Travel business a family affair

It's easy to tell when Tracey Bluck and Merilynn Crean are in work mode.
When the pair are working on their new travel business, Tracey calls Merilynn by her Christian name. But when they're off the clock, she's just "Mum".
This mother-daughter team has almost 50 years' experience in the travel industry between them.
They have been working together on and off for 17 years since Tracey graduated from university and joined Merilynn at the Tauranga branch of House of Travel, which she owned and operated for 10 years.
Now, Tracey has started her own business, as a personal travel manager affiliated to House of Travel.
And although Merilynn has officially retired, she's standing beside her daughter as her 2IC, to support her in any way she can.
With three young children, Tracey decided starting her own business would suit her lifestyle.
As a personal travel manager, Tracey is available to her clients at any time of the day and night, which is crucial if the client is in a different time zone.
The biggest difference between a travel agent and a personal travel manager is that the latter works to the client's timetable.
"The key advantage is we are available for what suits the client," Tracey said.
"It's 24/7. I work on the weekend, I go to people's houses when they want to see me.
"It also suits people with young families. I know myself that if I go into a shop with my kids, I'm very conscious of the noise they are making, and can't concentrate on what I'm doing.
"I can go to their house where the children have all their toys and they are quite happy."
As Merilynn explained, a personal travel manager meant busy clients could relax, knowing the work was being done for them.
"A lot of people are thinking about travel after work in the evening - they will send an email at 10 o'clock at night, and go to work knowing that Tracey will action and get it done during the day."
And clients can also benefit from the wealth of knowledge of a personal travel manager.
"When you're booking something big like a European trip, there's a lot more to it than just an airfare," Tracey said.
"Having that knowledge, and someone to help provide that knowledge, is really important to avoid all the pit-falls."
Since Merilynn retired, she has does relief work for House of Travel stores through the country. And when it comes to Tracey's business, Merilynn said she was "just here to support her in getting off the ground".
"Tracey's the one that's going to do all the hard work. My part is in helping her with knowledge."
She will also act as back-up for when Tracey is busy with family commitments.
The pair's knowledge and experience complement each other.
Tracey has a strong background in popular holiday destinations such as America, Fiji and Japan. And Merilynn has visited more than 85 countries, and has a strong interest in "soft adventure" travel.
 The pair love working together, and say they don't clash.
"I think possibly we have a similar work ethic, and that helps, because the focus is on the client," Merilynn said.
"Tracey has come up through the business, and we have always travelled as a family, and that's probably why it was easy to work together."
FIVE THINGS ABOUT TRACEY AND MERILYNN
* Tracey's favourite destinations are Thailand and Ireland.
* Her travel wish-list is too long to mention.
* Merilynn's most recent travel highlight was a trip to Morocco.
* Her next holiday will be to Fiji.
* Tracey is on the board of trustees at Mount Maunganui Primary School. Four generations of the family have attended the school.
* The pair enjoy regular walks up the Mount, and the family enjoys fishing and boating.
* Merilynn enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren, reading and watching the travel channel.