Midweek Interview with Ensemble Travel Group’s Trish Shepherd

Midweek Interview with Ensemble Travel Group’s Trish Shepherd

In this week’s insightful midweek interview, we pick the brains of Trish Shepherd, Senior Vice President and General Manager (Asia Pacific) of the Ensemble Travel Group.

The challenge for the industry is… There are many – accessibility of content, operating in a low margin environment, finding your own point of difference, remaining relevant, and knowing how to optimise technology for business success

The things I like about my job… The company, my colleagues and our focus on putting our members and suppliers first

And the frustrations are … The entire lack of ownership that has slipped into our industry

If I didn’t work in travel I would be… A chef – I LOVE cooking!

Favourite airline? Our wonderful airline partners who stood with us on Day One. I will always be loyal to them.

My proudest moment was… Reaching the top of Dead Womans Pass enroute to Machu Picchu

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… Telling my parents that I had invited 30 of my nearest and dearest to my 21st and having 200 friends turn up. The local Chinese Restaurant delivered food all evening long.

I try to relax by… Walking on Cronulla Beach with my two dear old Labradors

The last time I feared for my life was… While snow skiing in Thredbo last year, I skiied around a tight bend to almost collide with a young child lying in the snow with no parent in sight. I took an almighty dive to avoid a collision and tumbled a good 100 metres, just missing a number of trees. Luckily all I snapped was my keycard.

If I can, I always try to avoid… Small children on ski runs.

I really wish I had… More hours in the day

The best advice I’ve ever received was… Never confuse who I am with what I do

I don’t understand why people… Are greedy.

My greatest weakness is… Haigh’s chocolate frogs

And my greatest strength is… Being able to look at a situation from many angles

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… Love to find a cure for dementia

If I were prime minister, I would… Legalise gay marriage

If I could be someone else for one day I would be a… Singer – I’m tone deaf

I’ve always wanted to travel to… The Artic Circle

My favourite holiday was… Italy – I love everything about it, the people, the food, the culture and the scenery.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]