Billy Knepscheld has recently been appointed the Queensland Business Development Manager for This Africa.
Billy told Travel Monitor, “I’m genuinely just really excited to get out on the road and start this new chapter with Pat and the team at This Is Africa. It’s a company I’ve trusted and worked with for many years as a consultant, so joining the team now feels very special.”
“I’m really looking forward to building relationships across Queensland, sharing my passion for Africa, and hopefully helping more agents discover just how incredible the destination really is. There’s so much excitement and opportunity around African travel at the moment, and I can’t wait to be part of what’s ahead for This Is Africa.”
We catch up with Billy to talk all things Africa and the travel industry.
What does your job involve?
My role with This Is Africa focuses on building strong partnerships with travel agencies across Queensland and helping agents better understand the diversity, depth, and uniqueness of African travel experiences. I work closely with the trade to educate and inspire them, ensuring they feel confident promoting Africa as a destination for their clients.
I’m passionate about growing our presence across Queensland by showcasing the incredible experiences and opportunities Africa has to offer through This Is Africa. Ultimately, my goal is to help travel professionals create more meaningful and memorable journeys for their clients
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
My profession gives me the opportunity to really connect with people and help create meaningful travel experiences. I’m naturally a very social person, so I’m really looking forward to getting out across Queensland, meeting new faces, and building strong relationships within the travel industry.
I’ve always had a deep passion for Africa, it genuinely sparks something in me, so being able to talk about the destination every day and share just how incredible it feels is very rewarding. I love helping travel professionals feel confident in promoting Africa, knowing those journeys will create lifelong memories for their clients.
Being part of an industry that connects people with different cultures, experiences, and unforgettable destinations is something I’m truly passionate about.
Why do you think the travel industry is the best place to work?
Working in the travel industry has to be one of the most exciting and rewarding industries to be part of. Every day, we’re not just selling trips we’re helping create dreams, bucket list experiences, and lifelong memories, and that’s something special. We get to talk about incredible destinations, inspire people to explore the world, and play a role in experiences they’ll remember forever.
It’s also such a fast-paced and dynamic industry, which I really enjoy. No two days are ever the same, and it constantly challenges and motivates you in new ways. It’s far from a typical 9-to-5 role, and I think that’s what makes it so unique.
Most importantly, it’s the people who make this industry so great. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside so many passionate and hardworking people who have shared their knowledge and helped shape the industry into what it is today. That sense of community and shared passion is something we should all be proud of, and it’s a big part of why I love being in travel.
What are the biggest challenges for you in your profession?
One of the biggest challenges in the travel industry is how quickly everything evolves. Trends, destinations, and client expectations are constantly changing, so you always need to stay adaptable, keep learning, and find new ways to stand out in a very competitive industry.
For me personally, another challenge is helping travel agents feel confident selling destinations that may be less familiar to them, like Africa. That’s where my role becomes really important, providing education, support, and inspiration so agents can truly understand how diverse, accessible, and incredible African travel experiences can be for their clients.
At the same time, I enjoy those challenges. I love building relationships, sharing knowledge, and seeing advisors grow in confidence and excitement about a destination I’m genuinely passionate about.
What do you think are the biggest challenges the industry faces?
The travel industry is incredibly resilient, but one of the biggest challenges is navigating the constant flow of global events and changes that continue to shape the way people travel. It’s an industry that’s always evolving, so being adaptable and able to move with change has become more important than ever.
Another challenge is keeping up with changing traveller expectations. People are looking for more personalised, meaningful, and seamless experiences, which means the industry is constantly needing to innovate and evolve. That’s actually one of the reasons I’m really excited to be joining This Is Africa. As a consultant, I’ve been booking with them for over 12 years, and the experience has always been seamless. It’s a company I’ve always trusted because of their depth of knowledge and consistency.
I also think education remains really important, particularly around destinations that may feel unfamiliar to some agents, like Africa. Helping advisors feel confident in selling those destinations opens up incredible opportunities for both the trade and their clients.
At the same time, I think these challenges are also what make the industry so exciting. They constantly push us to grow, adapt, and keep improving.
What do you think will be the biggest game changer in the travel industry in the next 12 months’?
I think one of the biggest game changers over the next 12 months will be the shift towards more personalised, experience-based travel. People aren’t just looking for a standard holiday anymore, they want something meaningful, unique, and tailored to them.
I also think we’re seeing a real shift back towards people using travel professionals more than ever, especially with everything happening around the world. There’s so much information out there, and with constant global changes, people are looking for reassurance, expertise, and trusted advice. That’s where travel agents really come into their own.
For me, that’s especially exciting when it comes to destinations like Africa. It’s such an incredible and diverse destination and having the right knowledge and support behind those bookings can completely transform the experience for clients.
What destination/travel trend do you think is the next big thing?
For Africa, I think people are starting to move away from the more typical tropical destinations and are looking for something a little different, and we’re seeing growing interest in places like Namibia. It’s still very much a hidden gem, but it’s definitely starting to gain more attention.
We’re seeing more influencers and travellers heading there, especially to places like Deadvlei, chasing those iconic bucket list photos among the dead trees, and that exposure is really helping put Namibia on the map.
What makes Namibia so special is how unique and diverse the journey is. You can start down south at Fish River Canyon, then make your way into the Namib Desert with its incredible open landscapes, go stargazing in places like Spitzkoppe where the night skies are unbelievable, and then finish with the wildlife experiences in Etosha National Park. It’s such a different experience compared to anywhere else in Africa.
I’ve actually been encouraging clients to get there sooner rather than later, while it still has that untouched feel. It’s a very special destination, and I think it’s only going to grow in popularity over the next few years.
What are your thoughts on responsible travel and how do you try to implement this in your workplace?
For me, responsible travel is really about awareness and respect. It starts with something as simple as taking the time to understand a country’s culture, traditions, and way of life before you travel that’s such an important part of the overall experience.
One thing I feel quite strongly about is being mindful when it comes to things like taking photos, especially involving children. It’s important to be respectful and considerate, rather than just thinking about content for social media. That awareness can go a long way in making sure travel has a positive impact.
From a workplace perspective, it’s about encouraging those same values with clients, helping them better understand the destinations they’re visiting, make thoughtful choices, and travel in a way that respects local communities and environments. It doesn’t have to be complicated it’s really just about being conscious and doing the right thing.
Who inspires you most and why?
Honestly, the people who inspire me most are the ones I’ve met throughout my time in the travel industry. I’ve been lucky to work alongside some incredibly passionate and driven people who have taught me so much over the years.
Their love for what they do and the way they create amazing experiences for their clients is really inspiring, and it’s something that’s pushed me to grow in my own career as well. I also genuinely enjoy encouraging others and celebrating those wins with them. There’s nothing better than seeing a colleague make that bucket list booking or achieve a goal they’ve been working towards it’s a great feeling and really reflects what this industry is all about.
I also have a huge appreciation for the people behind the scenes the guides, camp staff, lodge teams, and local crews who work incredibly hard to create unforgettable experiences for travellers. They’re often the hidden gems of this industry, and I think they deserve a lot of recognition for the passion and care they bring to what they do.
What is your must pack travel item(s)?
My must-pack item would definitely be my camera. I’m a keen amateur videographer and photographer, and I love capturing wildlife and those once in a lifetime moments while travelling.
I also really enjoy sharing those moments on social media, and it’s been amazing seeing that inspire clients to book similar trips and adventures themselves. For me, it’s not just about taking photos or videos it’s about being able to relive those memories and inspire other people to go and experience them too.
Who would you invite on your next holiday if you could choose anyone and where would you go?
Firstly, it would have to be my family, especially my parents. It’s been more than 10 years since they’ve been able to go home to Africa, so I would absolutely love to surprise them one day with tickets back to South Africa to visit family.
I’d take them on the same trip I did in February with This is Africa, travelling through the Garden Route and finishing with a few days at Shamwari. I know they would absolutely love it, and it would be really special to share that experience with them.
The next trip would definitely be with a group of my best mates. I’d love to take them on a big adventure from Cape Town through Namibia and up to Victoria Falls. They’re always joking that they’re sick of hearing me talk about how good this trip would be, but somehow they all still end up saying yes so I’m confident we’ll make it happen one day.
