At Helloworld Frontliners Conference in Fiji, Emily Noble from Helloworld Travel Rochedale took home the Rising Star (Branded) award, recognising exceptional initiative, growth and potential within the Helloworld network.
For Emily, the honour was both a surprise and a validation of her steady development as a travel advisor. Her recognition speaks to the importance of curiosity, adaptability and the confidence to evolve in an ever-changing industry.
Karryon caught up with Emily to talk about her journey, the skills that have shaped her, and what she hopes to bring to the future of travel.
What’s one skill you’ve grown into over your career, something you didn’t have at the start but now consider core to how you operate as an advisor?
When I first started, I thought being a good advisor was all about accuracy and product knowledge. Whilst important, over time, I’ve realised the most important value in my work is personalisation. I’ve learned that being a great advisor means recognising that no two clients are the same, and neither should their itineraries be. This means moving past the standard request and tailoring the journey by understanding what makes each client unique. This human-first focus allows me to design trips that genuinely fit the person, and not just a standard package or generic itinerary.
Was there anything in your team culture or support systems that helped you build confidence early on?
The biggest advantage for me was being part of a small, locally owned agency, Helloworld Travel Rochedale Shopping Village. For a long time, it was just my boss and I, which meant I wasn’t just ‘another new starter.’ That dynamic immediately offered a level of one-on-one mentorship that is rare. Tina created a safe environment where I felt encouraged to ask all the questions and even make small mistakes, knowing there was a safety net. This combination of a supportive safety net and being treated like a professional partner from day one built my confidence incredibly fast, forcing me to step up and truly back myself in the role.
Has any advice, reality check, or moment of constructive challenge genuinely reshaped the way you approach your work?
When I first started, my perception of success was based on how fast I could turn around a quote or booking. I quickly realised that while I celebrated a quick sale, the client often felt done and not happy. The piece of advice I received was simple: “your clients feel your pace”. This showed me that my urgency could easily translate into client anxiety or make them feel unheard. It completely reshaped my process; I now prioritise intentionally bringing calmness and clarity into planning, understanding that the quality of the relationship is far more valuable than the speed of the output.
What’s a misconception about young or emerging advisors that you’d love to see the wider industry move on from?
There’s an assumption that because younger advisors haven’t been in the industry for twenty years, we lack real experience. In reality, many of us are well travelled, curious and constantly building knowledge through lived experiences and self-education. Our age isn’t a disadvantage, it actually means we tackle challenges with a fresh, adaptable perspective that drives innovation and helps the industry evolve.
If you could overhaul one part of how the industry inducts and upskills new advisors, what would you change? And why would that shift matter?
If I could overhaul one part of how the industry inducts new advisors, I would shift the focus beyond just systems training. Learning how to use booking platforms is important, but it’s only one piece of what makes a good advisor. New consultants also need support in understanding client psychology, communication, and expectation management, the skills that shape real relationships and prevent issues before they arise. I’d also love to see more structured destination training early on. When advisors understand the “why” behind a destination, not just the logistics, they can sell with more confidence and authenticity. Strengthening these areas would help new advisors feel capable sooner and create a stronger foundation for long-term success.
With Rising Star under your belt, where are you hoping to channel that momentum over the next chapter? Any goals, passions, or areas of growth you’ve got your eye on?
This award has given me a platform, and I want to use it to contribute to shaping the industry’s future. My involvement as a Canada Radical Ambassador has already shown me the power of sharing authentic, firsthand perspectives, and I want to keep bringing that energy into the wider industry. Whether it’s through content creation, speaking opportunities, or strengthening supplier partnerships, I see this momentum as a chance to grow my impact beyond sales. My goal is to be someone who actively participates in the bigger conversations about where modern travel is headed, championing fresh, relevant insights.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Emily Noble’s Rising Star win celebrates a new kind of advisor: curious, thoughtful and committed to building genuine relationships that reflect the evolving expectations of modern travellers.
