Midweek interview with Suzanne Hart, Director of SHE travels
The challenge for the industry is… Adapting to change. Our clients are much savvier than we give them credit for. We must continually improve, adapt and be flexible with our business model and service offerings if we want to continue to have healthy businesses. Change is good, we must embrace it.
The things I like about my job… I find the process of designing a program from initial concept is one of the most interesting things I do in my job. Researching and getting ‘under the skin’ of a destination is fascinating. And to see it come together, travellers on board, eyes wide open, having the time of their lives, is enormously satisfying.
And the frustrations are … Micro managers! If you contract an industry expert to do a job or manage a project, let them do it! Or do it yourself – simple really!
If I didn’t work in travel I would be… Working in hospitality, either in hotels or restaurants. Not terribly far from travel really! I began my working life in bars and restaurants and I’d go back there without any hesitation. Especially in Melbourne, we have so many fabulous options, wonderful restaurants and interesting, world class venues.
Virgin or Qantas? Qantas, mostly! I do like travelling Virgin to Bali though, the schedules are ideal and I like that they’re full service flights.
My proudest moment was… Stepping out on my own to start a boutique business in 2002. I’ve loved every minute of it, all that I’ve learnt along the way, the good times and the not so great. I’m very proud to say I’m still in business 12 years later, diversifying, working on exciting new projects.
The naughtiest thing I ever did was… Well, the one I can write about publicly! Arriving back to my hotel at 8.30am after a rather big night in Vegas! The walk of fame!
I try to relax by… Surfing. No one can reach me when I’m out in the middle of the ocean bobbing around on a board waiting for the next wave. It’s my ultimate freedom.
The last time I feared for my life was… Getting caught in a particularly large wave on Kuta Reef. It’s called ‘doing the laundry’, the tumbling under the water for what feels like ever, as the wave slams over you, not knowing which was is up. I did really believe for a moment that I might not live to tell that tale. It was terrifying. And a solid reminder of the power of the ocean.
If I can, I always try to avoid… Narrow minded, ignorant people who aren’t open to new experiences, different cultures, different opinions. Shame on them.
I really wish I had… Learnt to play the guitar. Or the piano. I played the trumpet when I was much younger but it’s hard to find one of those at a party!
The best advice I’ve ever received was… Treat everybody the same; speak to people in the same way, no matter whether they are the cleaner, or a company CEO. And remember your manners: please and thank you goes a very long way, and cost nothing.
I don’t understand why people… Can’t accept those who are different to themselves. Surely we should be embracing and celebrating diversity and all the joy that comes with a world of other life experiences? People should travel more.
My greatest weakness is… Tequila. Really good tequila.
And my greatest strength is… my gut instinct. If it doesn’t feel right, it very rarely ever is.
If I was prime minister I would… Give $2000 to young people when they turn 21 to be used only on travel expenses. Encourage them to get out there and see the world, live in another country, spend time with the locals, open their eyes and minds. Travel teaches you life experience you’ll never find in a university or classroom.
If I won $1 million on the lottery I would… Spend a year travelling to places I’d never been, getting to know the oceans of the world. I’d take a great friend of mine who I refer to as my ‘social / green conscience’. She could help me find worthwhile programs to invest in, for the sake of our oceans and our environment, our futures.
If I could be someone else for one day I would be a… Customer Service Manager for an airline on a long haul flight. I travel a lot and I’m fascinated with the job these people do. They have the patience of saints! The professionalism required to deal with a planeload of individuals from every walk of life with nowhere to escape, that is a great skill set. Not sure I could do it but would like to give it a shot!
I’ve always wanted to travel to… Exotic locations – Costa Rica is top of the list right now. I’m very interested in the surf spots and spending some time exploring the country, and of course meeting the locals!
My favourite holiday was… Celebrating a significant birthday recently with some of my best friends. We travelled from New Orleans to Austin, on to Vegas and finished with a week surfing in Punta Mita Mexico. It was a fabulous 3 weeks.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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