Mayur, Bhavana & Helen_Barolin Travel Bundaberg
When Mayur and Bhavana first moved from Kenya to Bundaberg in 2002, they purchased Barolin Travel Bundaberg. Helen joined the business later that same year and they have been working as a close team ever since. Their Travel Agency business provides International and Domestic travel bookings, taking care of all their customers at all stages of their holiday.
Bhavana began to notice that something was happening that could potentially affect their clients early in 2020. During February, she kept a close eye on the reports from the World Health Organisation and began to monitor the events overseas. Later that month and during March, Bhavana, Mayur and Helen worked to bring their clients safely home from places all over the world and by mid-March the business was shut down completely. This meant dissolving and cancelling dozens of bookings and trips, resulting in no income at all. Bhavana, Mayur and Helen are very grateful for the Job Keeper aid from the government that has been their only support.
It has only been recently that the doors to Barolin Travel have been opened again, and they are still requesting that people make an appointment first, this is to ensure that the restrictions are followed for the continued safety of everyone.
When asked what they thought the hardest part of this time has been, Bhavana stated: “The hardest part I suppose, not knowing what the future of travel will be. It’s not just the business, it’s for everything in life, everything’s changed for now”.
She went on to express concern for her family overseas and feels disturbed that their business cannot take care of their customers’ requirements, like they are used to doing.
Bhavana stated: “I was saddened by it because the world is such a beautiful place, and such beautiful people, and such wonderful things to experience when you travel… so many good things and all of that has now been made less accessible… it has just contributed to a heaviness in life, this makes me feel, really sad”.
During these troubling times there has been a great deal of kindness shown to Barolin Travel. Helen spoke of their clients being extremely supportive of all the restrictions and changes that have had to be put in place in the business. Mayur told me about one of their clients offering to throw a Christmas party for the business and all their other clients and Bhavana spoke of clients bringing them lunch and flowers, and of the kindness shown by landlords and people helping with IT and other services, she stated: “We have seen a lot of kindness and a lot of good”.
A huge thank you to everyone at Barolin Travel Bundaberg for being so welcoming and sharing their experiences with me.
Barolin Travel Bundaberg, 51D Woongarra Street, Bundaberg, Qld 4670
Ph: (07) 4151 2111
info@barolintravelbundaberg.com.au