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 began my journey in the travel industry twenty years ago as a retail consultant, before moving into a business development manager role. More recently, I’ve been working across two retail travel agencies, supporting teams through consulting, support and marketing roles.
What I love most about this industry is that there’s always something new to learn. I’m constantly surrounded by inspiring products and experiences, and I’ve been fortunate to experience some incredible destinations through my work. But more than anything, it’s the people that make the travel industry so special. It’s an industry built on resilience and adaptability, where people genuinely support one another and come together when times are tough. There really is nothing quite like it.
What attracted you to the role of BPM, and what aspects of your previous roles will be most valuable?
What really attracted me to the BPM role is the opportunity to build strong, genuine partnerships with my PTMs. I enjoy getting to know each individual business, understanding what motivates them, and supporting them in ways that help them succeed.
My background in consulting has given me a solid understanding of the day-to-day challenges PTMs face, and I genuinely enjoy working alongside them to find practical, creative solutions. I also bring a strong understanding of what’s involved in setting up and running a successful business. On top of that, I love getting involved in product and marketing initiatives, exploring different ways to help PTMs grow sales, attract new clients, and retain existing ones.
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 travel industry is continuing to evolve rapidly, particularly with the growth of AI and digital tools. I see these changes as a real opportunity, and I think it’s important to help PTMs view them as ways to enhance their offering rather than as a threat.
My focus would be on supporting PTMs to understand how these tools can be used practically in their day-to-day businesses. Through the right training and ongoing support, I want to help build their confidence so they can work more efficiently, deepen their expertise, and continue to exceed customer expectations. For me, this is very much about embracing a “smarter, not harder” approach and helping PTMs adapt in a way that feels empowering and achievable.
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.
