IN HIS OWN WORDS…

MY Y FACTORS: Culture & Community and The Unexpected.

Y WISDOM: “Give a lot of serious thought on what to pack because I have often found I only wear half the clothes I pack!”

Y WISHLIST: “Having visited so many amazing destinations throughout my career, my ‘wishlist’ now consists of revisiting places where I have family (United States and UK) and to travel with friends on cruises and safaris.”

While the job titles of ‘Civil Engineer’ and ‘Travel Agent’ may seem worlds apart, Rob Mackie’s journey from his early training and practice as an engineer, to taking the leap and founding one of Melbourne’s most successful and enduring travel agencies, Trans World Travel in 1979, has more parallels than you might think. Both careers share surprisingly similar skill sets, involving elements of design, planning, project management, costing and budgeting, meticulous attention to detail, documentation, site inspections, and continuous learning and development - but choosing to pursue a path in travel ultimately proved too enticing, and Rob has never looked back.

Rob’s passion for travel and his four decades in the travel industry have seen him explore most corners of the globe. In keeping with his engineering background, it’s not surprising that he counts visiting the intricately carved temples of Angkor Wat, witnessing firsthand the beauty, symmetry, and scale of the Taj Mahal, marvelling at the incredible ancient civilizations of the Incas at Machu Picchu, walking in the footsteps of warriors on the Great Wall of China, and being amazed at the exquisite blending of cultures in the architectural masterpiece that is the Alhambra Palace, among his favourite travel experiences.

In recent years, Rob has become passionate about cruising as the perfect way to have a relaxing holiday while watching the world go by. He loves the luxury of only having to pack and unpack once during the journey, the variety of dining and entertainment experiences on board, and the diverse range of cruise companies catering to every budget, destination, and area of special interest. Of course, for Rob, the joy of travel is also about the people the experience is shared with, and he loves nothing more than experiencing a cruise with a group of close-knit, like-minded friends as his ultimate holiday.

Contact Rob: rjmackie@twt.com.au