Midweek Interview with Sarah Pogson, Travelscene 2012 Consultant of the Year
The challenge for the industry is… the ever changing face of travel. We need to be ready to connect with our clients in more innovative ways (e.g. social media), and provide more value-add options for their travel. We also need to harness the internet and make it work for us, rather than against us.
The things I like about my job are… my clients and my colleagues. I love being able to experience first-hand destinations and suppliers in my own travel, and on famil trips. I also like being able to attend events like the Travelscene American Express National Consultant Conference.
The frustrations… are all the things we cannot control. Ash clouds, tornados, earthquakes, flight cancellations and schedule changes.
If I did not work in the travel industry I would be a… veterinary nurse, who in her spare time travels and volunteers at the African Painted Dog Conservation Centre in Zimbabwe.
Qantas or Virgin? Qantas.
My proudest moment… was winning the “Consultant of the Year” award at the Travelscene American Express National Consultants Conference, and being able to tell my mum she needed to get her first passport, to come with me on my grand prize – a Uniworld European river cruise!
My naughtiest moment was… bar hopping in Koh Samui with the girls on my Intrepid tour. My first (and last) hangover – but thankfully no tattoos or monkeys were involved.
I try to relax by… reading and writing. Also watching movies and catching up with my favourite TV series on DVD.
The last time I feared for my life was… when I visited the Great Wall of China. It was a very windy day, and I was afraid I would blow off!
If I can I always try to avoid… missing a flight! I always get sweaty palms before I fly, and only feel calm once I get to the airport.
I really wish I had… the ability to teleport. It would eliminate my morning and afternoon commute, and make airport check-in a thing of the past!
The best advice I ever received was… be yourself, and never lose sight of the big picture.
I don’t understand why… there are still travellers who do not use a travel agent. The internet can give you a million options, but a travel agent can tell you which option out of the million suits you. I have a favourite repeat client who tells me she loves being able to book with me, as she avoids all the added stress of trying to book her holiday herself. She goes on holiday to avoid stress – not to create more! By booking with me she knows everything is taken care of, and all she has to do is pack and relax.
My greatest weakness is… chocolate and white chocolate raspberry liquorice bullets in particular.
My greatest strength is… my attention to detail when it comes to itinerary planning. This skill also makes me the go-to girl in the office when it comes to visa application and document dressing.
If I was prime minister I would… hope I had a good team to advise me and would be thankful to represent the best country in the world.
If I won $1,000,000 in the lottery I would… pay off my mother’s mortgage and buy myself a home close to work. I would donate some to my favourite charities, and then invest the rest for future travel!
If I would be someone else for the day I would be… Sir Richard Branson, preferably on a Virgin Galactic flight.
I’ve always wanted to travel to… the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, Russia, and Scandinavia… The list just keeps getting longer!
My favourite holiday was… Africa. Overland from Nairobi to Victoria Falls, with a jaunt into the Masai Mara, and an extension to Hwange National Park at the end. Seeing the big five all in the one day in the Serengeti was an ultimate highlight. I would love to go back and explore more!
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest 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.