Spotlight on NPO Talent: Lucy Hunter – Partnership Team
Any business is only as good as the people in it, and at TravelManagers, we are lucky to have a deep pool of talent, not just within our network of personal travel managers (PTMs), but also across our National Partnership Office (NPO) team.
Our state-based Business Partnership Managers (BPMs) spend a lot of their time working behind the scenes, providing support and mentoring to help PTMs grow their businesses. We think it’s high time they stepped into the spotlight, so we asked one of our newest BPMs, Lucy Hunter, to take part in a Q&A session and share a little about herself, her passions, and her aspirations.
What is your background in travel, and what you love about working in this industry?
I started in the industry twenty years ago as a retail consultant, before moving on to a business development manager role. Most recently, I have been working between two retail travel agencies in consulting, support and marketing roles.
I love that I never stop learning, that I am surrounded by inspiring products and experiences every day, and that I have opportunities to experience some of the best destinations in the world in the name of work. I have found there’s nowhere quite like the travel industry – the people are endlessly resilient, adaptable to change and they band together when times are tough.
What attracted you to the role of BPM, and what aspects of your previous roles will be most valuable?
I love the opportunity to build strong partnerships with my PTMs, learning about their individual businesses and needs and what drives them to succeed. I have a strong foundation in consulting which gives me a deep understanding of many of the everyday challenges that PTMs face, and I love working with them on creative solutions. Additionally, I have a strong understanding of what is involved in setting up and running a successful business, and I really love getting involved in their product and marketing initiatives, looking at all the ways I can help them increase sales and attract or retain new clients.
What excites you most about working with TravelManagers?
I think TravelManagers offers a fabulous opportunity for travel experts to take back control of their work/life balance and be truly rewarded for the hard work they put in. The support we provide as BPMs shows that TravelManagers genuinely values the importance of local representation to support PTMs in their individual journeys.
What are your goals and expectations for this role, and what are your main priorities?
Starting out, my main priority is to connect with my PTMs and get to know them, their businesses, and their individual needs and goals. This framework shows me how best I can serve the network while building strong, trusting relationships. I am also excited to start connecting with travel advisors who are considering a move to join the TravelManagers network.
How do you see the travel industry evolving, and how will you support our PTMs in adapting to meet those changes?
The industry is continuing to change with the evolution of AI and online tools. I think it’s important to help my PTMs understand these changes in terms of the opportunities they present to enhance their offering, rather than viewing them as a threat. It will be important to deliver training and support that gives them the confidence to use these tools to optimise how they work, and to exceed their customers’ expectations in terms of their expertise. I think this is a real opportunity to embrace ‘smarter not harder’.
What makes TravelManagers’ approach to partnerships unique?
Having a team of state-based BPMs to support our PTMs throughout Australia is quite unique, and demonstrates a true investment in the partnership between TravelManagers and its network. It means we, as BPMs, are out there getting to know each PTM as an individual person, taking the time to understand their businesses, and thinking of creative ways to utilise the tools at our disposal to provide customised support to help them achieve their goals.
What’s one fun or surprising fact we might not know about you?
I would love to say I had run a marathon or could speak five languages, but as a kid, my dream was to become an archaeologist. I fangirled all over Indiana Jones and was fascinated by ancient civilizations and discovering untouched artifacts. When I finished school, I started towards a career in journalism, but then found my way into travel. Perhaps my appetite for discovering new and untouched places still lives on somewhere, just in a different way!
Where is your favourite travel destination, and why?
I love Kauai – it’s awe inspiring and relaxing at the same time. From hiking the spectacular Napali coastline, with its immense waterfalls and sheer cliffs, to seeing sea turtles up close on the local beach, being mobbed by the chickens that roam freely around the island, and embracing Hawaiian island life with a poke bowl from a local food truck, it’s somewhere that has really had an impact on me.
If you’re interested in making a move to TravelManagers the next step in your career, call one of our state-based Business Partnership Managers or check out our latest vacancies.
