Midweek interview with Andrea Morgan, Industry Account Manager NSW/ACT, Adventure World
The challenge for the industry is…
Many consumers and clients have a misconception that they can always find a better deal online. Often with more complicated itineraries and off-the-beaten-track destinations, a travel agent will be the best bet in obtaining clients the best deal, making their dollar go further and ensuring that they have a seamless and enjoyable experience from start to finish. The years of experience, destination knowledge and passion agents bring to their work can benefit clients and provide them with support pre- and post-travel, bringing a personal touch to travel which money simply cannot buy!
The things I like about my job… I relish the opportunity to build personal relationships with my agents. It’s all about them, and from a head office level right down to an individual agent level, I enjoy being able to share my love of travel and our unique portfolio of destinations with them to enable them to better understand that Adventure World is all about those unique wildlife experiences from the plains of Africa to the frozen landscapes of Antarctica.
And the frustrations are … The amazing depth of product that has! It’s added about 50 years of travelling to my bucket list, which was already lengthy.
If I didn’t work in travel I would be… Xiaolongbao dumpling maker. I love watching the speed and dexterity with which dozens of these delicate and delicious parcels of soupy goodness are made, but I’m sure I would eat as many as I could make.
Favourite airline? The one taking me to my next destination.
My proudest moment was… Travelling to Antarctica last year (my 7th continent, and a proud achievement).
The naughtiest thing I ever did was… I was the ultimate hide and seek champion! I hid so long and well that my sister thought I had run away and would have to explain it to our parents.
I try to relax by… Wine, laughter and song…
The last time I feared for my life was… Not realising how hot a ghost chilli was in an eating competition. I seriously thought, “This is it! This is how I go…”
If I can, I always try to avoid… Warm beer, unless I’m in England, where you generally have no choice.
I really wish I had… A magic flying carpet which could take me from Machu Picchu to the Taj Mahal in the blink of an eye. Or a time machine. If only to go back and be part of the original and epic journey across Central Asia in the 1970s that gave birth to the Exodus Travels of today!
The best advice I’ve ever received was… Pants first, then shoes. Shirt first, then gloves. You can see the theme emerging…
I don’t understand why people… Walk and look at their phones. They’re missing out on so much!
My greatest weakness is… Sharing the oyster platter…
And my greatest strength is… 42 oysters in one sitting (true story)
If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… Assist in funding a Treadright Foundation project, such as the Happy Hearts Fund project which Adventure World is supporting to rebuild a school in Nepal which was damaged in the 2015 earthquake. Or I’d buy an oyster farm, and nom to my hearts’ content! Shucks Ahoy!
If I was prime minister I would… Take travel subsidies away from politicians and give them to travel agents!
If I could be someone else for one day I would be a… I kinda like being me. But maybe my husband, just so I could find out what type of travel companion I am.
I’ve always wanted to travel to… Iran. Isfahan is calling!
My favourite holiday was… The Galapagos Islands – like Alice through the Looking Glass, each island boasts unique bio-diversity of flora and fauna which is truly astounding. Stepping onto each island was like a whole new world.
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