Meet the Private Groups Team

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Geckos has a highly experienced Private Groups team who can help you organise your overseas adventure. Our consultants have travelled to all corners of the globe and are amazingly passionate about travel. This expertise and passion shows through in their dedication to make every group's experience the best possible.

Lauren Howard – South East Asia & China Specialist

Lauren's favourite things about travelling through Asia are the interaction with different cultures, the shopping, and, of course, the food! She has eaten and shopped her way through Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and, most recently, China. Highlights include cooking classes in Chiang Mai, Bali and Yangshou. Since experiencing her first taste of scuba diving at Phi Phi Island in Thailand, Lauren has been dreaming of exotic dive destinations to visit – top of the list is exploring the wrecks of the Egyptian Red Sea. Closer to home, Lauren can be found catching up with friends and family, curled up with a good book, or cheering on the mighty Hawks!
What item would Lauren never travel without? After travelling through Asia, Lauren would never travel without a roll of toilet paper!

Zoe Rust – Europe & India Specialist

Zoe is originally from the UK and has spent time living and working in France and Spain, soaking up the local lingo. Whilst Zoe has a love for all things European and also holds a flame for India, her other adventures have taken her through Sri Lanka, South East Asia, and Central America. When travelling Zoe enjoys trekking, feasting on local food and learning a few words in the local language. Closer to home she enjoys a swim at the beach, yoga and has taken up Bollywood dance classes!
What item would Zoe never travel without? Her swimmers! Zoe is always looking for an opportunity to take a plunge in a pool or the ocean, have a spa or just enjoy a relaxing

Jason Wass – Middle East & Central Asia Specialist

Jason has been working in the travel industry since 2003, both in Australia and overseas, and has travelled to some amazing places during that time including Iceland, Bahrain, and Burma (Myanmar) to name just a few. Jason lives for travel and his real passion lies in tailoring tours to the Middle East, Morocco and Central Asia. Since joining Gecko’s he has travelled extensively in Egypt, Jordan and Syria. He is a big fan of falafels and when he’s not travelling or enjoying a Falafel, he can be found at the local soccer stadium cheering on Melbourne Victory!
What item would Jason never travel without? His sleeping mask. Great for getting a good nights sleep on an overnight train journey or flight.

Erin Aquino – Africa & Nepal Specialist

Since starting at Gecko’s in 2005, Erin has been lucky enough to travel to Africa, Nepal, India, China, Tibet, Cambodia, Thailand and, more recently, Central America. Whilst Erin enjoys travelling to many different countries around the world, her real passion resides within Africa and Nepal. Apart from working with brilliant people, the main reason Erin loves her job is because she gets to spend all day dealing with the ins-and-outs of her favourite continent, Africa! Having spent five months exploring Africa she lists her favourite countries as Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and Namibia. At home she enjoys spending time with her family and her furry child (Dog that is.... not a hairy human) and always waits patiently for her next adventure!
What item would Erin never travel without? Her pegless clothes line. Particularly handy for travelling in Africa and Nepal.

Andrew Dwyer – Latin America, Australia & New Zealand Specialist

Andrew is the funniest member of the team (his claim, not ours!). He has worked in the travel industry since 2004 and has worked and studied overseas in places as far apart as the Czech Republic, Argentina and South East Asia. His favourite food would have to be a close tie between Shan noodles (in northern Burma) and Argentinian pastries. Andrew has a love of all things Latin American and his adventures have taken him through Peru, Chile and Argentina. When he’s not travelling the world he enjoys staying a little closer to home and exploring Australia and New Zealand. He has a keen interest in languages and is currently studying Spanish and French. You’ll often find he and Zoe talking about the rest of the team in Spanish (nothing bad, though!).
What item would Andrew never travel without? A pair of thongs (flip-flops) – you never know when you’ll come across a communal shower, have sore feet after a day of trekking, or an opportunity to relax on a beautiful white-sandy beach!

Dawn Maxa Groups Business Development & Sales Manager

Dawn has worked at Gecko’s since 2000 and has been lucky enough to join quite a few Gecko’s tours in that time, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Namibia, Italy, Nepal, Cambodia and Antarctica to name just a few. She has worked within the private groups team for a number of years and has extensive experience organising and tailoring tours for School and Corporate groups as well as specialist tours for sporting clubs and other associations. As well as enjoying the foreign culture and food when travelling, Dawn’s adventures have also enabled her to further explore her love of travel photography and trekking. When she’s not travelling the world Dawn can often be found enjoying a run around the famous Melbourne ‘Tan’ or relaxing with some Yoga.
What item would Dawn never travel without? A good book or two. Passing the time whilst travelling on long journeys on planes and trains or just reading on the beach or by the pool.