This week, we grabbed Sue Elliot, sales and marketing manager at Gate 1 Travel, for a quick chat. Although that’s not to say we manhandled her or anything.
The challenge for the industry is…
Letting travellers know that there are holiday options out there that they haven’t even thought of yet – and not all of them can be found by googling.
The things I like about my job…
Matching customer expectations with holidays they can afford. Actually scrap that… I love exceeding customer expectations with holidays that they never thought they could afford!
And the frustrations are…
Letting Aussies know that Gate 1 Travel isn’t too good to be true. They don’t realise we have been in business or over 35 years, have over 80 per cent repeat business and over 250,000 people will travel with us this year.
If I didn’t work in travel I would be…
A cabaret star (I can hear the sniggers already from people who’ve heard me sing – badly – but a gal can dream!).
Favourite airline?
Any that treats me well and gets me there on time!
My proudest moment was…
Being a 2018 Women In Travel Awards finalist for Marketer of the Year (and trekking in Nepal without wimping out).
The naughtiest thing I ever did was…
Going to a gym class and then devouring a full pizza straight after – but in my defence, I wasn’t alone and was egged on by a friend in the industry (you know who you are!).
I try to relax by…
Eating pizza!
The last time I feared for my life was…
On an airline whom shall remain nameless. I’ve developed a mid-life fear of flying, but this rough flight took it to another level!
If I can, I always try to avoid…
Gym classes.
I really wish I had…
Lots more frequent flyer points. Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to upgrade all the time!
The best advice I’ve ever received was…
“What’s the worst that can happen?”
Looking at the worst-case scenario helps put things in perspective and usually helps me decide that it’s worth a shot.
I don’t understand why people…
Think they can say on social media what they wouldn’t say to someone’s face.
My greatest weakness is…
Travel, can’t get enough of it (and pizza!).
And my greatest strength is…
Finding the money to travel when the bank balance is bare.
If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…
Be an entrepreneur who supports artists and people with clever ideas.
If I was prime minister I would…
Invest in infrastructure, invest in people and concentrate on projects that will benefit Australia’s future (not only think of the next four years in power!).
If I could be someone else for one day I would be a…
Ellen Degeneres, she looks like she’s having too much fun.
I’ve always wanted to travel to…
Easter Island. Gate 1 has a sensational 11 Day Classic Argentina & Chile with Eastern Island which is on my hit list next year!
My favourite holiday was…
Peru! It was my first trip with Gate 1 and in all honesty it blew me away. The history, culture, incredible sites and the way we were looked after made it the best holiday!
