36 | T HE B A R O SSA M A G // TR AVEL
Celebrating 25 years!
WORDS BY ADAM HUNT
PHIL HOFFMANN TRAVEL BAROSSA VALLEY
Back on the April 1, 1994, a little travel
agency in Nuriootpa officially opened its
doors and soon after, I landed a position
as a Junior Travel Consultant.
I was green and so was my terribly
oversized sports coat.
My boss and eventual business partner
let me share his computer when needed,
and the fax machine fascinated me. Who
would have thought that I’d still be here
25 years, and many bad hair styles, later!
Like anyone who has been in the same
job for a length of time, there comes the
inevitable question from friends – how
can you work in the same place for so
long?
For me it has been easy, and time certainly
flies when you’re having fun.
It’s like I blinked and ‘Hello 2019’! Our
industry is one of constant change, which
keeps me motivated and enthused.
The job and my role have changed so
much over the years that it has never felt
the same.
Back in the late 90’s we were the pride of
South Australia for winning the number
one award for sales to Tasmania.
Now we win awards for sales to Europe
and beyond.
Call me old fashioned, but I still have a
soft spot for the traditional airline tickets.
Electronic tickets are great, but there
was something special about being able
to hand over that paper ticket to my
clients that gave them access to travel to
somewhere in the world.
The arrival of the internet was a big
moment for our industry. How did we
ever live without it?
THE GRAIN ROOM
A place to relax where we farm it, grow it and make it.
• Homemade Gourmet pies, local produce platters, barista coffee, local craft Beer and more.
“Charming, rustic and down to earth”
Our productivity soared and the business
grew fourfold.
Over the years, firstly under the Harvey
World Travel banner and now as Phil
Hoffmann Travel, I’ve been lucky to work
with fantastic team members.
We’ve won many amazing team awards
and had a great time doing it.
I get so much joy out of seeing them
grow with their clients and win individual
awards for themselves.
Above all, the journey has been filled with
many lovely customers and our dealings
have morphed into friendships that have
lasted for years.
As we celebrate, my team and I thank
you all for the incredible support and
memories.
We look forward to many more years of
good times and obligatory bad hairdos!
THE STABLES WINE ROOM
Come and discover Pindarie’s Estate wine room housed inside the restored historic Stables.
• Estate Wine Tasting
• Cellar Door tastings • Barista Coffee
• Seasonal Lunches • Spectacular Views
9 4 6 R o s e d a l e R o a d , B a r o s s a Va l l e y | P h o n e : 0 8 8 5 2 4 9 0 1 9 | O p e n 7 d a y s | w w w . p i n d a r i e . c o m . a u