Midweek Interview: Craig McLaurin, Director of Sales, Tangalooma Island Resort
The challenge for the industry is…maintaining yield in a industry that is constantly “on sale”.
The things I like about my job…having the opportunity to sell an amazing, unique and diverse destination that is constantly evolving.
And the frustrations are …the lack of knowledge about the incredible array of tourism options available in Brisbane and South East Queensland. It’s not just the Gold Coast!
If I didn’t work in travel I would be…a rock star!
Favourite airline? Virgin Australia, great service all the time.
My proudest moment was…and continues to be watching my sons grow into fine young men.
The naughtiest thing I ever did was…er, pass. No, probably digging up speed humps that were annoying local residents on a main road in Victoria at 4am one morning.
I try to relax by…playing in my band, No Standing, around South East Queensland.
The last time I feared for my life was…New Years morning 1995, taking off from Nice airport and the plane hit an air pocket and dropped very slightly. The way my head felt we dropped 20,000 feet!
If I can, I always try to avoid…flying with a hangover. See above.
I really wish I had…joined a band earlier than 39 years of age.
The best advice I’ve ever received was…Rules are for the guidance of wise men, and the obedience of fools. Thanks Peter Smith.
I don’t understand why people…change their behaviour when they travel. The things you see people do when they leave home!
My greatest weakness is…Barbecue Shapes, the new ones.
And my greatest strength is…accepting people for who they are. Something you learn more about as you get older.
If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…donate money to cancer research, ensure my kids future wealth and buy all the guitars I’ve ever dreamed of owning.
If I was prime minister I would…talk Donald Trump out of running for the presidency. Then give more funds to tourism development and hospitals.
If I could be someone else for one day I would be…Ace Frehley or Slash.
I’ve always wanted to travel to…Egypt and South America. Next on the list.
My favourite holiday was…treking to Mount Everest in 1999 and a family holiday to the American theme parks in 2011 (September, no crowds!). The look on my Harry Potter obsessed son’s face when he walked into the park in Orlando is etched in my memory forever.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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