Melissa Dighton
Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates
Canterbury, VIC
Travel Advisor
Specialties
Adventure
Cruise
Family Holiday
Premium Airfare
Small Group
1 more+
1 more+
After two decades in the travel industry and personally experiencing five of the world's seven continents, Melissa Dighton is still driven by a desire to share her extensive wealth of travel knowledge with her clients.
I love all kinds of travel and have experienced so much diversity," says Melissa, whose own travels have seen her embracing everything from beach breaks in Fiji to navigating trains in Europe and Japan and embracing the delightful chaos of family holidays with two children in tow. Exploring Africa was a particular highlight though. “From jungles and mountains to deserts and open savannahs as you travel through the continent, the landscape constantly changes but its beauty remains. The human and animal encounters are unique - spending time in an orphanage with local children and trekking the gorillas in Rwanda are moments I will never forget,” she says.
Her passion for her role as a travel advisor stems from the joy of turning an idea into a tangible itinerary. "I love seeing the excitement they feel as the reality of their journey begins and hearing their amazing stories once my clients return."
A standout moment in her career was rebooking a family's dream holiday after their initial plans were cut short due to their son's battle with Leukemia. Melissa took on the emotional task of recreating the trip on their son's return to health, though with a few twists so as not to remind them of what had been. The family’s epic four-week journey took them from snowy adventures in Canada, staying at the iconic Fairmont in Lake Louise, to the theme parks and excitement of Orlando, before finishing with an all-inclusive beach break in Mexico. "Seeing them return, having created the most amazing memories as a family was truly rewarding," says Melissa.
Clients are drawn to Melissa's warm and focused demeanour. She explains, "I am calm, patient, and entirely focused on the client with me. I love to build a connection with them, that has seen many of my clients become more like friends."
Melissa is waiting to help you craft your next extraordinary adventure at Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates.
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EXPERIENCE
21 Years
COUNTRIES VISITED
19 Countries
Get to know me
What is the most amazing experience you have created for a client?
I had the honour of re-booking a family's dream holiday after their initial trip was cut short due to their son's battle with Leukemia. Once he was in remission, they celebrated by booking an epic four-week trip. It included snowy adventures in Canada, Orlando theme parks, and an all-inclusive beach break in Mexico.
What is your number one travel tip?
Do it all! You never know if you will get back to the place you are currently in, so go for it, eat it, experience it. Don't leave with any regrets.
What are your favourite destinations and why?
Africa is my ultimate destination. From jungles and mountains to deserts and open savannas, the landscape constantly changes but its beauty remains. The human and animal encounters are equally unique.
How do you go above and beyond for your clients?
I am calm, patient, and entirely focused on the client and creating not only the journey they came to see me for, but one that exceeds their expectations. I love to build a connection with them, something that allows many of my clients to become good friends.



OUR OFFICE
Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates
Located in our elegant heritage building on the corner of Canterbury and Wattle Valley Road, Ashmore, Harris & James has proudly been Travel Associates' flagship office since the brand was first established in 1998. For 26 years, luxury travel has been our legacy, designing one of a kind holidays for our clients - and we would love to invite you to be a part of it.
MEET THE TEAM
Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates
Christine Bottrell
Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates
Canterbury, VIC
Specialties
All-Inclusive Holiday
+2
+2
Cruise Specialist
Karen Bennetto
Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates
Canterbury, VIC
Specialties
Adventure
All-Inclusive Holiday
+20
+20
Cruise Specialist
Nicole Buhagiar
Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates
Canterbury, VIC
Specialties
Cruise
Family Holiday
+3
+3
Cruise Specialist
Claudette Grand-Court
Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates
Canterbury, VIC
Specialties
All-Inclusive Holiday
Cruise
+15
+15