It’s the end of an era for Neil Robertson as he leaves MTA, saying it’s been an area of incredible growth and learning, but it’s time to “take a breather”.
Neil Robertson, a member of Karryon’s Luxury Travel Advisory Board, spent most of his career in aviation, with 14 years with Virgin before taking on the role as head of product at MTA nearly four years ago.
“It’s been one of my shorter chapters, but one of the most compelling areas of learning and growth.
“Unlike aviation, which largely remains the same, MTA is an entire ecosystem with moving parts, and while it was less than four years, what I have learnt and the relationships I have created will stay with me forever.”
Robertson says the decision to leave was his and came after witnessing some tragic deaths of people he knew, which inevitably makes you “take pause and reflect”.
“There comes a time when you reassess what you want to do, and the industry is all-consuming, and I’m not naive that the next role probably will be too, but I need to take some time out and reassess what I want to do next, but I have had a taste of luxury, and that’s where I’d like to stay.”
He says one of the biggest changes in the time since he started with MTA is a broader realisation that you don’t need to be tied to brick-and-mortar to be successful.
“Travel advisors realise that they get more work-life balance by becoming independent contractors, and that’s why so many leave to do just that, because they think, I don’t need to be here, I have my own client base, and I know what they want, and I can get the support I need to be successful with this model.
“There’s a perception the consumer will go to the high street, but now in the age of the trusted advisor, geographic location isn’t important.
“I do believe we have been undervalued in the role the independent plays in the industry, but now we’re starting to play catch-up. I’m proud of our member base and its growth, and while the last few months with the Middle East have seen a slowing in demand, I think like COVID, there’s a focus on waiting for stability, and we’ll see that pent-up demand just like we did after the pandemic.”
Robertson says looking to the future, he expects unprecedented growth in diversification.
“More organisations are purchasing verticals; look at Marriott and the many brands they have in luxury and lifestyle and businesses like G Adventures and Intrepid; they have something to appeal to almost every demographic and budget and taste, and I think we’ll see more of that. You don’t have to put all your eggs in one basket.”
He says wellness is also an area we’ll see phenomenal growth.
“We have all come to the realisation that we’re going to live longer, and we want to live better, and wellness will continue to be a key part of people’s consciousness.”
And he’s now decided to walk the talk.
“I want to focus on my wellness. I’ll miss the relationships, but there comes a time when you become so invested we continue down a path when really we need to take pause and plan for the future.
“But what will stay with me the most is the care and concern advisors take to turn a trip into something so memorable that it lasts the rest of your life; there is so much desire to make it happen, and they do, and that’s something I think is a great learning from the industry. Just how much we care.”
