Midweek Interview with Fulvia Montresor, Senior Director, Hotwire.com
The challenge for the industry is….the industry and consumer expectations are evolving so quickly, accelerated by factors like mobile adoption, social trends, personalisation expectations and destinations changing in popularity. Anyone operating in the travel industry really needs to be on top of, and ahead of, these trends in order to stay competitive.
The things I like about my job are…being a part of offering great travel savings for travellers with a love of the spontaneous and a sense of adventure. And what's not to love about surfing travel websites learning about great deals and being able to say it's legitimately part of my job?
And the frustrations….Hotwire sells a fantastic product, however some find our ‘opaque' model difficult to understand. So I wish I could find a way to speak to all potential customers for 60 seconds to explain it. In short, you save up to 50%, but you don't see the hotel name when you book as hotels with empty rooms which need to sell at a discount want to protect their image. See — less than 60 seconds.
If I didn't work in travel I would be a…. psychologist. I hear it's one of the happiest professions. You get to help folks, have lots of social interaction and understand what makes people tick.
Qantas or Virgin? They are both great airlines. I've never been an airline loyal customer. For any one flight I weigh up the schedule desirability versus price.
My proudest moment was….picking up my toddlers from their day care and having my three year old tell me her one year old sister was crying in the playground so she gave her a hug. I felt like such a great mum raising such caring daughters! In case you are wondering, when I asked if that stopped her crying, the three year old said "nah".
The naughtiest thing I ever did was…I once snuck into a stranger's wedding. This was before the movie the Wedding Crashers made it popular. I was young enough for such a lapse in judgment to be excusable (I hope). They had a very nice wedding as I remember it….
I try to relax by…baking. It's very 1950s of me, I know, but I'm actually not too bad with a beater in hand and copious amounts of sugar. Plus it's a great way to occupy my two toddlers.
The last time I feared for my life….was a very long time ago. But let's just say scuba-diving and I don't mix so well. I really ought to stay on the surface, if I want to preserve any sense of dignity.
If I can, I always try to avoid…the middle seat. Double that if it's the middle seat by the loo.
I really wish I had…paid more attention in my year seven French class.
The best advice I've ever received was…. surround yourself with good people. It's good advice for work, and it's even better advice personally.
I don't understand why… some people don't use all their annual leave. We're all busy, I get that, but we all need a good break now and then. If you need justification, there's studies showing we're much more productive if we can recharge our batteries.
My greatest weakness is…. a good martini. Two at the very most.
And my greatest strength…. persistence.
If I was prime minister I would… be booted out in a hurry. I don't have the stomach for politicking and you'd hear too many unfiltered thoughts.
If I won $1 million on the lottery I would…. enjoy more travel (of course) with my family, host more lovely dinner parties with friends and donate some to an educational cause.
If I could be someone else for one day I would be…a tango dancer. It would be amazing to be so graceful just for a day.
I've always wanted to travel to….Japan. I've been told it's "another world" and just have not managed to get there yet.
My favourite holiday was… It's difficult to choose but a holiday to Santa Margherita Ligure in Italy this year was a perfect combination of beach, great food and culture. I used to think that once I had kids travel would be over. Instead I've found that although it's challenging in different ways, it's also very rewarding as I get to share my love of travel with my kids and see places from a different perspective.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News
Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?