Midweek interview with Quasar Expeditions’ Eric Andrews
This week, Quasar Expeditions’ sales and promotions manager told us his deepest, darkest secrets. Lucky for him, we forgot to write them down.
The challenge for the industry is…
The need for instant gratification. From pre-trip to post-trip, travellers seem to be moving towards instant gratification. For example, ticking-off the Galapagos with a four-day cruise rather than waiting until one is able to do the proper 8-day cruise. It’s important that industry professionals educate travellers to NOT be like this.
As an industry professional, timeliness and doing things efficiently is key, but doing them in a hurry and feeding this instant gratification takes away from personalisation and eventually it’s a shot in the foot for everyone, traveller included.
The things I like about my job are…
Being a part of the Quasar Expeditions family, making a difference in cultural and natural preservation, and of course, travelling! This is huge for my personal and professional education, which honestly you cannot get at any University, and it’s an ideal I hope to pass on to my children.
And the frustrations are …
Being away from my family when on business trips (I wish I could take them with me every time!) and sitting at a desk for too long (even if productively doing so).
If I didn’t work in travel, I would be…
A Chef…hopefullly a really, really good one. Elevating Ecuadorean cuisine to Peruvian, Italian, French and, Mexican levels. Good thing I do have my day job though, lol.
My favourite airline is…
The one that can get me from Point A to Point B on time, without me having to bend my knees up to my chest to sit down or pay for a sandwich in economy class.
So, looks like I don’t have a favorite then, lol, though I do try to stick to one consortium, One World in my case. I’ve been travelling with American Airlines for a long time and, honestly, I can’t complain (because I don’t want to get blacklisted).
*Note to Emirates: If you ever end up flying direct to Ecuador, I’m yours!
My proudest moment was…
The birth of my son, Lucas Daniel, in December last year.
The naughtiest thing I ever did was…
Probably shouldn’t be published. Unless…. You take me to a boozer, buy me a slab of beers and then, possibly, out comes the yabber. Off the record of course and fake names must be used to protect all of those involved!
I try to relax by…
Not thinking. Best way to do that is spending time with my kids, listening to music, dancing, and/or making fun of Trump.
The last time I feared for my life was…
March 2011, I had a perforated esophagus (long story, one of those congenital issues) and though during the process I was very positive about things, reality hit later, and that was the scary part.
If I can, I always try to avoid…
Angering my beautiful, amazing, awesome wife… and daughter… and mother in law.
I really wish I had…
Learned to save money rather than spend it. Though I have spent it with the best of intentions! That counts for something right?
The best advice I’ve ever received was…
Save your money.
I don’t understand why people…
Assume, jump to conclusions, and not think for themselves, i.e. don’t listen, and/or say what they think people want to hear.
My greatest weakness is…
Not taking care of myself.
And my greatest strength is…
Empathy, zero stereotyping, and open-mindedness. And my very characteristic nose.
If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…
Let my wife manage it (after giving a bit to my mom).
If I was prime minister I would…
Establish direct flights to Quito, Ecuador and make it a mission to have all Australian citizens experience the Galapagos Islands, as well as Ecuador’s culture, the best cocoa in the world, our ancestral cuisine, our lakes, forests, glaciers, and the warm beautiful people.
In my many years of experience, I know for a fact what a life-changing, soul-enriching, mind-blowing, phsyically transforming experience this would be. This, in turn would obviously elevate the Australian citizen’s already amazing standard of life and education to even greater heights. And this could potentially contribute further to saving our wildlife and environment.
If I could be someone else for one day, I would be a…
A rock star, be it a lead singer like Steve Tyler, a composer like Bob Dylan, a guitarist like Slash, or a legendary drummer like John Bonham.
I’ve always wanted to travel to…
The Galapagos, yes, the Galapagos. I’ve been there so many times, worked there, lived there, but not with my family.
Not with my kids. I cannot think of a better experience, unless of course I could extend it with a trip to Iceland, Greenland, ending with Polar Bear tracking in Canda. Let’s not forget African safaris and Antarctica. All of the above actually!
And there’s always Eastern Europe and it would be a perfect idea to add South East Asia to that, too! But I definitely would also need to take the family on a camper trip across the USA and for sure a train ride across Siberia.
Then just before retirement, a little South Pacific islands trip for about a month or two would be perfect.
Oh, and when I retire, move to Australia.
All of the above with my family of course.
My favourite holiday was…
My honeymoon
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Quasar ExpeditionsLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.