that got her there.

In this episode of Offloaded, Richard Taylor and Ann-Catherine Jones sit down with Sonia to talk about the path from Flight Centre consultant to independent agency owner to winner of the most illustrious honour that our industry has to offer.

The conversation explores the role industry awards can play in building credibility, why entering them can be a powerful business strategy, and how the application process itself can become a valuable “health check” for your business.

Along the way, the discussion covers innovation, supplier relationships, accreditation, service fees and why you should never name your business after yourself.

“If I see something that adds value for my clients or my business, I’d rather jump on it early than wait for everyone else to decide it’s a good idea.”

This is one of our best interviews, packed with tips for advisors and suppliers alike. And for subscribers of Offloaded, we'll be quietly releasing a bonus episode covering Sonia's thought on time management and attending industry events. Look out for that on your podcast app or via the website.

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We hope you enjoy the episode — and if you’d like to support us, please follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and Facebook.

Oh, and if you haven’t already — subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform. We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

Rail travel is ‘having a moment’, says AC, and according to the CEO of Railbookers Group, Frank Marini, it’s only just getting started.

In this episode of Offloaded, Richard Taylor and Ann-Catherine Jones explore what this renaissance means for travellers and advisors.

The conversation covers everything from iconic luxury journeys like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express through to practical point-to-point rail connections across Europe, North America and beyond.

Frank talks about changing traveller behaviour, the rise of experiential and slower travel, and why rail is increasingly being used to connect multi-destination itineraries.

For travel advisors, this episode is a reminder that rail isn’t just a mode of transport. Done well, it can become the highlight of a client’s trip.

”The romance of travel is not being in a security line at the airport getting frisked, taking your shoes off and trying to find where your laptop and all your chargers are” - AC Jones, 2026.

All aboard for a great conversation!

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We hope you enjoy the episode — and if you’d like to support us, please follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and Facebook.

Oh, and if you haven’t already — subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Frank Marini on LinkedIn

Local Contacts in AU

Railbookers Website - https://www.railbookers.com.au/

'Conductor' Craig Owens on LinkedIn
Nicole Francke on LinkedIn

Angus “Gus” Pitkethley of Rosewood Hong Kong joins us for this episode — and fair warning: if you weren’t already thinking about a trip to Hong Kong, you will be after this one.

Rosewood Hong Kong has just been named the No. 1 Hotel in the World (a coincidence after featuring this year on Offloaded Podcast? We think not!) , and Gus takes us behind the scenes of what it really takes to reach — and stay at — the top. From its “vertical estate” approach to design and art-led storytelling, to the way Rosewood blends luxury, culture, and a deep sense of place, this is a masterclass in how to build a flagship hotel that resets the bar globally.

But this episode isn’t just about the hotel.

Gus also gives us his own story, from Double Bay to London to New York, and the insider track on expat life in Hong Kong — what makes the city tick, why it’s firmly back on the world stage, and how it continues to evolve as one of the most electric, layered, and globally connected destinations on the planet. Think street food to sky bars, harbour views to hidden beaches - Hong Kong still knows how to impress even the most well-travelled guest.

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This episode is brought to you by Rosewood Hong Kong. We hope you enjoy it — and if you’d like to support us, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.offloaded.com.au where you’ll receive insider details, first notification on new episodes, occasional competitions, and much more.

You can also follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Oh, and if you haven’t already — subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Angus Pitkethley on LinkedIn:
Rosewood Hong Kong: