Midweek Interview with Carl Forrest

We sit down for a quick chat with Dunkeld Royal Mail Hotel general manager.

The challenge for the industry is… in the changing face of hotel technology we must ensure we maintain a personable experience with our guests. By implementing spas at the Mt Sturgeon Cottages, kitchen garden tours, fire pit, personalized Homestead dinner, helicopter lunches from Melbourne, even the booking system, Royal Mail Hotel is consistently revolutionizing their guest experience.

The things I like about my job… managing and driving a destination product is tough but Dunkeld is an amazing place. Steeped in Australian pastoral history and I am blessed with an amazing team who I love inspiring.

And the frustrations are … suppliers who do not fulfill our orders correctly. We can’t exactly head to the corner store for goods.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be… a fighter pilot in the air force. As a 10 year old Top Gun was my inspiration.

Favourite airline? Air New Zealand continues to amaze me with a service philosophy that is genuine and authentic. Tired product can be always be overcome with great service.

My proudest moment was… selling a bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1945 for $12,000.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… I really had to have a decent swig of that 45 Mouton.

I try to relax by… walking up Mt Sturgeon or Mt Abrupt in the Grampians. The peace and majesty of this mountain range is a must for everyone to experience.

The last time I feared for my life was… I was scuba diving at the Cod Hole off Lizard Island and 3 reef sharks got very excited at the pilchards I was carrying in my diving bag. Lesson learnt.

If I can, I always try to avoid… kangaroos and wallabies whilst driving in the country.

I really wish I had… not driven 12 hours to the Super Rugby final in Sydney last year to watch my team the Crusaders lose.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… “Leaders lead” sound advice from Robert Murray an industry stalwart who was one of my first GM’s in Auckland.

I don’t understand why people… hide behind their keyboards and send an email then call you to “did you get my email”.

My greatest weakness is… Malaysian food. Seriously addictive and I always put on 5 kilos when I visit there every year.

And my greatest strength is… passion. I love my industry and I am very passionate about the people who want to learn and grow within it.

If I was prime minister I would… appoint myself as the Minister of Tourism. Imagine how much could be achieved if the leader of the country fulfilled this important role.

If I won $1 million on the lottery (aside from travelling), I would… announce my mid-life crisis by buying an Aprilia Mile bike and creating a trust fund for my 14 nieces and nephews.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… Malcom Turbull so I could clear the air with a leadership spill motion.

I’ve always wanted to travel to… Maldives with its clear water and white sand.

My favourite holiday was… just recently in magical Kakadu in the Northern Territory. It was the first time in 14 years my parents and siblings had been together.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

carl forrest midweek interview Royal Mail Hotel