Celebrating Excellence | 5 Minutes with Nikki Banks

How does it feel to win an ITM Achievement Award?
It feels fantastic and ITM made me feel very special. I felt like a six-year-old girl again on Christmas day. It’s so flattering to be recognised in this way. I was, and still am lost for words. ITM is a great organisation and taking the time to recognise hard work and reward people promotes inspiration, empowers people and it shows that anything is possible if you put the effort in.

 

How did you get into business travel?

I’m guessing it was destiny. I was lucky enough to be approached for the role and the rest is history. It’s really taken me by surprise. There is an abundance of opportunity in a way that I hadn’t foreseen. I have been welcomed with open arms, already made so many genuine friends and have won an industry award in under six months. It says it all really. I couldn’t be happier or recommend the industry highly enough.

 

What’s the best thing about your present job?

The environment, culture and people I work with. TripStax is a great place to work. People are encouraged to be themselves; we embrace creativity, opinion, and expression. We work hard and have fun at the same time.

 

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into the business travel industry?

Do it! If you want it, make it happen. It’s a great industry.

 

Do your research, get in touch with organisations such as ITM, follow the key hashtags on LinkedIn e.g. #businesstravel, network, make connections and read the trade publications.

 

What’s the favourite place you’ve travelled to and why?

43� 1.73 S, 075� 47.90E – the middle of the Southern Ocean on a stripped-down racing yacht. It’s wild, crazy and its sheer enormity is awe-inspiring and takes your breath away. You’re completely vulnerable and totally at the mercy of the vast rolling ocean and nature. It puts many things into perspective and mesmerises your mind. From sea sparkling plankton and wicked mountainous waves, to a sky full of shooting stars. It’s a place of indescribable beauty and fear-inducing unpredictability.
 

What would be your Desert Island item?

I would take a volleyball and name it Wilson.. ha ha ??