Midweek Interview – Conrad McCall, Manager of Sales & Development, TRAFALGAR & COSTSAVER

The challenge for the industry is…

Keeping up with the ever changing and evolving travellers needs. It would seem every day there is a new “it” destination or travel style and being in sales we need to be able to stay one step ahead of it.

The things I like about my job…

Training, coaching or mentoring someone. I love seeing that moment when a consultant, novice or experienced, understands what Trafalgar is now offering the market and gets excited after they have made their first sale using newly acquired sales techniques.

And the frustrations are …

Fear of change. Trafalgar has completely reinvented itself over the past years to meet the needs of today’s travellers but there are still several in the industry that refuse to accept it or try and change. This isn’t the same holiday your great-aunt did in the 70’s!

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

A teacher of higher education or perhaps a motivational/keynote speaker. I would miss the rush of sales, however I am passionate about sharing knowledge and personal experience to empower others and make a difference.

Favourite airline?

I like an airline that can provide an experience, add some excitement and fun to a journey. I love the quirks that Virgin provides but my all time favourite is still WestJet in Canada, they once made each guest sing a song of the crews choice before boarding. I was asked to sing “I’m a little tea pot” and it was the best performance of that song I believe ever delivered.

My proudest moment was…

Teaching my little nephew about the world and sparking his curiosity in exploring it. (He’s 6)

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…

I have been sworn to secrecy and too naughty to explain here…

I try to relax by…

If a trip away is not on the cards there is nothing better than a good glass of wine, a great group of friends and a massive antipasto platter to bring on some great conversation and an abundance of laughs.

The last time I feared for my life was…

Landing in Windy Wellington in a wind storm, I think that aircraft still has my hand imprints in the arm rests. I thought the first thing to touch the runway was going to be the wing.

If I can, I always try to avoid…

That 3^rd coffee! Although without coffee I fear I am not overly employable.

I really wish I had…

A sailboat. That moment when you cut the engines and let the wind take hold of the sails takes my breath away every time.

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

When public speaking, there is no reason to be afraid. The audience only wants to know what you know, nothing more and nothing less. This changed my life, speaking went from one of my most feared things to something I truly enjoy doing.

I don’t understand why people…

Don’t know how to use on ramps while getting onto the freeway. It’s meant to get you up to speed to easily merge into traffic, not to merge into 110kph traffic at 60kph and then speed up!

My greatest weakness is…

Not always being able to accept being told that I “can’t” do something.

And my greatest strength is…

Being able to more often than not change “can’t” into “can”. My passion and persuasion abilities are a mighty powerful attribute.

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

See aforementioned sailboat!

If I was prime minister I would…

I would probably need to become a citizen first… it’s in the works!

Although I would tamper with a few equality issues that seem to be lingering around for far too long.

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

Richard Branson. I realise 24 hours is enough time to accidentally disrupt his empire, however leading such a big trusted and world renowned brand for one day would be incredible.

He has been a business idol of mine for some time.

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

Croatia. It is driving me crazy that it is still on my must do list.

My favourite holiday was…

My Trafalgar Holiday through Vietnam. It has a 100% guest satisfaction rating and I needed to see what that would be like. The people are amazing, the food incredible and the overall experience left me truly inspired and in awe. I have not stopped talking about it since returning.