Midweek interview with MTA’s Jackie Pennock

Midweek interview with MTA’s Jackie Pennock

Travel Weekly got the 411 from MTA’s business development manager for NSW and the ACT, although we can’t confirm exactly what that means.

The challenge for the industry is…

To remain imaginative, fluid and flexible.  In my career, I’ve seen the collapse of Ansett, 9/11, SARS, wars in the Gulf and Middle East, devastating natural disasters and more recently terrorism in the heart of Paris, London and Sydney.  Yet our business continues to thrive.

New challenges will be environmental and ‘over tourism’ where iconic places like Venice, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat are swamped, trampled or trashed by tourists. Even our own Great Barrier Reef, is threatened by climate change and development.

Globally, there are so few places which are remote or inaccessible. We all need to play a part in protecting the environment and preserving, national treasures and irreplaceable global icons for future generations.

The things I like about my job…

The people I’ve worked with throughout my career.  I have friends and connections all over the world. Life is fun, full and no two days are the same.

In my current role, it’s personally rewarding to play a part in helping women in the industry take control of their future and successfully building their own businesses and earning what they deserve.

And the frustrations are…

Information overload – it streams in online every day  – but it is impossible to live without.

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

A farmer. Love to get my hands dirty and not look at a computer.

Favourite airline?

Depends on where I’m going. The one with the most direct service is always the first choice.  But I do try to stay loyal to build points.

My proudest moment was…

Anything and everything to do with my son.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…

Really, as if I’d tell here.

I try to relax by…

A beach with a palm tree, French champagne and good company.

The last time I feared for my life was…

Never have.

If I can, I always try to avoid…

Drinking tap water.

I really wish I had…

The ability to speak every language in the world.

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

Don’t drink the water.  Always travel with a smile.  Timing is everything.

If I won a millon dollars in the lottery I would

Keep it a secret and give it away secretly.

If I was prime minister I would…

Take a leaf from the Kingdom of Bhutan and measure our Gross National Happiness.

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

Don’t want to be anybody else but I would love to spend a day with HRH Queen Elizabeth.

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