Midweek Interview with Winnie Ho, Hotel manager, Best Western Haven Glebe and EDUCATION ADVOCATE FOR BLUE MOUNTAINS INTERNATIONAL HOTEL MANAGEMENT SCHOOL

The challenge for the industry is… Market trends and guest preferences and expectations change all the time. As an industry, we need to be responsive and adapt to change.

The things I like about my job…I love welcoming new challenges every day and encountering lovely guests with inspiring stories. This is what makes the hotel industry such a fulfilling industry to work in, particularly working with diverse and interesting guests.

And the frustrations are… Nothing really frustrates me. In a front line role such as mine where guest satisfaction is so important to our business model, calm professionalism is key.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be… A full-time traveler.

Favourite airline? Eva.

My proudest moment was… My proudest moment was graduating with a Master of International Hotel Management from Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS)– a major personal achievement for me. Professionally, it’s definitely greeting returning guests again and again with smiley faces.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… to turn off my mobile for three days.

I try to relax by… Traveling.

The last time I feared for my life was… When I was unsure of my future career path about ten years ago.

If I can, I always try to avoid… being emotional at work.

I really wish I had… A pair of wings.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… To be thankful for feedback as it is the key to success.

I don’t understand why people… Wait for the fruit instead of working for it.

My greatest weakness is… I am not very good at saying “no.”

And my greatest strength is… coordinating and organising projects and tasks. Working in a dynamic and fast-growing international industry means you have to be incredibly organised and at ease in a fast-paced environment.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… buy a beautiful house for my family.

If I was prime minister I would… reduce tax.

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

I’ve always wanted to travel to… everywhere. The travel, leisure and hospitality industry is so varied and exciting, I don’t think I’ll ever leave the sector.

My favourite holiday was… a three-month trip to Europe travelling alone in 2005.