Midweek Interview with Kate Baker of UTracks

Midweek Interview with Kate Baker of UTracks

UTracks general manager Kate takes some time out to talk Europe’s scenic landscapes, the perils of bad food and a love of French film.

The challenge for the industry is… staying relevant.

The things I like about my job… the amazing product, offering an affordable product for people to experience cycling or walking through Europe’s most scenic landscapes, working with a fabulous team… and many more.

And the frustrations are… dealing with currency dips.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be… a travel writer.

Favourite airline? Air France for the movies (love French movies!), Thai Airways for the food and Qantas for the great direct service to London.

My proudest moment was… seeing UTracks grow from its infant stages to a market leader 9 years later  – a thriving and relevant product leader offering a broad range of active European holidays to the Australian market.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… cannot divulge such classified information.

I try to relax by… taking a walk in the Alps or Corsica or along the Camino.

The last time I feared for my life was… crossing the road in Sri Lanka.

If I can, I always try to avoid… bad food – life’s too short for that.

I really wish I had… more time to travel.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… always follow your passions.

I don’t understand why people… (some) baulk at the idea of an active holiday.

My greatest weakness is… food and wine.

And my greatest strength is… seeking out the interesting corners of Europe.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… contribute more to my chosen charities.

If I was prime minister I would… tackle climate change head on, properly fund public education, develop a more holistic approach to public health… and much, much more.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… Mahatma Gandhi.

I’ve always wanted to travel to… Kamchatka.

My favourite holiday was… any trip where I’m with my kids and husband and we are actively exploring a new destination such as Catalonia (Spain), the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, hiking around Mont Blanc etc.

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]