About Us

Background
Executive Profiles

The Walshe group commenced operations in New Zealand in 1976 and entered the Australian market the following year. Since these beginnings we now represent a wide range of high profile airlines, land operators and tourist boards. Now employing over 60 people in our Australasian operations, we have become a market leader in our field.

We have received recognition of excellence in business from our peers within the Travel Industry. With the Walshe Group, New Zealand receiving awards for the best GSA company, three years in succession.

A key strength of the group is the establishment of dedicated businesses to support each principal account and these operate as stand alone units. The Walshe group also operates under guidance of clear business values which “live” within the organisation. These values include Recognition, Excellence, Creativity and Integrity.

Our executive/management team have a vast variety of experience throughout many differing aspects of the Travel industry. This combined knowledge provides a strong foundation to the company.

Group Chairman - Rodney H.C. Walshe ONZM, BCom, DPA

• Appointed Office of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s Honours list 2000, for his contribution to tourism and the community.
• Past President of the New Zealand Travel Agents Association
• Past President and Life Member of the New Zealand Tourist Industry Federation
• Life Member of the New Zealand Institute of Travel
• Former Chairman of the New Zealand Tourism Council
• Honorary Consul General of Ireland in New Zealand
• Current Chairman of Tourism Auckland
• The holder of tourism awards from UFTAA, AFTA, ITOC and Tourism Auckland

Group Managing Director - Jacqui Walshe MBA, BBS

Responsible for all operations of the Australian and New Zealand companies has been with the Walshe Group for 18 years, a number of which were in the role of General Manager for Walshes World, before being appointed to the position of Managing Director of the Group in early 1999.

She is a Past President of the Canada New Zealand Business Association, a Past Vice President of SKAL Auckland and former Chair of the STAR Alliance Sales and Marketing Committee. Jacqui completed her MBA in 1998, and was a member of Massey University’s Tourism Advisory Committee.

Jacqui is a current Member of the Board of ANTOR (Association National Tourism Organisation Representatives) Australasia and on the board of Liontamer Investments Pty Ltd.

GM Human Resources Asia & New Zealand - Sonia Holt

Sonia joined the Group in 1993, transferring from United Airlines when AIMS Australia was appointed GSA. Sonia gained expansive airline operational and sales experience in numerous territories during her extensive career representing United Airlines, finishing in her role as Manager Offline Australia on 31 October 2007.

In 2005 Sonia joined the Walshe Group board as an Associate Director, Human Resources. In November 2007, she was appointed as GM Human Resources Asia & New Zealand.

Sonia completed a Walshe Group sponsored MBA in 2003.

National Sales Manager Australia - South African Airways, Sydney - Gary Hilt

Gary has more than 18 years international airline experience in all commercial areas. His most recent experience includes 4 years as Australian General Manager for Balinese Airline Air Paradise International, where Gary was responsible for all facets of the company within Australia, including all commercial and airport operations.

Prior to this Gary worked at Garuda Indonesia Airlines in Perth and at Air New Zealand in Auckland in a variety of roles

GM Strategy and Business Development and Key Account Manager - Swiss International Air Lines - Anil Rodricks

Anil rejoined the Walshe Group in his Swiss role in April 2002 when the airline's Australia organisation was converted to the GSA structure. He moved residence to Australia in March 2000 with his family after his role as Marketing and Sales Manager India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Sri Lanka. Prior to that, he headed the Swissair Group company Global Excellence India Pvt Ltd., a GSA, Leisure operator, Representation and Consultancy business.

Since the start of his career in 1979, Anil has worked in every facet of the travel industry including retail, leisure and corporate travel with pioneering companies.

In 2005 Anil joined the Walshe Group board as an associate director, Strategy.

Hawaii Tourism Australia, Sydney - Helen Williams

From 1988 – 1995 Helen was the Product Manager for United Vacations (owned by United Airlines) and her responsibilities included the promoting of Hawaii as an important tourist destination for holidaymakers originating from the Oceania region. She was responsible for marketing, advertising, brochure production, and managing the UV business in Australia. She now operates her own destination representation and consultancy – Travel Management Solutions. In 2001 Travel Management Solutions was appointed an International Representative for the San Francisco and San Diego Convention Visitors Bureaus and Helen has worked alongside the Walshe Group in pitching for and winning the Hawaii Tourism tender.

Helen is actively involved with several industry bodies including the Council of Australian Tour Wholesalers and the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. She is also an active member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers with access to prominent travel writers.

Hawaii Tourism New Zealand, Auckland - Darragh Walshe

Darragh was employed within the Group between 1991 and 2003, and was appointed Marketing Director in 1998. He is a shareholder in the Walshe Group and has recently started up his own marketing consultancy. Darragh also does work for the Irish Tourist Board and New Zealand Triathlon Association. He has earned a reputation as an outstanding Marketing Executive from his innovative and original promotional work. Darragh has represented New Zealand four times in his age group in the World Triathlon Championships, and was the second New Zealander home at the 1999 Hawaiian Ironman