Get to know Kim Newton – local legend, pool-lover, and Wanna Win a Pool champion

“It’s not just the travel industry,” says Kim Newton from MTA travel. “No one has gone untouched by covid 19. I’m fortunate I’m still standing and have come out the other end. People have had to sell their homes, have lost their livelihoods. It’s horrible.”

The fact that the pandemic has obliterated the travel industry makes it all the more amazing that Kimmy Newton has put up her hand to donate third prize in our Wanna Win a Pool competition. Up for grabs is a luxury night away in Sydney’s fancy Shangri-La Hotel – stunning harbour views, five-star breakfast, instant upgrade, and $100 US dollars spending money thrown in.

“The Blu Bar has the best views in Sydney,” Kim says. “I picked a hotel I know everyone will enjoy.”

Kim Newton is an absolute star. Mother of three, she’s been in the travel industry for 31 years, and has owned her own business, for 12 years.

“I don’t like using the term travel agent,” Kim says. “I’m a travel advisor. Or a travel expert. What I do is support people with their travel goals, dreams and plans from beginning to end.”

We’re so excited to have Kim a part of our Wanna Win a Pool team. Like us, business for Kim is all about building community connections through genuine relationships.

“You know what I really pride myself on is the relationship with my clients,” Kim says. “When I get a new client it’s all about retaining them and looking after them. I’m ethical, I’m upfront – I pride myself on that. If they come to me, they never walk away. That’s how you want it to be.”

During the pandemic, Kim has had to work pretty hard for clients who’ve stood to lose thousands of dollars due to unexpected restrictions. From the cancellation period in March last year to now, .she has fought hard for her clients obtaining as many refunds she can.  There are still many credits in place from suppliers,  however refunds were her priority for everybody.

“I’ve gone into bat every time,” she says. “That’s what I do. I wanted to give back every cent I got back, deposits, everything. It’s cost me a fortune, but I’ve picked up a stack of new clients, too. People just want to know someone’s got their back.”

Kim says when the restrictions are finally lifted the travel industry is set to boom, and that those wanting to travel are going to need more expertise and support than ever.

“When the borders open travel is going to be that much more complicated,” she says. “Destinations are going to want so much more security information, evidence of vaccination, of where you’ll be going, what you’ll be doing, where you’ll be staying. If you rock up at the airport without every box ticked you’ll be denied boarding. The role of the travel advisor will be as crucial as ever in helping people negotiate this.”

Kim went in hard to secure the prize for the competition, at a time when the entire tourism industry was pretty much shut down. A champion of all things local, Kim has made a name for herself as one of the most reliable, trustworthy, and rigorous travel experts in the game. If you live in Cronulla you’ve surely had a chat to Kimmy over the years.

“The runner’s up prize is part of Virtuoso,” she says. “It’s a five-star brand, worldwide, you’re invited to be a part of. It was my association with Virtuoso that really pulled me through co-vid and meant I could donate this prize. So many people didn’t know what I am about because I didn’t put myself out there. I started using social media – it was either sink or swim. I’ve been really lucky in that sense. I’m busier than ever.”

When she’s not organising all of our amazing travel plans, Kim loves kicking back by the pool with her three kids and husband, Todd.

“I love my pool,” Kim says. “We are the total entertainers. I don’t know what we’d do without our pool. We’ve had it a hundred years. But really how do you survive without a pool?”

To find out more about MTA travel click here.

To find out more about Wanna Win a Pool click here.