AAT Kings NSW/ACT State Sales Manager spills the tea on all things travel, New Zealand and how he wished he invested in Bitcoin. Don’t we all, Gareth. Don’t we all.

The challenge for the industry is…

The ever changing selling landscape, with the consumer having more and more choices, everyone needs to find ways to stay relevant within the industry and to the consumer.

We need to keep innovating and staying up to date with what guests are after, with more and more clients after that óff the beaten track, ‘once in a lifetime adventure, we need to ensure we can deliver that.

The things I like about my job…

Every day is different from the one before. There are constantly new challenges in sales, and many different projects to juggle, meaning there is no time to be bored.

AAT Kings always gives me opportunities to explore the corners of Australia and New Zealand I have not had the chance to previously, going to new locations with the experts! I am especially looking forward to experiencing Tasmania for the first time this month, to see what all the hype is about!

I’m thankful that I have the chance to explore areas with AAT Kings that I simply wouldn’t get around to on my own. I’ve been wanting to cruise down the untouched Gordon River and hike through the ancient forests of Cradle Mountain for a while.

And the frustrations are …

Being new to the role with AAT Kings, having to build new relationships, starting afresh. I often feel like I need to have two of me, to be in multiple locations at the same time.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be…

Golf Superintendent, love to play golf, but also being outdoors in the fresh air.

Favourite airline?

Air New Zealand. Have to be loyal to my national airline, but their service is second to none.

My proudest moment was…

Finishing the Six Foot Marathon earlier this year. It was so much more difficult than any other race I had done previously, without my girlfriend’s support I think I may still be lying by the finish line!

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…

Fireworks… enough said.

I try to relax by…

Playing sport, mainly golf and running. As well as socialising with friends and family.

The last time I feared for my life was…

Eating incredibly hot street food in Bangkok, I thought that was going to be my last meal.

If I can, I always try to avoid…

Being late! It makes me start to sweat just thinking about it.

I really wish I had…

Invested my money in Bitcoins at the beginning!

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.

I don’t understand why people…

Order a half strength, decaf, flat white with 2 sugars.

My greatest weakness is…

Going home on time after a work event

And my greatest strength is…

The ability to adjust and adapt. This is an ever changing industry and role, and so I need to be able to keep on top of it all.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…

Go through with one of my many crazy business ideas. There are too many to name, but this would be the perfect opportunity to put one into action

If I was prime minister I would…

Give the country more public holidays, so people have more time to explore their own backyard!

If I could be someone else for one day I would be a…

Professional Golfer

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

The Kimberley! One of the world’s last wilderness frontiers and top of my AAT Kings travel wish list.

My favourite holiday was…

Exploring my own backyard, going to the special destinations in New Zealand, places that a lot of people only dream about!

I have been to Milford Sound more times that I can count, but every time I go there, I see something new, that I haven’t seen before, that just makes me want to go back and explore it again and again.

Would you like to take part in our Midweek Interview? Get in touch with Travel Weekly Editor Daisy Doctor here to get the ball rolling.