Midweek interview with Visit California’s Vanessa Fletcher
We mispronounced Yosemite five times during this interview with Visit Californa’s new director, but she promised not to think less of us for it.
The challenge for the industry is…
Keeping up with the demand, balancing commercial pressures, and staying ahead of the disruptors.
The things I like about my job…
Inspiring people to travel for their passions.
And the frustrations are …
I don’t have any frustrations but my mother in law is a little disappointed that my role takes me to California instead of the UK where she lives, sorry Mum, I’ll just need to take you with me to sunny California.
If I didn’t work in travel I would be…
When I was 12 I said I’d either be a scientist or the first female prime minister… I suppose I could still be a scientist.
Favourite airline?
I plead the fifth.
My proudest moment was…
Making it to Everest base camp.
The naughtiest thing I ever did was…
I’m saving it for when I’m 70… I figure I can be really cheeky and funny when I’m old.
I try to relax by…
Hiking… I getting anxious if I haven’t been up a mountain in a while.
If I can, I always try to avoid…
Getting in a lift… I hate them.
I really wish I had…
I can’t say I wish for anything I’m happy in life, work and love. Wait I take it back right now I wish I had air conditioning in our house!
The best advice I’ve ever received was…
You’ve got two ears and one mouth, note the proportions and use them that way.
I don’t understand why people…
Put milk in their tea straight away… people you need to let it brew for 3 mins then you ad the milk (I’m married to an English man I had to learn).
My greatest weakness is…
Singing Disney Princess Songs.
And my greatest strength is…
Singing Disney Princess Songs.
If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…
Get up and go to work the next day.
If I was prime minister I would…
Give more to the arts, they fuel our soul.
If I could be someone else for one day I would be a…
My dog… she has such a good life
I’ve always wanted to travel to…
So many places, I’ve never been to Palm Spings but I get to go there in February. I am so excited.
My favourite holiday was…
Oooh tough, that’s like asking who is your favourite child. Last year my husband and I did a road trip to San Francisco, hiked Yosemite, and then down through Death Valley.
Hiking through Yosemite national park was definitely the highlight.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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