Midweek Interview with Jared Baker, Managing Director, Escapesdirect.com.au

Midweek Interview with Jared Baker, Managing Director, Escapesdirect.com.au
By admin


The challenge for the industry is… Getting the mix of online convenience and the human touch right – travel agents can earn from online growth too by ensuring customers can engage with them live or online via, oh let’s see, platform.escapesdirect.com.au!

The things I like about my job are… Travel is the best possible experience to sell – it’s precious memories and good times. I love helping people get away for fun and games for a living.

And the frustrations… Changing perception. If we stay set in our ways, innovators roll in and cut our lunch! There’s nothing stopping us from moving and shaking ourselves. Harnessing online tools to complement the personal touch means everyone can share and grow the pie.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be a… I’d say an at home dad, but then I remember there’s a bit more to it than wrestling with my boys all weekend.

Qantas or Virgin? Historically Virgin for disrupting the way it’s done, but I’ve had it good from Qantas lately too so it might be getting closer up there.

My proudest moment was… Seeing our sons practice sports or reading or swiping screens together – like most parents I am awestruck by my kids.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… I didn’t do anything naughty, officer.

I try to relax by… Bikram yoga (actually, it’ll be my first go tonight…)

The last time I feared for my life… Snowboarding off a cliff in Hokkaido. I was thinking uh-oh, there’s no snow down there, it’s going to break me!

If I can, I always try to avoid… Shoe sales. I was once injured as a bystander.

I really wish I had… A million dollars.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… Be prepared (cub scouts).

I don’t understand why… People speed up when I indicate to change lanes.

My greatest weakness is… A little impatience.

And my greatest strength… A positive, can-do attitude.

If I was prime minister I would… Call a snap election and get onto the next question….

If I won $1 million on the lottery I would… We won!? Travel the world flashpacking, seeing new things, sampling cuisines and the way others live.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… My wife. If I could walk a mile in her shoes…

I’ve always wanted to travel to…. Space – the final frontier.

My favourite holiday was…. Hands down, The Ayana with the Baker Boys and Mrs B. Heaven on earth.

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