MTA – Mobile Travel Agents Travel Specialist Kim Rudd has spent a couple of years away from her job, sailing with the family, but says now she is really enjoying being back.
“It’s an awesome industry, full of amazing like-minded people. I love the support and camaraderie and always enjoy hearing of everyone’s travels.”
Travel Monitor caught up with Kim Rudd to discuss more of the travel industry in this week’s Talking Travel.
What does your job involve?
My job has so many different tasks as it is essentially my own business. I need to market myself , network , be an active part of my local community, stay up to date with industry news and product but most of all stay in touch with my clients on a one to one level ensuring they get my undivided attention when I am dealing with them. I like to make it personal.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I love travel and everything to do with it. I love sharing the anticipation of a trip with clients and strive to add all those extra little touches to make it a holiday to remember. I’m helping to make memories and to me that’s priceless.
What are the biggest challenges for you in your profession?
The biggest challenges for me would be the Internet and the issues that arise from people doing their own “research”. It’s a struggle sometimes to explain that what you see isn’t always what you get, whereas I can guarantee they will actually have a hotel room when they get off their flight! That and having to listen to myself talk all day in my home office!
What do you think are the biggest challenges the industry faces?
Pretty much what I just mentioned. As a mobile agent – the internet packages and flight sellers are a nightmare for myself and colleagues. As more and more online booking engines come about there’s only more scope for clients to be scammed. That and the random acts of nature or terrorism – these things are awful and unpredictable but I try to be as informed and up to date as possible and hope to guide my clients as effectively and compassionately as possible in times of crisis.
What do you think will be the biggest game changer in the travel industry in the next 12 months’?
I do actually feel that a lot of people are looking for more unique and authentic experiences , a bit more off the beaten track. Eco-tourism is huge on the agenda and is at the forefront of a lot of people’s decision making when booking a trip now. Minimising the carbon footprint and giving back to the local communities is already a gamechanger – so many companies are becoming more aware and including these factors in the way they plan their tours . It’s happening and it’s just going to be more prevalent.
Who inspires you most and why?
A hard question …and I am a lot of a nerd so I think Dr. Jane Goodall would have to be right at the top of my list.
Her research changed the way science was conducted. Her methods and the way she studied the Chimps in Gombe giving them names etc had never been done before . I could go on and on – but she was a groundbreaker. Dr Goodall is now in her 80’s and travels the world educating people about her Roots and Shoots programme, climate change, animal rights and as an UN Messenger of Peace. I have been fortunate enough to meet her and she is an absolute living legend in my eyes.
Who would you invite on your next holiday if you could choose anyone and where would you go? (Can be multiple people)
I’d invite my Mum. She’s never been to the UK and it’s on her bucketlist. An ancestor of ours was part of the Norman invasion of England and as such I’d like to take her to the town of Battle in the UK and stand where the Battle of Hastings occurred … then take a massive road trip around the UK, exploring castles. She loves Castles.
Company Website – www.mtatravel.com.au/krudd
Contact Email – krudd@mtatravel.com.au
