Midweek Interview with Rachael Seymour, director of Cornerstone People Solutions

By admin


The challenge for the industry is…. That many retail travel agents are being reactive rather than proactive in their approach to beat online providers. There are simple sales strategies to overcome the need to defend their worth and set them up for greater success.

The things I like about my job are….…Working with our clients to strengthen their travel business – whether they are a one man band or a national brand.

And the frustrations… Not being able to share the message about “how to be a better travel consultant” with more people

If I didn’t work in travel I would be a… Real estate agent.  If you can’t sell people their dream holiday you might as well sell them their dream home!

Qantas or Virgin?  I love both!  Qantas have just been amazing over the last month as I have travelled the country in a moon boot!  Their service was out of this world at every airport and on every aircraft.  I also love to travel Virgin as they ooze an infectious energy that always inspires me.

My proudest moment was….Watching our four children in tears of laughter and enjoying each others company on a recent trip away.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… Momentarily borrow a tuk tuk for a little spin around the Bangkok streets.

I try to relax by… Baking and remembering to laugh out loud as much as possible.

The last time I feared for my life….I was being driven from Newcastle to Sydney through the recent bushfires.  Some quick thinking (by Lisa at HTG) and a highway crossing in the yellow 4 wheeler saved the day.

If I can, I always try to avoid… Doing tequila shots!

I really wish I had… Not had that last drink!

The best advice I’ve ever received was… To service the person in front of you and not the queue.  A lesson that every travel agent should embrace.  Make the most of the opportunity in front of you.

I don’t understand why… People see the glass as half empty.

My greatest weakness is…. My optimism.  Some would describe my positive outlook as unrealistic.

And my greatest strength is… To get along well with others.  I love working with people and helping them set and achieve goals.

If I was prime minister I would… Introduce better funding to train existing travel agents.

If I won $1 million on the lottery I would… Take my family on a one year, every continent, round the world extravaganza.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… My friend who works at Cadbury.  He is involved in the creation of new chocolate bars.  Yum Yum!

i've always wanted to travel to… I’ve always wanted to travel around the world from one sporting event to another.  That day will come.

 My favourite holiday was….To the Maldives on my honeymoon.

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