Women in Travel: It’s Carnival Cruise Line’s Jennifer Vandekreeke!

By Daisy Melwani

We chat with Jennifer Vandekreeke, Vice President Australasia, Carnival Cruise Line about the importance of travel, being a bike tour guide and why she thinks life is all about prioritisation in conjunction with the inaugural Women in Travel Awards in November.

I knew I wanted to work in travel ever since my first flight when I was six years old. The excitement of being exposed to something new and different has always interested me.

Travel has an extraordinary impact. It opens up minds, builds character, deepens
our understanding of the world, connects diverse people and strengthens bonds between friends and family.

My first job in the industry was as a bike tour guide in Europe while I was at university. It was also my greatest failure. The entire trip, I was so worried about whether the teenagers would like me, instead of focusing on their experience. That’s when I realised leadership is about focusing on others and ensuring they are engaged, motivated and growing. It was a great learning experience.

In business, my personal hiring philosophy is to find people who know their stuff better than I do. Just as importantly, they have to be real people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get the work done. Having a sense of humour is important too.

Life is all about prioritisation.

Once you know your priorities, it makes decision-making so much easier. For me, it’s family first, then health and wellness, and then career.

It makes me a better professional and a better mum to have dedicated time for family, exercise and work. When I first went back to work full time after our twins were born, I created something called Adventure Club. Every Sunday morning I headed off with our kids on an adventure – we’d go to the zoo or canoeing or for a bike ride. There’s nothing like exercise-induced endorphins to spark a fresh perspective.

Travel Weekly is proud to present the inaugural Women in Travel Awards in Sydney on 17 November, and are calling on women from any level across the industry to enter.

You don’t have to be nominated to enter, it’s open to all women at any level, and entries are FREE.

Or, if you know or work with any exceptional Women in Travel, be proactive and acknowledge excellence in their field by nominating them to enter.

Click here to Nominate Now

The 18 categories are NOW OPEN and individuals can enter in more than one category.

Winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on 17 November in Sydney. Earlybird tickets are on sale.

Any questions, contact Daisy Melwani on 0401216294 or drop her a line here.

Read other Women in Travel interviews in this series:

Sarina Bratton, Ponant

Sarah Anderson, GTI Tourism

Penny Lion, Tourism Australia

Kim Mason, TravelManagers

Simla Sooboodoo, Hands On Journeys

Eliza Woodward, SmartFlyer Australia

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

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