Wyndham Resort Torquay General Manager, Cameron Jeffery, caught up with Travel Monitor to talk about his job, challenges and achievements in this week’s Talking Travel.
Here is what he had to say.
What does your job involve?
My role is to ensure our guests and Club Wyndham South Pacific owners get an exceptional holiday experience here in Torquay.
How have you tackled the difficulties caused by COVID-19?
Our team took the opportunity to make the property sparkle again. All rooms were deep cleaned and it was a fun moment for the Reception team to don the overalls and show their pride in the resort. We also had the external façade completely repainted and made Wyndham Torquay look like it was back to being a day old.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
Coming from a banking background, I still remember the first day of jumping from banking to hospitality. It was with the Disney group onboard their cruise ships, and as you would expect it was a lot more magical than a bank branch. I learnt the art of hospitality with Disney and the impact of what good service does to a guest’s unique experience. Twenty years down the path and I still live by those philosophies that I learnt back then.
What are the biggest challenges for you in your profession (outside of COVID-19)?
The biggest challenge I have always faced is how to keep my particular property interesting for guests to both keep coming back and to choose to stay for the first time. We live in an age where people are constantly upgrading their phones, and offering a service that is outdated or ‘same’ doesn’t cut it anymore. What I love about Wyndham is they are always keeping the property in great condition, installing new in-room technology and are adding new activities such as electric scooters, lawn games and the like at resorts across their portfolio.
What do you think are the biggest challenges the industry faces?
Regional properties I believe will do well as people in Australia and New Zealand have travelling in their blood, and while it is difficult to travel overseas, most regional hotels and resorts are well and truly open and ready to fill the void. Having run city hotels pre-COVID-19, I hope the public get back into the cities quickly. There is so much to do in our capital cities…and they are ready to welcome guests back.
What do you think will be the biggest game-changer in the travel industry in the next 12 months’?
Undoubtedly the COVID-19 vaccine, which will hopefully open up borders around the world and allow a free flow of movement.
What destination/travel trend do you think is the next big thing?
Domestic destinations. I think Australians have had their eyes opened during COVID-19 to how much their country has to offer.
What are your thoughts on responsible travel and how do you try to implement this in your workplace?
Like all hotel and resort managers at Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific, I have a strong belief in responsible travel. At my resort, we have procedures in place to reduce our single use plastics, ban straws and plastic packaging and purchase from sustainable suppliers. I also aim to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace, which spills over into how staff treat guests.
Who inspires you most and why?
The new generation coming through! I am seeing some great enthusiastic talent coming into the industry at the moment, who like me have chosen hospitality as a career, not just a casual role while they figure out what to do.
What is your must-pack travel item(s)?
My family! Having travelled to 44 countries and most states in Australia during my career, I want to now show my wife and daughter this planet. We had grand plans to go to the US in 2020, but unfortunately that became impossible…so once we can travel freely around the world, I cannot wait to show them some of the amazing places I have seen.
Who would you invite on your next holiday if you could choose anyone and where would you go?
This may same a bit lame, but I would take my folks. They have given me a great life and with their 80’s in their sights, I would love to take them on a cruise…to anywhere!
Contact Email – Cameron.jeffery@wyn.com
