Midweek Interview: It’s Egencia’s Matt Christie

We chat with Egencia’s Managing Director Matt Christie about all things travel!

The challenge for the industry is…
Building and developing businesses based on travel in a time of political and economic uncertainty.

The things I like about my job…
The people, the office, winning accounts, Friday night drinks and ping pong challenges with the sales staff.

And the frustrations are …
Feeling the pain for issues outside of your control – most managers share this frustration.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be…
Unemployed I think. I left broadcast as it was drying up for an industry shift. If I didn’t work in travel I guess my options would be limited.

Favorite airline?
I like them all, but have a preference for Qantas as I think they are managed well. Etihad in Australia and Virgin are also up there for their product and service offering.

My proudest moment was…
Unrelated to work, it’s my two children, Chloe and Matilda. My eldest daughter was made school captain of her junior school and my youngest goes alright at most sports, very proud of both.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…
Take your pick. I had a misspent youth, probably not going to reveal but mostly related to school.

I try to relax by…
Love a good massage followed by a green tea – in that order.

The last time I feared for my life was…
Recently, I was hit by a rogue wave while swimming at Manly and swallowed a heap of water and struggled to come up only to be hit by another one in big surf. It was actually terrifying but I eventually was able to resurface.

If I can, I always try to avoid…
The flu, anyone who doesn’t drink and rogue waves obviously.

I really wish I had…
Understood nutrition at an earlier age – I think I’m like most people, who overlook what they are eating until they are older.

The best advice I’ve ever received was…
Never talk work to your boss at the Christmas party and never talk about what happened at the Christmas party at work.

I don’t understand why people…
Smoke. I hate it.

My greatest weakness is…
Sugar and cream. Can’t get enough of them.

And my greatest strength is…
My understanding of human nature, picking peoples’ strengths and flaws and understanding personality types.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…
Spend it. A Maserati Quattroporte is the car I’d love if I had a million dollars to fritter (they only cost half of that – the servicing would be the other half).

If I was prime minister I would…
Not be interested in it. Too much pressure, objection, confrontation and anger in a country renowned for tall poppy syndrome.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be a…
Pilot – I would love to do it for a day but any more than that would be worried I’d pull the wrong lever.

I’ve always wanted to travel to…
The Kimberley Sands Resort and Spa in Broome Australia. There’s nothing like remote destinations with five-star cuisine.

My favorite holiday was…..
Hawaii – I love the big island. I last went there with my wife and we loved it.

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

egencia Matt christie midweek interview