MTA – Mobile Travel Agents Business Development Manager (VIC/TAS/SA/WA), Clare Kearns recently attended Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas and noted a big message that has come from this event and it is witnessed throughout – has been that we are all better off together – learning and sharing about our differences but drawn together by our commonalities and our passion for travel – we could use more of this across all aspects of travel, we are not competitors, but friends!
Travel Monitor caught up with Clare Kearns to discuss more of the travel industry in this week’s Talking Travel.
What does your job involve?
The local point of contact for our advisors across VIC/TAS/SA/WA, business development support and advice, recruitment of new MTA advisors, representing MTA at industry events.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
Networking with fellow colleagues and industry professionals, assisting people in building successful businesses for themselves.
What are the biggest challenges for you in your profession?
Time – if I could add a few extra hours to the day, or freeze time – I have so much I want to do!
What do you think are the biggest challenges the industry faces?
Keeping up with the pace of change – this is also one of the reasons we are in the industry – it’s never a dull moment, as technology develops we need to be embracing it rather than resisting it!
What do you think will be the biggest game changer in the travel industry in the next 12 months’?
The introduction of technology that hasn’t been invented yet! As long as the industry embraces the technology and finds ways to use it to their benefit and to the advantage of their clients.
Who inspires you most and why?
My advisors that I have the pleasure of working with, watching them have the courage to start their own businesses and really back themselves, and then seeing them achieve and succeed their goals it truly inspiring. They all have a story that is unique to them, and to both be part of that and allowed a front row seat to their success is just so inspirational!
Who would you invite on your next holiday if you could choose anyone and where would you go?
The generous Ellen Degeneres so she can make us laugh, Pink who can entertain us, and David Attenborough to educate us. Because David is with us, we would have to do my No#1 bucketlist destination of Africa – from top to bottom!
Company Website – www.mtatravel.com.au
Contact Email – clare@mtatravel.com.au
IMAGE: At Virtuoso Week 2019 – L-R: Ally Kilpin; Deborah Clarke; Finalisa Sacco; cruise & wholesale product manager, Rhona Rodgers; BDM VIC/TAS/SA/WA, Clare Kearns; Jo McFadyen and Julia Campbell
