Midweek Interview with Matt McMillan

By Hannah Edensor

We chat to the Director and Co-owner of Eclipse Travel.

The challenge for the industry is… Over exploitation of popular tourist attractions.

The things I like about my job… I love dealing with clients who put their faith in you and allow you to customise the perfect trip for their requirements. There’s nothing more satisfying than when they return and you hear about the amazing time they have had. The other thing I love is obvious, famil trips….

And the frustrations are … Companies who charge fuel surcharges and currency surcharges but don’t ever offer discounts when currency value or fuel costs improve.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be… I actually have no idea. Probably running a failed fishing charter.

Favourite airline? LAN. I’d be in trouble if I said anyone else.

My proudest moment was… I’d have to say the birth of my first child. For the same reasons as above.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… Illegal.

I try to relax by… Playing golf but it always ends in frustration.

The last time I feared for my life was… Last time I returned from South America my wife called me as I was boarding the flight home to tell me she was going into labour, one month ahead of the due date. I arrived a few hours after my second child was born.

If I can, I always try to avoid… Ikea.

I really wish I had… A scratch handicap, and more hair.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… It’s a tie between “You and I should start a travel company” and “You can’t do any better than her but she can do better than you, you better marry her quickly”.

I don’t understand why people… Don’t travel more! It’s the best feeling in the world.

My greatest weakness is… Putting together Ikea furniture. I’m not even sure it’s actually impossible.

And my greatest strength is… Dedication.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… I’d like to think I would do something noble, but it’s not as much money as it used to be. I think I’d buy a boat so I can spend time on the water with the family.

If I was prime minister I would… Stop humiliating myself. Seriously man. You’re embarrassing us.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be a… Dave Grohl must have some good days don’t you think?

I’ve always wanted to travel to… Papua New Guinea.

My favourite holiday was… Hard to choose but it’s hard to go past Antarctica. Breathtaking!

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

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