About Us
Fortis Travel is one of New Zealand’s largest privately-owned travel companies. Our head office is located at 3 Vernon Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland.
Fortis Travel was founded in 2012 by Blair Huston and Mandy Nicod. At a time where the rest of the travel industry was focused on quantity rather than quality, we were determined to raise the bar and provide dedicated senior account management for all clients.
The Fortis Travel team is made up of experienced travel advisors who are experts in domestic and international travel. We also have a separate groups and events business, Fortis Events, which specialises in the delivery of conferences, incentives, events and group travel.
Over the past 10 years Fortis has established a reputation for superior service, and the business has grown through recommendations and word of mouth.
We pride ourselves on having exceptional staff that are all senior travel consultants and event managers. For your company, this means no inexperienced consultants working on your account and all requests dealt with by the same advisor, regardless of what type of enquiry it is.
We offer a full travel partnership solution tailored to your business needs, with a strong focus on cost control and data analysis, risk management and use of technology solutions.
Fortis Travel is a proud member of the First Travel Group – NZ’s largest co-operative travel buying group. Our membership affords us enormous buying power with airlines, hotels and other suppliers, as well as additional privileges we are able to pass on to the benefit of our clients.
Fortis Travel is TAANZ (Travel Agent’s Association of New Zealand) bonded, and fully IATA Accredited.
Our Team
We're ready to share our combined years of knowledge and expertise in the travel industry with you. So whether it's business, a holiday, incentive travel or a conference, our team is here to help.
Owners
Team
THE FORTIS
STORY
We pride ourselves on having exceptional staff that are all senior travel consultants and event managers.
Blair Huston
Fortis Travel
Owner and Managing Director
Blair has been involved with the travel industry in New Zealand for nearly 30 years and previously owned Executive Travel before starting Fortis Travel with Mandy. Blair’s proven business acumen and intimate knowledge of the travel industry ensures Fortis remains at the forefront of it. Blair is responsible for the overall direction, strategy and business development of Fortis Travel.
Mandy Nicod
Fortis Travel
Owner and Operations Manager
Mandy has more than 30 years’ travel industry experience, particularly specialising in business travel. Mandy’s superior knowledge and unrivalled industry relationships are a key part of our edge over competitors. Mandy intimately understands the intricate details required to ensure clients’ travel plans are delivered flawlessly. Her straightforward, efficient and personable manner see her manage both client and supplier operations with success.
Joelle Talbot
Fortis Events
Owner and Managing Director
Joelle joined Blair and Mandy in 2016 to establish a separate groups and events business, Fortis Events. With a background in group travel, marketing and communications, she helps bring to life unique experiences for our clients. Joelle loves delivering memorable events both in NZ and overseas, and is passionate about both the events and travel industry.
Kirstin Dickens
Senior Travel Advisor
Kirstin started in the travel industry 26 years ago after spending a year in Japan. She worked for an inbound tour operator and then went into outbound wholesale. After then moving into corporate travel, she found her place in the world. Kirstin still loves what she does, and in particular enjoys interacting with people from all backgrounds and building friendships with clients over the years.
Jo Graham
Senior Travel Advisor
Jo joined Fortis Travel in April 2014. She brings over 25 years of corporate travel industry experience to the Fortis family, including two and a half years working in London.
Jo is passionate about building relationships with both travellers and travel bookers, and establishing a strong understanding of her client’s travel requirements. She thrives on the fast pace of business travel, delivering outstanding customer service and going the extra mile to ensure each traveller has a seamless journey.
Kathryn Manihera
Senior Travel Advisor
Kathryn was involved in the travel industry prior to having her children, and returned four years ago. She is one of our holiday travel experts, while also managing a number of corporate portfolios. Kathryn is passionate about travel and people, and enjoys spending time getting to know her clients so she can create the best travel experience possible for them.
Steve James
Senior Travel Advisor
Starting his travel career in Sydney in 2007, Steve has had vast experience in both retail and corporate travel, as well as booking large groups and solo adventures. Steve’s passionate about constructing amazing trips for his clients, and gets a real kick out of his role in working with them to create the ultimate holiday each time. With a previous background in hospitality, he not only has an eye for detail and strong communication skills, he can also make a mean mojito.
Marianne Larsen
Senior Travel Advisor
Marianne has been a travel agent for more than 30 years, and a travel broker for the last 11 years. During that time she has travelled extensively to parts of Australia, the South Pacific Islands, Asia, USA, UK, Europe, and the Middle East. She also been on a number of cruises to various destinations. These days her favourite destination is anywhere there is great shopping. Marianne proudly works for her clients, ensuring they have the best and most cost effective travel experience possible. For this reason, over the years she has built up a loyal client base.
Nicolette Brown
Senior Event Manager
Nicolette joined Fortis Events in 2017, and has over 20 years experience across event management, communications, marketing and public relations. She has lived and worked in countries as diverse as Japan, Qatar and the Seychelles. She enjoys the variety and creativity of her role at Fortis, including writing customer journey content, event planning, account management, and delivery of events.
Evelyn Yang
Accounts Manager
Evelyn graduated from University of Auckland in 2007 with a degree in Commerce. Since then she has worked in a variety of accounting and finance roles before moving into financial management and budgeting. Evelyn provides and interprets data to guide decision making for both Fortis and our clients, and finds her role both exciting and rewarding.