Midweek Catch-up with La Vie Hotels & Resorts’ Shellia Chang
We had a blast interviewing La Vie Hotels & Resorts’ group director of sales and distributions, and we’re not just saying that to try to blag a hotel stay.
What’s your main goal for this year?
At the beginning of 2022, I made the move from an international hotel chain to an agile, customer and owner-focused independent hotel management company.
As part of working alongside a team of results-driven and commercially savvy international hoteliers at La Vie Hotels & Resorts, the goal is to become the leading independent hotel management company in the Asia-Pacific region.
Personally, my goal is to explore more of the world and spend time with friends and family.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?
The hospitality of the people you meet, the great stories you tell and are told, the everlasting connections you make, the unique experiences, and the endless possibilities at every destination.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Outside of spending time with friends and family, I love being outdoors and active. I also really love reading, which I can do a lot while travelling, and cooking when I am at home.
Have you managed to do any travelling since restrictions began to ease (domestic or international)?
Working for a fast-growing company such as La Vie has led to a lot of travelling for me this year, which has been really exciting off the back of the pandemic and lockdowns.
So far this year I have travelled to Melbourne, Hobart, and some regional domestic areas.
When it comes to international travel I have been lucky enough to visit Singapore, Sri Lanka (Kandy, Colombo and Galle), Bangladesh (Dhaka), and Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket), which are all some of the cities where we have opened new hotels this year.
What’s your favourite travel company, besides the one you work for?
I love to tour with local companies, and really source out any bespoke experiences. I think they are simply the best way to see different cities.
If you could invite three famous guests (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would you choose?
Someone to make the food – Gordon Ramsay, someone to tell the stories – The Obamas (I can’t pick one), and someone to entertain – Aretha Franklin.
What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the global pandemic hit?
For me, (and I think for most people) the pandemic has given us the opportunity to pause, rethink, regroup and refocus personally and professionally.
The travel and hospitality industry experienced the greatest hit globally. The positive side here has been the shift of focus to digital, automation, workplace flexibility and finding new ways of doing business.
What’s your advice for others in the travel industry on coping with the global pandemic?
For business owners, innovation, investment in technology and being agile is a must. It has been imperative to invest in the tools and resources for recovery.
As a consumer, we must be patient, be more understanding and support businesses and hospitality workers where we can as we transition out of this global pandemic. The world will be back and no doubt stronger, but it is going to take time and growing pains all over again!
What book and/or TV show can you not get enough of lately?
Currently, I am reading Becoming by Michelle Obama. I read Open by Andre Agassi during my last work trip – I love autobiographies.
What are your current travel goals?
Even though we are almost on Q4, for leisure, I would love to explore New Zealand or Europe, somewhere with lots of green fields, open space, lakes and water, nature, and serenity.
Work-wise, I have frequent trips domestically and within South and Southeast Asia on my calendar, due to La Vie’s rapid growth and expansion. I am most excited to visit our new resort due to open in a very stunning and tropical location later this year!
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Group Director of Sales and Distribution La Vie Hotels & Resorts midweek catch-up midweek interview profile Shellia ChangLatest News
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.