Maria Tropiano
We chat with Maria Tropiano, senior travel consultant at Bench International.
The challenge for the industry is…
Making sure that we are competitive with the product and prices that we offer.
The things I like about my job…
Putting together itineraries for clients wishing to explore one of the best continents on earth…AFRICA!!!
And the frustrations are …
People wanting to discover all of Africa in just 4 weeks which is not feasible as there are 54 countries within the continent
If I didn’t work in travel I would be…
Fashion Stylist or Wedding Planner
Virgin or Qantas?
Qantas, just because they have direct flights to Johannesburg
My proudest moment was…
Being asked to be a godmother to both of my gorgeous god daughters!
The naughtiest thing I ever did was…
Having one too many drinks in Cape Town on my birthday night out (I blame my friends over there and it being cheap) and breaking the door handle of the hotel shower
I try to relax by…
Taking my husky dog Maverick for a walk
The last time I feared for my life was…
When my friend Amy and I had to get rescued from our canoes on Lake Louise as the wind picked up and we couldn’t row ourselves back
If I can, I always try to avoid…
Supermarkets because I used to be a check out girl in my younger years so it just reminds me of work
I really wish I had…
A private Jet, there are so many places in the world I would love to see
The best advice I’ve ever received was…
Travel while you can. Don’t worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is far more valuable than money.
I don’t understand why people…
Put off until tomorrow what they can do today. Life’s too short
My greatest weakness is…
Shopping on my lunch break
And my greatest strength is…
My patience
If I was prime minister I would…
Give Aussies more annual leave
If I won $1 million on the lottery I would…
Rent a mega yacht and sail the Caribbean for a month with friends
If I could be someone else for one day I would be …
Miranda Kerr
I’ve always wanted to travel to…
Morocco
My favourite holiday was…
Having the opportunity to take my friend on a 5 star self drive trip around Namibia. I have been to Africa 6 times but Namibia really got to me and I left a piece of my heart in Namibia.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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Hi Nicolas, the MidWeek Interview segment is not supposed to be a particularly ‘newsworthy’ piece, but more a lighthearted article where we learn more about people in the travel industry. We loved reading about Maria’s insights and passions!
…yes…. i agree with you hannah… i love reading the segment…. most of the time you learn a lot from the subject… although I don’t remember who says what… but i always remember the great stuff… if you don’t find it interesting then don’t read… this is a free electronic world called the internet… you can read what you want and ignore stuff that doesn’t interest you… hello..
I really cannot see the point of this interview. The discussion is a total nonevent!!