The Founder (1964- 2006)
Magnetic South is founded on the passion, knowledge and insights of Anne Wilks. Through her understanding of the inbound travel industry, she developed Magnetic South from its infancy into what can now be called a truly Australasian-Pacific company. Annie said “This is our home and where our expertise lies. We are hugely passionate about what we do, and immensely proud to promote this area of the world.”
Anne always believed experience was the key to a successful business, and through her charismatic and infectious personality she attracted staff who not only share the same passion, but have long combined experience in the inbound travel industry.
Tragically, in December 2006, Anne lost a long and brave fight against breast cancer. While we all miss Anne, her gorgeous smile, and sense of humour, the dedicated team at Magnetic South is committed to ensuring the company continues to flourish in her honour.
Magnetic South and House of Travel formed a partnership in 2003 for MAGS to provide domestic content to House of Travel. After 2006, MAGS became a wholly owned business within the HOT group of companies.
House of Travel
Chris Paulsen had a dream that travel could be delivered to the consumer in a different way. He gathered support and established a private company called House of Travel in 1987, opening the first outlet in Timaru.
For the first two decades, House of Travel opened a New Zealand retail outlet on average every nine weeks. House of Travel moved into the Australia market in 2007 which took the Group's turnover to over $1 billion, while employing in excess of 1300 employees between the two countries.
In 2004 House of Travel entered the online space and launched the award winning aggregated booking website houseoftravel.co.nz, which is the only technology of its kind in the world, providing customers with unparalleled flexibility and freedom of choice.
In Australia, House of Travel operates the outbound wholesale companies Fiji and Pacific Specialist Holidays and Asia Specialist Holidays providing wholesale product to these popular destinations. House of Travel also operates a mobile travel agency service, under the Travel Managers brand, offering an experienced and skilled network of personal travel managers.
Chris believes in a strong positive culture as the foundation stone on which to continue to build a very successful business. Challenging the status quo and employing ‘travel nuts’ - fun people with a very real depth of talent and a passion for travel. Taking the customer’s needs seriously is imperative, as is building long-term strong partnerships with our suppliers, which are mutually beneficial. Being part of the communities within which we operate and living our business values: trustworthiness, integrity, being upfront, open and honest, being unselfish - the customer’s needs always come first, maintaining independence - being the consumer’s advocate, being committed to a partnership and being proactive and creative.
