Tiffany Mestrinho is the Business Development Manager VIC/TAS for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, and enjoys that her job has her surrounded by people who love travel as much as she does – her team and travel agents.
Find out what else they had to say in this week’s Talking Cruise.
What does your job involve?
My job is very much about supporting our travel agent partners to be equipped with all the tools they need to drive Uniworld sales to their luxury clients. As I am a new face for Uniworld sales, I spend a lot of time meeting agents, getting to know them and discussing opportunities where I can support their business – they might look like meeting their customer in their office, training their teams, or presenting at their consumer events. I am also really enjoying participating the conferences where you get to know agents in a social way, that’s a lot of fun. Really whatever I can do to support agents need to get a Uniworld booking over the line – that’s my job and I love it!
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
Definitely the people. I’m surrounded by people who love travel as much as I do, my team and my travel agents. I love talking about travel every day. One of the best parts is the excitement that happens when someone falls in love with our experiences, our ships, or when they close their first booking with us, or discovers an itinerary they didn’t know about. I really enjoy bringing those magic moments to life for our agents.
Why do you think the travel industry is the best place to work?
Well so far it’s a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun. We get to travel, talk about travel, and help other people to travel – is there anything better? Most people get four weeks to holiday each year but I feel like we do that all year. Travel changes people, opens their hearts and expands their minds as a result. But beyond the self-serving reasons, while we aren’t saving lives, we are making dreams come true and that’s why I love our industry.
What are the biggest challenges for you in your profession?
I enjoy problem solving and tend to get bored if I’m not in a job that is stimulating. I’m six months into my role at Uniworld and honestly, so far, it’s been the good kind of challenging – every day is different, I’m getting my head around a new product, meeting new people, and saying yes to every opportunity that comes my way. I’m certainly stretching my skills and have leapt out of my comfort zone in meeting new people and standing up on stage to present, but I really do love it. Six months in, maybe I am still in the honeymoon phase – but the challenges are part of the fun for now and I feel like I have already grown and stretched myself in my time here.
What do you think are the biggest challenges the industry faces?
Global events for sure – there are many events out of our control that have a deep impact on our industry and while we are incredibly resilient and adaptable, my observation is that as an industry, we’re adept at focusing on what’s within our control and directing our energy there. The way we travel may change, but people’s desire to do so will not, so while we face global challenges, travel is going to remain as important as ever.
What do you think will be the biggest game changer in the travel industry in the next 12 months?
Like so many industries, technology and AI are dramatically changing the way we do things. However, I’m unlikely to trust a ChatGPT travel agent over a human one, call me old fashioned! In my opinion, some of the most interesting changes are coming from the new generation of travellers. I remember reading about Contiki’s new ‘run club’ trips and thinking how vastly differently Gen Z is travelling to my fellow millennials when we were in our twenties (if you know you know!). Also, personalisation and customisation of holidays will only improve as our technology improves which will allow us to better target the right clients onto the right cruise – that is when the magic happens.
What destination/travel trend do you think is the next big thing?
I just returned from sailing the Ganges and let me tell you, river cruising is India’s best kept secret! It’s one of the most serene parts of the world, teeming with history and culture, and accessible only by the river, which has been the lifeblood of that region for centuries. I’m all about immersive travel and to witness life on the Ganges, as it’s been for hundreds of years, was something truly special. I think more and more people are seeking authenticity like this when they travel, and sailing the Ganges is an absolute must-do if India is on your bucket list.
What are your thoughts on responsible travel and how do you try to implement this in your workplace?
Responsible travel is more important than ever. Travellers are looking for ways to reconcile doing what they love, while also acknowledging the impact that it has on the planet and on the communities they visit. They’re making conscious and ethical decisions on where they go and how they travel. At Uniworld we try to make our impact a positive one wherever possible. We are the only river cruise line to have a measurable sustainability strategy based on science-based targets, with progress published annually in our Impact Report. We’re also proud to feature at least one Make Travel Matter experience on 71% of our itineraries – experiences that support sustainable tourism and offer guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way. A couple of my favourites are gondola rides through Row Venice, non-profit of female gondoliers; and visiting Calcutta Rescue, who serve Kolkata’s underprivileged children through access to services such as schools, health clinics and vocational training.
Who inspires you most and why?
This is incredibly niche: Laura Cereta, who was a humanist and feminist writer in fifteenth-century Italy (history major over here). I encourage everyone to look up her Wikipedia page. She championed women’s education and defended their right to occupy intellectual spheres – and all before she was 30, when she tragically died. I’m inspired by a list of powerful women, but she was one of my OG inspirations.
What is your must-pack travel item(s)?
Glasses and contact lenses! Anything else I can buy when I’m there but being able to see is imperative.
Who would you invite on your next holiday if you could choose anyone and where would you go?
Egypt has been on my bucket list for the longest time so it would definitely be there. One of my majors at university was archaeology and I had the most engaging and passionate professor for my Egyptian units who looked as ancient as the civilisation itself. It’s a weird choice but I’d have to bring him along, for his wealth of knowledge and for inspiring my fascination with the destination. I imagine he’d also be good value at the ship bar too!
