FACE-2-FACE: Fiona Heron

Sales Development Manager, South East Queensland, Scenic.

1. What mo vates you in your career?

Working for a brand and representing a product that I am truly passionate about. I feel so privileged to work in an industry that thrives on creating lifelong memories for guests through diverse, enriching and exciting travel experiences.

2. Most common assump on people make about your job?

That it’s glamorous and all about wining/dining people and attending fancy events and functions. In fact there is a lot of hard work, weekends, after hours and juggling a huge number of priorities at once that make you successful in this role - organisation, focus and determination are key.

3. What is the key to building great rela onships with agents?

Be available and try everything once. By providing agent support in the way of booking assistance, regular updates, event participation and regular training the agents will have more confidence to sell a product.

4. Biggest industry challenge?

The amount of product; land, air and sea, that agents need to familiarise themselves with these days is overwhelming. More than ever before product updates from a rep are crucial.

5. Advice for up and comers?

Be available, follow up and network.

6. What was your best fam?

Scenic Spirit on the Mekong through Cambodia. Highlights included seeing the sunrise over Angkor Wat followed by a Champagne breakfast and experiencing an Ox cart ride in Kampong Tralach and then receiving a Buddhist monk blessing at the Oudong temple.

7. My next cruise will be…

A European river cruise in Nov this year. 8. Favourite cruise spot? Croatia.