Midweek Interview with Scenic’s Adam Burke
This week, the Asian journey designer for Scenic told us all his secrets and took us on a luxury cruise. Just kidding, we only interviewed him.
The challenge for the industry is…
Not to get caught up in the cycle of product dumping/sales as it cheapens everybody’s product in the market and trains guests to book at the last moment, which is not good for any operator.
The things I like about my job…
Discovering something no-one else offers, working it into our itineraries and seeing it work first hand when on tours/cruises with my guests.
And the frustrations are…
Not being able to find enough time to get around to all the destinations in my portfolio.
If I didn’t work in travel I would be…
A primary school or history teacher so I would still have plenty of time to travel. Already done the Navy officer gig.
Favourite airline?
Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific.
My proudest moment was…
Getting married and then becoming a dad to three sons.
Being at the Cronulla Sharks Grand Final win was a proud moment too!
The naughtiest thing I ever did was…
An officer is always a gentleman and never tells.
I try to relax by…
Listening to music whilst doing my wargaming hobbies.
The last time I feared for my life was…
Anytime I was at a height. I’m pretty immune to traffic near misses in Asia now, but I’m still scared of heights when not flying.
If I can, I always try to avoid…
Travelling on early morning flights – I never sleep the night before as a result.
I really wish I had…
Travelled more in Europe when I was younger.
The best advice I’ve ever received was…
Always be aware of what is happening around you, it can save your life and keep you out of trouble.
I don’t understand why people…
Stop on escalators, they are designed to move people along, not for you to be lazy and stop moving for a while.
My greatest weakness is…
Ice cream.
And my greatest strength is…
Seeing the bigger picture.
If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…
Invest in more real estate.
If I was prime minister I would…
Make all people on long-term dole or unemployment benefits enlist in the military for two years to give them some discipline and self-worth so they become useful to society when they get out.
If I could be someone else for one day I would be a…
Stormtrooper, as an extra on a Star Wars movie set.
I’ve always wanted to travel to…
Egypt and see more of the European battlefields.
My favourite holiday was…
Any trip I have done with my wife (and with my boys), but the Maldives last year was pretty special.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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