Midweek Interview with Clare Kearns, Business Development Manager VIC/TAS, Mobile Travel Agents
The challenge for the industry is… Passing on our experience to the next generation. It’s still a hard industry to break into because everyone wants experience. We need to embrace the new enthusiasts as they may be able to teach us a thing or two, especially with the wonders of social media and the advancements in technology.
The things I like about my job are… Everything. It's clich√©d but the people definitely make the company, and helping empower people to build their own successful travel business is just an amazing feeling.
And the frustrations… I try not to focus on these, but keeping up with technology is one. The big one for everyone is not enough time!
If I didn’t work in travel I would be a… Harley Davidson riding art gallery owner, exhibiting new and upcoming artists.
Qantas or Virgin? Virgin, I like to be around happy people!
My proudest moment was… Have to say the birth of my beautiful boys, right?
The naughtiest thing I ever did was… Promise my mum I wouldn’t eat beef in England (at the time of Mad Cow) and then tucked into a roast beef dinner on my first night.
I try to relax by… Catching up with friends over wine or coffee – depending on the hour!
The last time I feared for my life… Was on a suspension bridge in Hueon Valley, Tasmania.
If I can, I always try to avoid… Traffic – best thing about working from home!
I really wish I had… The cure for Alzheimers.
The best advice I’ve ever received was… From my father, “education is important if you want to get anywhere in life – you have to work hard, and talk ‘properly’. You will never get a job if you use slang!”
I don’t understand why… People still try to lick their elbows, even when told it’s physically impossible.
My greatest weakness is… Ice cream!
And my greatest strength… My supportive partner, without him I could not be where I am today.
If I was prime minister I would… Do more to protect our natural resources, such as the Great Barrier Reef, dental would already be covered by medicare, more focus and support in mental health.
If I won $1 million on the lottery I would… Travel the world first class, baby! Tick off the ever expanding bucket list…
If I could be someone else for one day I would be… Ellen Degeneres – she has way too much fun and does a lot of good.
I’ve always wanted to travel to… Africa to do a wildlife safari to see the Big Five.
My favourite holiday was… To Noosa. We did a self-drive and every road, no matter what direction, lead to Noosa Heads – couldn’t get lost if we tried. It’s an amazing place right in our own backyard.
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