Home » News » Midweek Interview with Tony Strong and Madonna Dwyer, Owners at Helloworld Helensvale Plaza

25 March, 2014

Midweek Interview with Tony Strong and Madonna Dwyer, Owners at Helloworld Helensvale Plaza

The challenge for the industry is… Highlighting the importance of travel agents. Skilled travel agents are worth their weight in gold for travellers who want to create the perfect trip.

Although the internet is a great tool for research and offers convenience, it is always worth consulting an experienced travel agent.

Our consultants are always able to add true value to a customer’s trip through their vast knowledge and travel experience.

The things I like about my job are… Experiencing something new every day, interacting with customers, planning holidays to unique destinations for our regular customers and, most recently, introducing them to our new brand, Helloworld.

And the frustrations… Trying to be everywhere at once.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be a… Lot less grey!

Qantas or Virgin? Both. Competition is important.

My proudest moment was… Aside from launching our new brand, Helloworld, what we do as travel agents consistently provides “proud moments”.

In our industry, it’s really easy to get overwhelmed by the pace and the workload. Every now and then you need to take a step back and look at everything you have done.

What we do as travel agents matters and it always will. That makes us proud!

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… A toboggan run half-naked through an Austrian village. It seemed like a good idea at the time…

I try to relax by… The ocean. It totally changes our mood.

The last time I feared for my life… Was teaching our eldest child to drive. It’s more by feel than by sight and we have since installed bumpers on all her panels.

If I can, I always try to avoid… Conflict. There’s usually a better way to resolve situations.

I really wish I had… Super powers – being Superman and Wonder Woman would be awesome, even just for a day.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… Don’t sweat the small stuff.

I don’t understand why… Food always tastes better when someone else makes it.

My greatest weakness is… Good wine.

And my greatest strength… The ability to pick good wines.

If I was prime minister I would… Build a community for Australia’s homeless by utilising the services of our unemployed.

If I won $1 million on the lottery I would… Invest it wisely and turn it into $20 million. $1 million is not that much these days.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… Warren Buffett. We’d be happy with the $37 million he made every day last year.

I’ve always wanted to travel to… Rio for Carnival.

My favourite holiday was… A recent family trip to Whistler in Canada. To have all the kids together in such an awesome location was an amazing experience.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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