Eclipse Travel Key Account Manager & Travel Designer, Blake Powell caught up with Travel Monitor in this week’s Talking Travel. Find out what he had to say about his job, the industry and more.
What does your job involve?
Working with clients to find their perfect itinerary, ships or special offers for on one of our polar adventures. I also tailor make itineraries to Central and South America – so I need to stay up to date on a lot of different products and destinations. I also work as a BDM so work with travel agents around the country to help them sell our destinations.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I really enjoy talking to our clients who are often well-travelled and looking for something new. I love when they are open to suggestions and open to visit places off the beaten track.
What are the biggest challenges for you in your profession?
I’d say it is most challenging to give people confidence to travel to remote destinations. We deal with a lot of clients who are aged 50+ and it is really important to reassure them that we know the destinations and suppliers we work with well, and that they are in good hands travelling with us.
What do you think are the biggest challenges the industry faces?
That question is pretty obvious at the moment – with the media hype around Coronavirus, everyone is uncertain about what the future holds for their destination – or more the policies involved in the case they are unable to travel. We have found most of our customers are more concerned with the potential for cancellation and/or being stranded than actually getting sick.
What do you think will be the biggest game changer in the travel industry in the next 12 months’?
I think people will pay a lot more attention to the cover their insurance provides and look to book packages that are flexible with change fees. Being flexible and adaptable to change is going to be an important factor this year. We have been through a lot in the past 12 months with unstable destinations, failing operators and now general fear of travel. Providing people with confidence to travel will be key to success and this must mean an increase in flexibility through the supply chain.
What destination/travel trend do you think is the next big thing?
Polar travel continues to get the interest of more and more travellers – and once they have ticked off Antarctica the final continent, many turn their attention to South Georgia or the Ross Sea to see other varieties of penguins. Interest in the Arctic is also growing and after visiting the more common region of Svalbard, Greenland and Canada’s high Arctic are on the radar.
What are your thoughts on responsible travel and how do you try implement this in your workplace?
This is something I feel very strongly about and I never promote any product that does not align with my values. Particularly regarding wildlife experiences in Africa and Central America, I try to educate our clients as to why they should not be supporting zoos and aim for authentic experiences.
Who inspires you most and why?
People like Joaquin Phoenix who are using their influence to voice issues that are important. The world is so complacent these days and people like him can make you rethink how you live.
What is your must pack travel item(s)?
I can travel pretty simply, and as long as I have my passport, I am ready to go. I make sure I have pen with me to fill out landing cards, an international adapter and a backup bank card.
Who would you invite on your next holiday if you could choose anyone and where would you go?
I’d like to say my mum since I have not taken her anywhere yet – but since she does not like to travel far, I plan to take my partner to Mexico and Peru since he has not been to the Americas before. Mum can come too if she agrees to sit on a plane for 13 hours.
Contact Email – blake@eclipsetravel.com.au
