Midweek Interview with Craig Syphers, general manager, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport

Midweek Interview with Craig Syphers, general manager, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport
By admin


The challenge for the industry is….making guest satisfaction the number one metric, and from that success will follow.

The things I like about my job are… it provides a multi-faceted work day dealing with associates and guests from a whole range of areas. Never a dull moment!

And the frustrations….there are never enough hours in a day. Maybe I just have too many ideas!

If I didn’t work in travel I would be a…. veterinarian. I love animals and I love the notion of making a difference to that extent.

Qantas or Virgin?…  Virgin! I am proud to say we have a strong, business relationship but I also tend to find their schedules work better for me on many occasions.

My proudest moment was…. successfully shepherding a hotel full of staff and guests through Cyclone Yasi in Cairns, in emergency lockdown. We did not receive one complaint, only thanks.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…. forget to buy more milk… haha.

I try to relax by…running.

The last time I feared for my life…riding a long chairlift in Asia, which stopped due to wind gusts coming off a typhoon!

If I can, I always try to avoid….negative people.

I really wish I had….more time in a day.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… be yourself.

I don’t understand why… bad things happen to good people.

My greatest weakness is…. I’m sure I have one … mmmm.

And my greatest strength…. determination.

If I was prime minister I would… commit to a fairer society.

If I won $1 million on the lottery I would…. bank it and think about it.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… a pilot.

I’ve always wanted to travel to…. New York.

My favourite holiday was…. London, Paris and the Mediterranean.

Latest News

  • Road & Rail

Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern

Great Southern’s Fly and Stay Free special offer will have travellers taking in the views along the east coast between Adelaide and Brisbane next summer. This bright orange locomotive chases the summer sun, sharing the incredible coastline with those who want to experience it by train. The journey reflects the best of Australia, from charming […]

  • Tourism

Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips

Gen Z travellers prefer to limit alcohol when overseas and have an increased reliance on TikTok when planning a trip, according to a report by StudentUniverse, the world’s largest online travel retailer for young people. The State of Student & Youth Travel Report for 2024 delved into the latest travel sentiments amongst those aged 18-25 […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

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 […]

  • Aviation

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 […]

  • Hotels

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 […]

  • Luxury
  • News

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 […]

  • Partner Content

My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

Partner Content

by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly