Q: What was it that inspired you to join the travel industry in the first place?
A: Travel was part of my life from a young age. My dad was in the Navy, so we lived in different places around Australia and he was often sending letters or calling from interesting cities around the world.
We also travelled a lot domestically as a family, with a little international travel, so I was exposed to new places early on and naturally developed an interest.
That carried through into my studies in Business and International Tourism Management. I chose those degrees because I was quite young when I started university and wanted something open-ended that would give me flexibility while I figured out exactly what I wanted to do long term.
The tourism side especially appealed to me – it just felt fun, interesting and like a natural fit.
Q: What is it about the travel industry that you enjoy the most?
A: I love that we get to work with such inspiring subject matter. Even though it’s still work, we’re constantly engaging with beautiful and fascinating destinations, learning about the world and quietly being inspired about where to visit next.
During COVID, I spent some time working outside the industry, which really highlighted how lucky we are in travel.
It made me realise just how engaging and rewarding our industry is – there are plenty of sectors that feel far less inspiring day-to-day, so I’m thrilled to be back.
Q: If you hadn’t gone into travel, what other career path might you have taken?
A: I’ve always had a bit of an affinity for science – particularly biology and health-related fields – so I imagine I would have ended up somewhere along that path.
My first ‘real’ job during and after university was at Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World, where I worked in a kind of pseudo-zookeeper role.
I introduced animals to visitors, presented talks and shows and ran tours, which gave me a strong appreciation for education and conservation. I still carry that interest outside of work, doing some animal rescue and snake relocation in my spare time.
Q: What advice would you give someone wanting to start a career in travel now?
A: Be resilient and patient. Travel is a dynamic industry that’s constantly evolving and often reacting to global events that are outside our control, so adaptability is essential.
Just as importantly, stay curious. Take every opportunity to experience a new product or destination that comes your way.
I never expected (or particularly wanted) to work in cruise, but after stepping onboard my first ship for a walkaround and lunch, I was completely blown away – and the entire trajectory of my career changed.
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you start a new position?
A: I prioritise booking time to meet with as many departments and individuals across the business as possible.
I think it’s important to build a well-rounded understanding of the company, even in areas I may not work closely with day-to-day.
Understanding people’s motivations and pain points early on helps me shape my own goals and gives me clarity on how best to achieve them while supporting the wider team.
Q: How do you think the travel industry is looking at this moment in time?
A: Cautiously optimistic. Travellers seem somewhat fatigued by global events, but they’re continuing to book and prioritise living their lives. You can see that reflected in the strong post COVID rebound we’ve seen in recent years.
More than ever, people are eager to get out, explore and better understand the world around them.
Q: Who would you most like to sit next to on a plane, living or dead?
A: Tough choice, but I’d have to say Louis Theroux. I’ve been a huge fan since I was a teenager and his recent surge in popularity really shows his ability to stay relevant over time.
I admire how he uses silence as a powerful conversational tool and the way he thinks encourages more creative and thoughtful questioning – I think he’d be a fascinating person to share a row with.
Q: What are some of your favourite spots around the world?
A: South Georgia is right at the top of the list. I visited 10 years ago and can still hear (and smell!) the penguins and seals to this day (picture above).
The calls of king penguins are probably one of my favourite sounds. They’re completely unafraid and if you put the camera away, embrace the moment and just watch them go about their business, you can be entertained for hours.
I also love Peru, Japan, Iceland, Mexico and Vietnam. My travel choices are heavily motivated by food, experiencing different cultures, snorkelling/ scuba diving opportunities and wildlife encounters – and I’ll never pass up a good street market!
Q: What is your best travel story?
A: Maybe not my best story, but definitely one of my most memorable unexpected moments.
While canoeing on Lake Sandoval in Madre de Dios, I mentioned to my guide that I’d love to see an arapaima (above) – a huge freshwater fish (my aquarium days clearly shining through here!) and he told me it was very unlikely.
About 20 minutes later, I spotted something large and orange-red near the surface under overhanging branches.
As we got closer, we realised it was an arapaima, nearly two metres long. The guide was completely shocked and it’s a moment I’ll remember forever.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about working with Aurora Expeditions?
A: I’ve had my eye on the company for many years, so I’m really excited to now be part of it and to reconnect with trade partners after spending some time away from the industry.
I’m especially looking forward to helping more people get onboard and ultimately changing how they see the world through this incredible product.
Aurora’s approach to education and sustainability is genuinely inspiring – there’s a clear, long-term commitment to responsible expedition travel, underpinned by tangible initiatives and partnerships.
I’m particularly excited about how that ethos is shared with expeditioners, creating a deeper connection to the places they visit and encouraging a greater sense of awareness and responsibility that stays with them well beyond the voyage.
