Spencer Travel

Eden works on the frontline in Myanmar to bring hope, freedom, opportunity and support to the victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Eden’s mission is to be Light. Bring Hope. Share Love.

Approaching 20 years of frontline operation, Eden has rescued over 1,800 women and girls from human trafficking and sexual exploitation across Southeast Asia. For the last 9 years our focus has been on the nation of Myanmar; with limited international support from the big INGOs, massive corruption and human rights violations and the devastating impacts of COVID and the February 2021 military coup, it is vital that the Eden team continue to focus our work and attention on this nation.

As a result of COVID and the coup, over the last 3 years, Eden’s frontline teams have seen the number of women and girls being exploited for sex increase by more than 300%.

Eden’s holistic model focuses not only on rescuing the one, but also breaking the entire trafficking cycle. Once we have been able to bring women and girls into the Eden programs, whether via our safe shelter model or drop-in center support, Eden focuses on trauma informed care, health care, creative therapies, education, vocational training and employment in Eden’s international jewellery social enterprise.

Through a relationship-focused and trauma-informed approach to programming, Eden is able to reach both individuals at high risk of trafficking and victims of human trafficking in the red-light districts of Yangon, and Northern and Eastern Shan state. This access has allowed Eden to identify and assist previously unknown victims of human trafficking, as well as collect vital migration tracking data. This unique design of programming is proven to address the root cause of their trafficking by reducing re-trafficking rates and facilitating sustainable reintegration after program graduation.

For more information please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OseWYu_ihhM

We spoke to travel guru and Managing Director Penny Spencer to find out where well heeled Australians will travel to in 2023.

There are plenty of people who say they can predict where Australians will travel to in 2023, but Managing Director and experienced Travel Agent Penny Spencer from Spencer Travel who specialises in luxury travel takes us inside her black book to share where high end Australian travellers have already booked for 2023.

From a surge in bookings for Wellness Retreats to some serious high end bookings in Africa, Europe and Egypt, Australians are set for a huge year of luxury travel in 2023.

Renae: What are luxury travellers looking for in 2023 that they were not looking for previously?

Penny: New destinations and new experiences. Private islands, private boats and jets.

They want exclusive and not necessarily flying commercial. So the Four Seasons Private Jet itineraries or Captain’s Choice private jet itineraries get done more quickly and in style.

Chartering Super Yachts is also popular – as they can have a large group of friends in one location and holiday in style. There are also now a lot of charter boat companies which make it that bit more affordable.

Private islands in Fiji, in Australia will also be very appealing for Australians as they provide plenty of privacy. Read More…

Penny Spencer is the founder and Director of Spencer Travel. Established in 1998 Spencer Travel is a multi-award winning company which has been voted Australia’s Best Corporate Travel Agency for the last 3 years in a row and is also a recent recipient of the 2012 City of Sydney Business Award for Tourism. Having worked in the industry for over 28 years and having built her own company from scratch Penny now shares her business and life lessons to aspiring female entrepreneurs.

There is no secret recipe for success. It is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. And it goes without saying – action is the foundation key to all success.

5 Tips for Business Success by Penny Spencer

1. Love what you do

For me the most important things are being passionate about what you do. Travel was something that always interested me. When I first got on a plane at the age of 6 I knew I wanted to work in something to do with travel. The excitement of going somewhere new, the plane trip, being part of an adventure- I knew this was what I wanted to do when I grew up. Even after years of working in the Industry I can honestly say that I still love everything about what I do. I still have the energy for the industry and for my business. I learn something new every day and I love a challenge. All of that gets me out of bed in the morning – every day is a new experience.

2. Always go the extra mile

Despite having climbed the ranks of the industry and having managed many corporate travel agencies throughout my career, opening my own agency presented its own challenges. Whilst I had the passion and knowledge for the industry, figuring out how to run the business was something new for me.

In order to increase my business management skills I joined the NSW Government and ABN Mentoring program in my second year of running the business. It is not enough to just know your industry –you have to know how to run a business in your industry.

Running a business brings its own challenges and I constantly seek new ways to further enhance the growth of the business. I am committed to striking a balance with my husband and two young children and as part of this I work Tuesday to Friday giving me three days for my family. It takes a lot of persistence, stamina, energy and business ability to do what I do.

3. Be adaptable

There are numerous obstacles in every business, but I think the biggest obstacle is dealing with change and adapting to it. September 11 was a big obstacle for the travel industry as the phone stopped ringing and didn’t ring again for 6 months or more. You need to adapt to these sorts of obstacles, think of new ways of doing business, communicate with staff and clients and most of all believe in yourself that you can look beyond the obstacle and plan for the future. Read More…

When it comes to Penny Spencer’s plans for Spencer Travel, the sky is literally the limit. Spencer explains how with a bit of hard work, and a clear business plan, Spencer Travel became one of Australia’s few Virgin Galactic space agents.

Penny Spencer’s enthusiasm for travel is clear within moments of stepping into Spencer Travel. Her attitude is reflected in the inviting, colourfully decorated office. Surrounded by the warm colours I’m instantly at home, not that the managing director is at all surprised. In fact my reaction is what she often rouses from customers and staff when they enter the Feng Shui designed space. “The environment is very important,” says Spencer. “Everyone spends so much time in their office space; it should have the right energy, and the right feeling.” Without a single speck of grey, or an uninviting sharp corner in sight, I settle into my chair and listen to how this glowing mother-to-be went from stamping brochures to selling tickets to space.

Spencer always knew her place was in the travel industry, and desperate to get a start, she began knocking on the doors of suburban travel agencies, offering to work for free. Eventually she was taken on by Adventure World Travel, and before long hired as a Girl Friday to run every errand imaginable. “It was a good leg to get into the industry and understand the business right from the bottom,” says Spencer.

The dream of doing things the Spencer Travel way was in the back of her mind as she climbed the travel industry ladder, and finally, nine years ago, the dream became a reality. Since then, her corporate travel agency has recorded a growth of 500 percent, and an annual turnover of $15 million. It has taken Spencer 17 years to get to where she is, and she now offers her employees the same opportunity to work their way to the top. Read More…