Home » News » Midweek Interview: Paul Hole, Managing Director & Co-founder, Insider Journeys

14 September, 2016

Midweek Interview: Paul Hole, Managing Director & Co-founder, Insider Journeys

The challenge for the industry is … continuing to be relevant in the ever changing and increasing options for how prospective travellers can buy holidays. For travel agents its about having the knowledge, skills and right partners to help shift conversations from room night pricing and back to the joy of the holiday so they can showcase their expertise in planning unforgettable holiday experiences.

The things I like about my job… thinking about and travelling to Asia, the Insider Journeys’ team and their passion for Asia and hearing the great stories from our past passengers about their experiences.

And the frustrations are … the continuing comoditisation of what we do and the fact that too many prospective travellers have been conditoned to start with the per night room rate, rather than the entire holiday experience. The old cliche still holds: a year after a holiday you don’t remember how much you paid for the room, but you will remember forever the stories and the experiences you had.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be… Working on the creative side of advertisng and brand development.

Favourite airline?… I like different airlines for different reasons – and that’s all I’m saying on the subject.

My proudest moment was… From a professional perspective starting my own business and surving the critical first 3 years of being in business.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…pass

I try to relax by… spending time with my family.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… Life is not fair… once you accept that it you can be a lot more likable, happy and successful.

I don’t understand why people… need to be rude. We all have our moments, but some people operate in that mode as a choice.

My greatest weakness is… apparently I can be overly sensitive according to my wife.

And my greatest strength is… Creating a plan, communicating the plan and bringing the team along on the journey.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… buy a little beach shack on the east coast.

If I was prime minister I would… hope that I was brave enough not to speak in sound bites and spark real discussion about real issues and not get lost in what newspapers and radio shock jocks seek to distract us with to drive their owners own agendas.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be … WiIl Pharell, he is my kind of clever silly funny

I’ve always wanted to travel to…Spain and Croatia, oh and Iran, oh and…………..

My favourite holiday was… all of them.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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