Midweek Interview with Ensemble Travel Group’s Trish Shepherd
In this week’s insightful midweek interview, we pick the brains of Trish Shepherd, Senior Vice President and General Manager (Asia Pacific) of the Ensemble Travel Group.
The challenge for the industry is… There are many – accessibility of content, operating in a low margin environment, finding your own point of difference, remaining relevant, and knowing how to optimise technology for business success
The things I like about my job… The company, my colleagues and our focus on putting our members and suppliers first
And the frustrations are … The entire lack of ownership that has slipped into our industry
If I didn’t work in travel I would be… A chef – I LOVE cooking!
Favourite airline? Our wonderful airline partners who stood with us on Day One. I will always be loyal to them.
My proudest moment was… Reaching the top of Dead Womans Pass enroute to Machu Picchu
The naughtiest thing I ever did was… Telling my parents that I had invited 30 of my nearest and dearest to my 21st and having 200 friends turn up. The local Chinese Restaurant delivered food all evening long.
I try to relax by… Walking on Cronulla Beach with my two dear old Labradors
The last time I feared for my life was… While snow skiing in Thredbo last year, I skiied around a tight bend to almost collide with a young child lying in the snow with no parent in sight. I took an almighty dive to avoid a collision and tumbled a good 100 metres, just missing a number of trees. Luckily all I snapped was my keycard.
If I can, I always try to avoid… Small children on ski runs.
I really wish I had… More hours in the day
The best advice I’ve ever received was… Never confuse who I am with what I do
I don’t understand why people… Are greedy.
My greatest weakness is… Haigh’s chocolate frogs
And my greatest strength is… Being able to look at a situation from many angles
If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… Love to find a cure for dementia
If I were prime minister, I would… Legalise gay marriage
If I could be someone else for one day I would be a… Singer – I’m tone deaf
I’ve always wanted to travel to… The Artic Circle
My favourite holiday was… Italy – I love everything about it, the people, the food, the culture and the scenery.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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