The World Traveller Winter 2017 | Page 50

Orbit’s Ros Hakim Celebrates 50 years in Travel Orbit World Travel recently raised their glasses to travel advisor Ros Hakim, who is this year celebrating half a century of working in the industry. Ros commenced her travel career in Johannesburg with Qantas in 1967 - the same year the carrier introduced Boeing 707V aircraft. After emigrating to Australia in 1979, she commenced working as a travel agent, eventually opening her own agency in 1995. Edgecliff based Travel Creations operated for eight years and was eventually sold when retirement beckoned. However her clients and the industry brought her back, and since that time Ros has been operating her own customer portfolio at Orbit World Travel. Asked about what kept her in the game for so long, Ros said: “I am passionate about travel and the joy it brings to people; the different experiences, whether it’s architecture, history, cuisine, great whisky or wine, art, whatever - travel opens people’s eyes and minds and I love that I get to do that every day!” She added that the excitement of the fast-changing industry was also thrilling. “Destinations evolve and technology has made a huge difference to how we research and book travel and I enjoy the challenge of keeping up with it all. “There is never a dull day in my life,” she added. Ros said she had seen fundamental changes in the travel industry, from handwritten BSP tickets, airline notifications via telex machines, to faxed fare sheets and now today where carriers are updating their product constantly and technology is making travel management instantaneous. And it hasn’t all been about travel, with Ros also very active on the Gold Dinner Committee for the Sydney Children’s Hospital which has raised millions of dollars for sick children over the last 20 years. 50 orbitworldtravel.com.au Fast Facts about Ros Favourite Destinations Bhutan and Namibia Ros has another passion Food, which marries perfectly with her passion for travel A sought after mentor Having trained & coached many of Australia’s top consultants Sits on the Gold Dinner Committee For the Sydney Childrens Hospital Virtuoso Nominee 2017 Most Admired Advisor:Asia/Pacific