Our Team

Chris has been involved in the travel industry for over 17 years, specialising in escorted groups and special event holidays. In 2012 and again in 2022 Chris was recognised as the Tamworth Young Business Person of the Year he is also rated number one on travel agent finder. Other achievements of his include being an APT Top Achiever, Tamworth Young Citizen of The Year and Australian Line Dancer of the Year. In 2022 Chris Watson Travel was awarded the People's Choice Business of the Year in the Tamworth Quality Business Awards. The team has also appeared on multiple occasions as a state finalist in the National Travel Industry Awards: People's Choice Travel Agency of the Year.

Chris loves planning your next dream vacation, making sure you get the best deal and experience of a lifetime. Some of Chris's favourite destinations include the USA, cruising and the South Pacific. Chris has travelled extensively through North America and Europe, as well as the South Pacific, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong – and taken to the seas on no less than 15 cruises!

Janine has been working in the travel industry since 1993 and holds a Diploma in Travel & Tourism. Having travelled extensively throughout Australia and overseas, she loves sharing her first-hand experiences and helping clients plan their well-earned holidays.

Since joining a travel agency in Gunnedah in 1996, Janine has become well-known in the community for her extensive knowledge, experience and friendly approach. She has travelled extensively throughout the USA and believes each state and destination can feel like travelling to a different country, with its own unique landscapes, culture and experiences. Other favourite destinations include Alaska, the UK, Europe, Africa and of course the Maldives! 

From simple flights and weekend getaways to complex overseas itineraries combining hotels, cruises, tours, car hire and more, Janine has the experience and knowledge to create the perfect trip for each client - making travel easy and enjoyable from the very beginning. Get to know Janine on Travel Agent Finder.

With over 17 years of experience in the travel industry, Tina is a highly knowledgeable and passionate travel consultant based in Sydney. Having travelled extensively throughout Europe, Canada, the USA and Asia, she brings firsthand experience and expert advice to every itinerary she creates. Europe is her specialty, with a particular love for the Greek Islands as it holds a special place in her heart as part of her family heritage.

Tina has built an outstanding rapport with her clients by delivering exceptional customer service and creating personalised travel experiences. She specialises in designing detailed, seamless itineraries that combine hotels, rail journeys, day tours, holiday packages, cruises, car hire and more.

Whether you're planning a European adventure, a family holiday or a once-in-a-lifetime journey, Tina has the experience and attention to detail to match you with the perfect trip. She makes the planning process as enjoyable as the holiday itself.

When she's not helping clients plan their next adventure, Tina enjoys travelling with her family and spending time chasing after her two beautiful children. Learn more about Tina on Travel Agent Finder.

Melissah has been part of the travel industry for over 30 years. She specialises in group travel, arranging trips and tours for businesses, conferences, dance groups, sporting groups and cheer teams.

Melissah has travelled extensively around the world but has a particular love for the USA and Canada. She prides herself on customer service, advice and peace of mind when you travel. Melissah caters to all aspects of domestic and international travel and always goes that extra mile to ensure you have a great experience from beginning to end.

Karen has been in the travel industry for over 30 years and her passion has always been arranging and selling group travel. Karen has had some varied and very interesting groups in the past, from bird watching, train spotting, tracing relatives and even a teddy bear enthusiast group. The highlight of her groups' career was planning and escorting WWI anniversary tours to both Europe and Turkey.

Fun fact: "I did once leave a bag behind at Istanbul airport and when I returned to collect it I was accidentally left in the lost property office which was inside the airport. I thought it weird they allowed me past customs into no man’s land. With no passport and no one speaking English the staff elected to sneak me past security so they didn’t get into trouble. I honestly thought I was going to be either shot or locked up. But thankfully I lived to tell the tale".

Bridget joined the travel industry in 2025, turning her lifelong passion for exploring the world into a career helping others create unforgettable holidays. Although new to the industry, Bridget is dedicated to providing exceptional service and takes pride in creating personalised itineraries that suit each client's travel style and budget.

With a goal of one day visiting every country in the world, Bridget is always looking for her next adventure and loves sharing her firsthand travel experiences with clients. To date, she has travelled to 17 countries, exploring Europe on a Contiki tour, the USA, India, Morocco, Fiji and cruising with Royal Caribbean. Closer to home, she has also explored Tasmania, Perth, Queensland and New South Wales.

For Bridget, travel is about creating lifelong memories and meaningful experiences. She looks forward to helping you plan your next adventure with confidence, care and excitement every step of the way.

With a background in hairdressing and office management, Leannda brings a unique blend of exceptional customer service, strong organisational skills and attention to detail to every client interaction. Her experience working closely with people has helped her develop a calm, professional approach and a genuine commitment to creating positive experiences for clients and colleagues.

Having lived in both the UK and Canada, Leannda has embraced different cultures and lifestyles, sparking a lasting passion for travel and discovering new destinations. These experiences have given her a deep appreciation for meaningful travel and the memories it creates.

As Chris Watson's Executive Assistant and the welcoming face at reception, Leannda plays an important role in supporting clients and the team, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly. She takes pride in creating a warm, friendly environment while providing reliable support behind the scenes. Travel has always been an important part of her life, and she is excited to begin this new chapter in the travel industry and see where her journey takes her.

Mary has over 35 years of travel industry experience. She has travelled extensively and hosted many group tours.

She loves to travel and discover new destinations, but especially enjoys travelling through Europe and exploring her family heritage.