The Big Cheese with Tourism Portfolio managing director, Donna Kessler

The Big Cheese with Tourism Portfolio managing director, Donna Kessler
By admin


The great thing about my job is… I represent great venues and destinations and get to work with some of the industry’s most powerful and successful brands.

The challenge for industry is…Re-educating the end user post GFC that perhaps budgets are now no longer realistic, and gathering better research – we are heading in the right direction but solid data on the value of business tourism is critical.

My greatest achievement is… Seeing Tourism Portfolio grow through referral and successfully achieving 10 years in business in a highly-competitive environment.

The biggest thing in MICE this year will be… Economic confidence, which has a direct correlation to the materialisation of conferences, meetings, and incentives. 

I try to relax by… Exercising, a good glass of bubbles, and if that doesn’t work, more of the same.

I don’t understand why… As a society we have lost respect for each other, including people in authority and the elderly. Why have we gone ‘politically correct’ mad?

Currently the album playing on my iPod is… Whatever comes on shuffle.

My favourite venue is… All of the ones in my portfolio, of course!

I am scared to death of… Flying.

I can’t live without… My family and friends.

Blackberry, iPhone or Android… Android – Motorola Razor.

I really wish I had…. Started my business sooner.

If I could invite four people to a dinner party, they’d be… Jack Nicholson, Roger Federer, George Clooney and Bill Clinton.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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