Home » News » Midweek Interview with Wendy Harch, Head of Marketing, Pricing and Strategy, AAT Kings

26 November, 2013

Midweek Interview with Wendy Harch, Head of Marketing, Pricing and Strategy, AAT Kings

The challenge for the industry is… When talking about challenges, I’m always conscious of generalisations – saying we need to boost service standards for example. There are some companies going to great lengths with staff training and a stronger focus on guest service.

Improving tourism infrastructure is another area we need to focus on, as is the challenge for staffing, particularly in regional areas with lower pay rates than nearby industry like mining for example; this proves a true challenge for the industry. This may be assisted by increasing the number of working holidaymaker visa arrangements.

Finally, now I’m on a roll – no more passenger taxes!

The things I like about my job are… The variety – I can be creative one minute and up to my elbows in numbers the next.

And the frustrations… I’m only six months in to a new role, so no time for frustrations yet.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be a…. A sex therapist (joking, but that got your attention, didn’t it?)

Qantas or Virgin? I love the fact that both lounges offer similar food, so no matter whether I’m travelling Virgin or Qantas, I feel at home, because I’m fussy when it comes to food.

My proudest moment was… Like most parents, I think my two kids are pretty great!

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… When I was eight I threw a ‘Clag’ glue pot at my brother. I negotiated hard with him not to tell my parents, because I thought I would be in trouble for breaking the glue pot. But the trickle of blood from his eyebrow got me in to a lot of trouble.

I try to relax by… I don’t really ‘do’ relaxing. When I have time, I like to go out walking and if it’s near the ocean, all the better.

The last time I feared for my life… This morning….driving from Guangzhou to Hong Kong at 130km/hr in the dark, overtaking over-laden trucks changing lanes without signals the whole way.

If I can, I always try to avoid… Changing nappies.

I really wish I had… Smaller feet.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… Dad always said, “There’s no such thing as ‘can’t’” and “Yeah, but…”, but was the name of a bunyip that lived at the bottom of the garden. Nothing like being pushed for alternate solutions or to think positively from a young age.

I don’t understand why… I’m finding it so hard to answer these questions about myself.

My greatest weakness is…. So far I’ve never learnt to play a musical instrument.

And my greatest strength… I’m soft and tough in equal measure…..?

If I was prime minister I would… Try to make a difference in the areas of health and education.

If I won $1 million on the lottery I would… Not tell anyone.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… My husband – I often wonder how in the world he manages to put up with me, so it would be an interesting exercise?

I’ve always wanted to travel to…. I’ve always wanted to ‘backpack’ through Asia with my two young kids.

My favourite holiday was… Hard to choose between Contiki trip through Europe with my boyfriend (now husband – we got engaged in Venice & bought the ring in Corfu!) and a quintessential beach holiday in Thailand, cocktails and Thai food, sunshine, elephant rides and kayaking.

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

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