Midweek Interview with Aurora Expeditions’ Robert Halfpenny

Midweek Interview with Aurora Expeditions’ Robert Halfpenny

This week, we picked flowers and frolicked in the grass with the MD of Aurora Expeditions. Oh, and we interviewed him, of course.

The challenge for the industry is…

Managing the demand and growth of the pristine and delicate areas we visit. Aurora is a member of IAATO’s subcommittee which is developing suggested solutions and regulations with environmental and safety objectives to assure we travel to these areas of the world responsibly and environmentally responsible.

The things I like about my job…

I love the destinations and the group of people I work with in this sector of the travel industry. I personally gravitate to these regions of the world and taking a responsible leadership role towards these destinations and wildlife.

And the frustrations are…

Just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to achieve everything I would like to achieve and still balance a healthy and wholesome lifestyle.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be…

I would have like to be a coach for an athletics team.

Favourite airline?

Singapore Airlines and Emirates. I also tend to fly to the America’s quite often and Air Canada are very good.

My proudest moment was…

Sounds corny but marrying my wife and raising our son and daughter. I am proudest of them!

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…

Too many to mention. I am trying to curve my naughty side these days. It just doesn’t get a pass when you become older.

I try to relax by…

I love to surf and hang out with my family and friends.

The last time I feared for my life was…

Free climbing a cliff in Scotland and started to second guess myself. Which isn’t a thought you want to cross your mind when you’re vertical on a loose rocky surfaced Scotland hillside.

If I can, I always try to avoid…

Letting myself get into a down mood. I learned from some aspiring people that it’s me who controls my mind and if I want to set my mind to positive or negative.

I really wish I had…

More time.

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

I am an inherently impatient person who has always jumped into projects 100%. When I headed off to University I was told to slow down. It baffled me at the time but I have learned it was very good advice.

My greatest weakness is…

Making sure I take the time to thank people.

And my greatest strength is…

I have plenty of energy and I enjoy working with others towards team goals.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…

Invest it for my children and a good cause that needs it more than we do.

If I was prime minister I would…

Not be Prime Minister I would get swallowed up in a job like that.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be a…

One of the crew on Apollo 13 who landed on the moon.

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

The Himalayas and the Arctic both of which are programs with Aurora Expeditions!

My favourite holiday was…

A holiday to Mexico with my family.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]