Midweek Interview with AYANA’s Thomas Demesmaker
This week, we took AYANA Komodo Resort’s Cruise Director, Thomas Demesmaker, for a spin. That’s to say we interviewed him, not that he’s a test car or anything.
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE INDUSTRY IS…
Maintaining the balance between managing a thriving successful business and ensuring enough time, care, and genuine consideration goes towards our ecosystems.
THE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT MY JOB…
Quite simply, I love what I do – and I get to reside in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations.
AND THE FRUSTRATIONS ARE…
That not enough businesses are putting enough effort into education and awareness of the environment. I believe we could all do a little more to reduce our footprint.
IF I DIDN’T WORK IN TRAVEL I WOULD BE…
Anything that involved the creation of new projects… but in a stunning location of course!
FAVOURITE AIRLINE?
I’ve almost been using the same airline for the past few years around Asia, but for long-haul flights, I use Qatar Airways. They offer great value and I have always had good experiences.
MY PROUDEST MOMENT WAS…
Today, when I keep realizing that after nearly 15 years in tourism, I still enjoy it as much as when I started, if not more. More than being proud, I feel lucky that I have found the right career path.
THE NAUGHTIEST THING I EVER DID WAS…
Can’t recall… I might not be that bad after all.
I TRY TO RELAX BY…
It varies between yoga, learning Ukulele, spend hours on YouTube…
THE LAST TIME I FEARED FOR MY LIFE WAS…
During a dive trip to Thailand, I went too deep for my level and experience (around 100 dives). I thought I would never come back to the surface!! This dive settled the level of safety I have been putting in my practice since then. I have accumulated around 7,000 dives and am now a very confident diver.
IF I CAN, I ALWAYS TRY TO AVOID…
People bringing negative energy and imposters in general.
I REALLY WISH I HAD…
The ability to sleep four or five hours and run full of energy all day.
THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS…
“Success rarely comes from not putting the right amount of work.”
I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE…
Use single-use plastic items and then complain without doing anything to change the situation.
MY GREATEST WEAKNESS IS…
Lack of trust in people and to do too many things at the same time.
AND MY GREATEST STRENGTH IS…
My curiosity and passion in everything I do.
IF I WON A $1 MILLION LOTTERY (ASIDE FROM TRAVELLING), I WOULD…
Sharing is caring.
IF I WAS PRIME MINISTER I WOULD…
Give the job to someone more competent and then resign. Or I would try to do the opposite of what the usual Prime Ministers do.
IF I COULD BE SOMEONE ELSE FOR ONE DAY I WOULD BE…
Elon Musk.
I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRAVEL TO…
Places where I can find things that only exist in those places.
MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY WAS…
A one year trip backpacking in South America in 2003-2004.
My plan was to travel for three months from Peru to Mexico but I ended up staying for a year and still never went to Mexico. This trip literally changed my life.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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