Pittwater Life November 2017 Issue

News
Keeping up with Kardash
The world of travel may
have changed a lot in
the 30 years specialist
Gail Kardash has run Travel
View in Avalon Beach but the
excitement factor of working
in the industry remains at an
all-time high.
Formerly Barrenjoey Travel,
the agency (now called Travel
View Cruise View) opened its
doors in October 1987 with
Gail heading up the operation
as Managing Director for
owners the Lerpiniere family.
It was a time when air
travel was still a comparative
luxury, two airlines – TAA
and Ansett – dominated the
domestic scene, and the only
cruise line in and out of Sydney
was P&O.
“Air travel was booming
with the introduction of the
Jumbos and with Qantas
boasting a full fleet of 747s
and the introduction of Business
Class,” Gail said.
“Interestingly the average
economy return airfare to
London was $2300 – quite
expensive when
comparing the average
salary today.”
She said the ’80s
also saw a growth in
air and hotel packages,
with more of us holidaying
in Asia, Bali, the USA and
the South Pacific, while the
best way to see Europe was on
coach tours.
“Australians didn’t need a
passport for New Zealand –
and mothers travelling with
their children were required
to carry a permission letter
from their husbands,” Gail
said.
The deregulation of domestic
aviation in 1990 saw a big
shift in the industry.
“Benefits intended were low
average airfares, more people
travelling by air, increased
competition, more efficient
carriers and to improve quality
of service,” Gail said.
“This saw the introduction
of our first low-cost carrier
Compass, who had two failed
attempts at the market… the
next 10 years saw other lowcost
carriers having their turn
but not succeeding and 1993
saw Ansett buying East West
airlines.
“The year 2000
brought the introduction
of Virgin
Blue to our fine
shores and their
success speaks for
itself.”
Gail said the
September 11, 2001
terrorist attacks
changed the way we
travel forever.
“2011 was significant
in the way not only Australia
but the way the world
viewed travelling,” Gail said.
“Obviously security has
been the highest of priorities
everywhere – scanning of
bags, bodies and waiting in
lines at airports and shipping
terminals is a new part of our
travelling days and one that I
don’t foresee the end of.
“But we are still here and
still as excited as ever –
our industry is now being
saturated with exciting new
destinations, and we are now
leading the way with Expedition
cruising,” Gail said. – NW
20 NOVEMBER 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991