Midweek interview with Ros Young

Tasmanian Walking Company’s sales and marketing head Ros Young takes some time out of the walking season to talk Tassie, the great outdoors and the best dog in the world.

The challenge for the industry is… Differentiating your product from others – there are so many fantastic travel experiences in Australia, we need to help travellers choose how they want to spend their incredibly precious holiday time.

The things I like about my job… Chatting to our guests when they return from our walks. Often when they set off they are still carrying the stress of their daily jobs with them. When they come back, they have experienced the beauty and stillness of the amazing Tasmanian landscape, have met new friends, and completely switched off.

And the frustrations are… Helping people choose which walk to take as all three – Cradle Mountain Huts, Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay Sail Walk – are completely different and so beautiful.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be… Probably a nurse as I enjoy helping people.

Favourite airline? Tasmanian Walking Company is owned by Brett Godfrey and Rob Sherrard so I think I better say Virgin. But just quietly we love Qantas as well for their support of the tourism industry

My proudest moment was… When Tasmanian Walking Company received three gold awards at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards. It was great recognition as to what a great job our guides, operations and office staff do.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… So not telling.

I try to relax by… Tassie is a great outdoors state so I like to run, ride my bike and hang with the best dog in the world.

The last time I feared for my life was… An incredibly rough landing in to Kathmandu when I worked there as a guide.

If I can, I always try to avoid… Late nights!

I really wish I had… A bit more time to spend in the veggie garden (especially at this time of year).

The best advice I’ve ever received was… If you are unsure about something make a decision…if it’s the wrong one you will find out pretty quickly then you can make the necessary changes. Thanks mum!

I don’t understand why people… Don’t change things they are constantly complaining about.

My greatest weakness is… On occasion I have been known to get a little addicted to soap operas.

And my greatest strength is… I do turn the TV off eventually.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… Try and make a small difference in the world. And having travelled there previously I would probably help more with financial assistance for Nepal.

If I was prime minister I would… A woman PM in Australia – never J But if I was I would look at changing immigration policy.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be a… An explorer roaming the world, taking other great walks and photographing amazing landscapes and wildlife.

I’ve always wanted to travel to… Namibia

My favourite holiday was… Trekking in Nepal

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midweek interview Ros Young tasmania Tasmanian Walking Company