Q: What was your first job and what did you learn from it that you still use today?
A: Funnily enough, my first part-time role during school was as a cruise administrator, helping passengers embark and disembark at Greenwich dock.
One thing I learned that still rings true today: Australians really love to cruise.
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you start a new position?
A: I always try to listen more than I speak in those first few weeks and take a lot of notes. The aim is to better understand the team dynamic, business rhythm and where the real opportunities and challenges lie.
Building relationships early, especially with the people who bring ideas to life, is key.
Q: What advice would you give someone wanting to start a career in travel now?
A: Be endlessly curious. The industry moves fast and what works today might not tomorrow.
Ask questions, dive into how brands emotionally connect with audiences and don’t be afraid to start small. Big impact often begins with insight and initiative, not budget.
Q: If you hadn’t gone into travel, what career path might you have taken?
A: If I hadn’t found my home in travel, I’d probably be in the digital or e-commerce team of an FMCG business – still brand-side, still customer-focused, just in a different sector.
Q: How do you think the travel industry is looking at this moment in time?
A: It’s a really interesting time. Demand is high, but so are expectations. Travellers want more value, more meaning and more sustainability.
Brands, like Celestyal, that can balance authenticity with innovation will come out ahead.
Q: Who would you most like to sit next to on a plane, living or dead?
A: I’d happily take the middle seat between David Attenborough and Jane Goodall.
Listening to their stories first-hand would be unforgettable. I’d probably forget I was in the middle seat altogether.
Q: What are some of your favourite spots around the world and why?
A: I’m lucky to live near the Peak District in the UK. It’s a hiker’s paradise, with Mam Tor and Kinder Scout offering stunning views across the English landscape.
The Inca Trail in Peru delivers incredible experiences and real value for money. It’s a destination you’ll never forget.
Kerala is a peaceful, welcoming introduction to India – less travelled, incredibly tranquil and rich in culture.
Milos is a standout port that we visit. Crystal-clear waters, laid-back charm and picture-perfect beaches make it one of my favourite islands.
And Madeira is a bit of a hidden gem. It has everything: great food, breathtaking walks, wildlife and rich plant life.
Q: What is your best travel story?
A: We were on a small boat in the Peruvian Amazon at night searching for Caiman crocodiles when a black scorpion suddenly landed onboard, later identified as one of the world’s most venomous.
Our guide calmly removed it, but not before making sure we got a photo with our new ‘friend’. Definitely not a trip for the fainthearted.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about working at Celestyal?
A: I’m particularly excited about helping shape our marketing in the Gulf region.
It’s a new market for us, so there’s a huge opportunity to build awareness and engagement from the ground up.
