Interview with Craig Stepnell, MeetnGreetMe Advisor

– Hi, Craig! Please, introduce yourself and describe your background in the travel industry.
– I have always loved travel so the role of travel consultant was a fit of the best kind! My journey over the past 14-years in the travel industry has been a very successful one. I have gained invaluable experience in a variety of roles, brands and businesses and have enjoyed working with and meeting people all across the world — peers, clients and business leaders. My businesses have been incredibly successful gaining company recognition both nationally and globally.

I have, of course, travelled extensively over the years for both work and pleasure, ticking off 44 countries (so far!).

I love talking travel and enjoy working with my clients to create unforgettable travel experiences of a lifetime.

The part I look forward to most is taking my young family on more holidays and seeing places, meeting people and tasting food through their fresh eyes.

– Why did you decide to join MeetnGreetMe as an advisor?
– Blockchain is exciting for the travel industry and will revolutionize it in a number of ways. Faster payment methods and security are high on the list and the potential savings to the consumers’ back pocket through the adoption of travel on the blockchain (e.g. peer–to–peer transactions for services) will be a game changer.

The MeetnGreetMe brand combines innovative travel ideas, connecting people and personalized travel experiences and has been an early adopter of the Blockchain technology.

– In what regions can you provide your services? Is it local or global?
– The services I provide as a travel consultant are utilized by clients both near and far. My customer database includes customers from across the globe with the majority based in Australia and more specifically Victoria, the state I live. Today’s technology allows me to connect with and do business with anyone from any country to create and deliver the experience they are wanting from their travel or holiday. MeetnGreetMe will enable a more seamless and cost effective transaction and offer my clients a true localized experience and an immersion in culture that they often seek.

– What trends can you see regarding destinations people choose nowadays?
– Although group travel remains a popular way for many people to travel, more and more clients are wanting personalized, tailor-made trips and experiences. Smaller group sizes, tailor-made itineraries, personalized one-on-one experiences and knowledgable local guides are becoming increasingly popular and a preferred style of travel for many types of people, both experienced and inexperienced travelers alike.

– What experiences do people request more and more? Are they seeking a peaceful trip or a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
– This is a tricky question. One of the things I love about my job is the variety it delivers on a daily basis. Each day I will book something different. From once in a lifetime adventures to the more popular tourist destinations. From business travel to romantic honeymoon getaways. Some customers will travel to the same destination they fell in love with years ago and continue to go back, again and again whilst others seek new and exciting destinations and experiences that keep their fire for travel burning.

– What difficulties do people face when they are in a foreign country? Do these difficulties differ between people who travel really a lot and those who are not sophisticated yet?
– I believe the greatest difficulty people face when traveling in a foreign country is trust. Being in an unfamiliar place and often also struggling with language barriers, trust in a person or a company can either go right or wrong or be inconsistent. This is where my role as an ‘advisor’ is an important one. Clients who book their travel through me value my knowledge, experience and recommendations and also trust the companies we employ to deliver their services.

For example, consider the scenario of someone who has recommended their friend to a particular company for a city tour because they had had such an amazing experience a couple of months earlier. The friend acts on this recommendation but walks away surprised and disappointed because the tour guide she received was not friendly, bubbly, passionate or knowledgable and delivered an experience which was far from what her friend had described. MeetnGreetMe eliminates this inconsistency by giving customers the flexibility of being able to personally select their local MeetnGreeter who will best meet their travel needs.

– What are some of the most extraordinary requests you fulfilled in your career? How did it play out?
– Over the past 14-years I have booked honeymoons, surprise birthday trips, anniversaries of all kinds and peoples’ first time in an airplane. Above all I would have to say that my most memorable request was for a couple who were adopting a little Thai boy and then years later a little Thai girl. The adoption process can be such a long, tedious and heart wrenching time that to take away the stress of organizing all elements of travel for them and to be a part of such a life-changing event was truly memorable.

– How do you see the future of travel?
– The future of travel is constantly changing and will always be influenced by technology. But as the whole world becomes more fast-paced and streamlined, more and more people are seeking more cultural immersion, more choices and more personal interactions — more one of a kind experiences!

A direct customer or agent should be able to book a hotel, local expert or tour etc. without too many intermediaries taking ‘their share’. Too much money is being absorbed by middleman parties which ultimately sees the consumer paying more.

– What’s the most important trend in your opinion?
– The most important trend moving forward by far is security. Many people book their travel online and are spending thousands and tens of thousands of dollars doing so each time. They put their credit card details onto unsecured sites and transfer funds to non-existent companies trying to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers … the internet can be fraught with danger and insecurity and I have had many people come to me to assist in fixing such problems.

Customers and agents need to be able to trust the booking source and know that where and how their money is sent is 100% secure and that their arrangements are 100% confirmed.

– What is your favorite destination and why?
– One of my favorite destinations is New York. My wife and I had our first ‘babymoon’ there 6 years ago. It brings back so many great memories just thinking about it! We could easily go back again and again and spend time enjoying more of the city and its unique suburbs.

The food, culture, history, people, landmarks … the list goes on and on! There is no other city like it. We spent 8-nights there and it felt like we didn’t even scratch the surface of what there is to see and do in that amazing city.

– Spring has come :) What countries/events/experiences would you recommend to someone who is planning their trip in spring?
– The #1 ‘thing to-do’ on the Spring travel list would have the be the spectacular Cherry Blossoms in Japan.

Nowhere in the world can compare in the vastness of color and vibrancy of this remarkable sight! In addition to the Cherry Blossom festivals you mustn’t miss out on some of Japan’s other ‘must-dos’ … explore the many districts to enjoy the food and world class restaurants, speed along on a bullet train, try to secure a seat at a Sumo tournament, stay in a traditional Ryokan and temple hop your way around some of these spectacular places of worship. Also, don’t forget a visit to the Robot Bar in Shinjuku or the Kill Bill restaurant in Tokyo!