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TruTravels, the youth-focused tour operator best known for its laid-back ethos and vibrant small-group adventures, has officially settled in Australia with the launch of its first homegrown reservations department. This move signals more than just a local number. It marks a genuine, boots-on-the-ground commitment to the Australian travel trade.

From today, Australian agents can pick up the phone and be greeted by a familiar accent—no more midnight emails or guessing time zones. The new TruTravels reservations hotline, 1300 893 808, is fully operational, backed by a local team determined to make trip planning as breezy as a Byron Bay arvo.

At the forefront of this local push is seasoned travel veteran Drew Appleton, newly appointed Sales Executive. Appleton is no stranger to the industry. His résumé reads like a well-stamped passport: he has a decade of travel industry experience, having worked across a suite of Flight Centre brands: Escape Travel, Universal Traveller, and Flight Centre Tailor Made.

“I’ve lived in Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea. I’ve stood on both sides of the booking desk—traveller and planner,” says Appleton. “This new role with TruTravels is about more than just itineraries. It’s about connections—local connections—and being able to pick up the phone and solve problems in real time.”

Appleton’s background spans more than 50 countries, and his previous ventures include teaching, disaster recovery work, and a stint on the small screen. Now based in Australia, his wealth of global insight and grounded experience, along with faster, friendlier support, is precisely what TruTravels aims to bring to the table.

The launch isn’t just about convenience but loyalty, too. TruTravels is sweetening the deal for its most dedicated agent partners with a long-standing incentive: book five passengers within six months, and you’ll earn a free TruTravels trip: no gimmicks, no gimmickry—just real rewards for real sales.

Support is available Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm AEST—excluding public holidays—via multiple channels:

Phone: 1300 893 808
Email: agents@trutravels.com
Live Chat: www.trutravels.com

While TruTravels has long enjoyed a loyal following among adventure-hungry Aussies heading to Southeast Asia and beyond, this new chapter signals the brand’s maturation into a faithful trade ally on local soil. The intent is clear: to foster genuine, long-term relationships with agency partners while delivering the kind of personal service and attention that digital-only setups can’t replicate.

In a market where international operators often treat Australia as an afterthought, TruTravels’ move is a refreshing change of pace. It shows that the brand sees value in Australian customers and the Australian travel agents who serve them with distinction.

If Appleton’s appointment is anything to go by, TruTravels is placing experience and authenticity front and centre—values as timeless as a worn Lonely Planet guide and just as dependable.