Guest of honour at the function will be the founder of the company, Mary Rossi O.B.E., who led the company for its first 30 years, before handing over the reins to her daughter Claudia in 2000.
A mother of 10 children and with an established career in television, Mary Rossi started the business in 1970 in response to a request from the shipping company, Lloyd Triestino, to lead a tour to places of Christian significance in Europe. Her ability to graciously combine a rich family life with a successful career was an inspiration to women around Australia.
The first tour departed in 1971 on the stylish 'Galileo' with over 300 passengers on a four month round-world tour. On board was Mrs Rossi and many of her children. The company diversified over the coming years with innovative tours taking in cooking schools and wine appreciation courses in France and Italy and special interest trips created for music lovers and those interested in art and culture.
A passion for beautiful hotels and a close personal relationship with hotel owners around the world led the company to establish a representative arm with a portfolio of well known names such as the Seiyo Ginza Hotel, The Phoenician, Rosewood Hotels and for many years Relais & Chateaux. The company is currently the GSA for a number of specialist tour operators such as Butterfield and Robinson, Living Italy, Hidden Italy, Sea Cloud and River Cloud.
Throughout its history Mary Rossi Travel has received numerous awards from the industry and consumers alike. It was nominated as the Best of the Best by Courvoisier in the 1990s and Best Luxury Travel agent three times in recent years.
Though still at school when the company was founded, Claudia Rossi Hudson, has been involved in the business from the earliest days. She had a six year absence from the business after completing her MBA in 1994 and establishing a career in financial planning.
Claudia returned to the industry in 2000 to take over Mary Rossi Travel with her husband, Roger Hudson, thus keeping it a family company.
Since she stepped in to lead the company in 2000, Claudia has led Mary Rossi Travel through some of the most turbulent times ever experienced in the travel industry. The business continues to flourish with a strong team of experienced travel consultants and growing list of loyal clients who appreciate the high touch service and creative itinerary planning.
Mary Rossi Travel is a founding Australian member of the exclusive VIRTUOSO international network of agencies, hotels, resorts, and "in country expert on site" representatives. Mary Rossi Travel is also a member of the Travelscene Corporate travel network.
The resilience, energy and expertise of its management has led Mary Rossi Travel to grow its business from organising guided cruise tours to Europe in 1971 to today's full range of services to Leisure, Corporate/Business Travellers, Incentive Groups and Special Interest Tours.
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