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Michele Duncan 37 Years of Experience

With an illustrious career spanning more than three decades, Michele has crafted a professional legacy at the pinnacle of leadership, strategy, and an unwavering passion for travel.

Michele’s roots in the industry are firmly grounded in her fifteen years as the owner and operator of esteemed travel agencies on the Mornington Peninsula. These formative years offered Michele an intimate understanding of the intricacies and triumphs of building and sustaining a successful travel business—insights that continue to shape her advisor-first philosophy to this day.

While running her agency, Michele’s influence extended far beyond her own business. She lent her expertise to the industry as a contract writer for Travel Weekly and as a lecturer in Travel & Tourism, showcasing her enduring dedication to education and professional growth. Her trailblazing spirit led her to join Virtuoso in 2018, where she transitioned from individual agency ownership to empowering agencies at scale. During her tenure as Director of Member Relations for Virtuoso Australia & New Zealand, Michele played a vital role in enhancing member engagement strategies, fortifying stakeholder relationships, and addressing the dynamic needs of luxury travel advisors in an ever-evolving landscape.

Now, Michele embraces a new and exciting chapter as SmartFlyer Australia’s Head of Affiliates. Her exceptional blend of agency expertise and years immersed in the Virtuoso ecosystem positions her perfectly to lead Australian affiliate development, foster long-term growth, and elevate business performance. With an infectious enthusiasm and a steadfast commitment to luxury travel advisors, Michele remains a champion of success at every juncture of their career.

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

One of my favourite travel experiences was visiting Cuba before it opened up to the world. For seven days, there was no phone coverage anywhere (can you imagine!) and only one place to access the internet, a small public library in Havana where locals queued patiently for a few minutes of dial-up connection. The real highlight, though, was a horseback ride through the tobacco fields of Viñales, where a farmer helped me roll my own cigar. I smoked it proudly… followed immediately by a few very unglamorous coughing fits – but it was worth every second.

Which destinations are you looking forward to visiting? Why?

I’m most looking forward to finally visiting Machu Picchu, the only one of the Seven Wonders I haven’t managed to reach yet. I’ve visited all the others, but this one has somehow escaped me twice. The first time, I missed a connecting flight out of Los Angeles and the entire opportunity vanished. The second time, I made it all the way to Cusco, only for a landslide to shut down access to the final stretch. After two failed attempts, I’m determined that the third time will be the charm, and I can’t wait to complete the set.

 

Travel Tip

  • If you’re taking a long‑haul trip, avoid booking a one‑night stopover. By the time you clear customs, get to your hotel, check in, sleep poorly, check out, return to the airport, and go through check‑in and boarding all over again, you’ll feel more exhausted than refreshed. If you want the stopover to genuinely help, make it two nights, your body (and sanity) will thank you.