Page 20 - Dispatches - June 2022

A Conversation with . . .
Trailblazers

By Laura Chavanne
Laura is the Editor-in- Jane Mathews, Trip Experience Leader
Chief of Dispatches.
on South Pacific Odyssey: Australia,

the Outback & New Zealand

O.A.T.: What was it like growing up in and Australia becoming a republic—and
Australia? Learning and Discovery. Topics range from
an introduction to Aboriginal art to an
I didn’t! Like 30% of the Australian population,
Born in: I was not born here. I grew up in England, but introduction to Australian slang—we really do
London, England have lived here for many years. My English say “G’day,” but never use the word “shrimp.”
They’re prawns!
Resides in: friends think I sound Australian and my
Sydney, Australia Australian friends think I sound English. As a naturally curious and connected person,

With O.A.T. since: Americans think I sound like someone from being able to share this type of information is
2018 Downton Abbey. a pleasure. You get under the skin of a country

Hobbies: O.A.T.: What inspired you to work in travel this way, not just come for a superficial visit.
Traveling, cooking and become a Trip Experience Leader? I always am at pains to present both sides of a
Asian food, I have traveled my whole life and was always story, and then let the travelers decide where
Aboriginal history, the one who ended up researching the trips in they sit on that topic.
sewing
minute detail. When I fell out of love with (or O.A.T. guests are well-traveled and open to new
maybe just grew out of) my job in advertising, and different experiences. The Sir Edmund
I did a guiding course and knew immediately Hillary Club members, in particular, “get it,”
I had found my calling! Hand on heart, I can which makes my job a pleasure. Often there will
honestly say I really, really love my job. be groups who have met while traveling with
O.A.T.: Have you worked for other travel O.A.T. before.
companies? If so, what makes O.A.T. and I really like the emphasis and care taken with
our travelers unique?
solo female travelers by O.A.T. – the fastest
Yes, I have worked for many other companies. growing sector in travel right now. I have
O.A.T. is the only company I know where
the guide reaches out to the travelers in
advance of their trip. It means so much to
know more about the guests, including
their hobbies and interests, and what they
Right: Jane counts are most looking forward to as well as
Sydney among her answering questions, usually about what to
favorite places to pack. (Bug net, yes, tuxedo, no). It’s really
show travelers— comforting for the guests to have “met” me
including its iconic virtually to help them feel relaxed, confident
Opera House, which and excited about the trip.
she maintains is “one
of the best things O.A.T. is the only company that actively
to have come out of encourages conversation around
the seventies in the Controversial Topics—such as Aboriginal
whole world.” rights, bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef,

DISPATCHES • JUNE

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