Biting Questions with Raquel Queensborough, BDM, Jamaica Tourist Board
Open Jaw

Where were you born? In Spanish Town, Jamaica.

How long have you been in the business? Over 20 years, starting in accounting at “the old” Sunquest in the Patrick Brigham days.

How many BDMs are there at the JTB? Two plus a district manager. My territory is Southwestern Ontario and 416 area code. 

What’s the best part of the job? Interactingwith the agents – it’s all about building relationships. I love the social aspect.  

What did you want to be as a kid? A teacher.  But I thought you had to be really, really smart and know everything.

What was your 1st ever job? Usher at Blue Jays games. 

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Ziplining in Jamaica. I’m deathly afraid of heights.

Any guilty pleasures? So many I don’t know where to start! Eating a 12” red velvet cake by myself? Bingewatching TV – Game of Thrones and Power?

What’s on your iPad? A game called Wordament. Highly addictive!

Any hobbies or interests? Volleyball, golf and watching my kids compete in swimming.

When are you happiest? On a beach, in Negril, experiencing sand gravity. I forget about everything.

What skill or talent do you admire in someone? Walking in heels! I’m so jealous of people who can wear heels. Can’t do heels.

Is there anything you won’t eat? Monkey. Insects. No.

What’s at the top of your bucket list? Africa, on a safari.

Ever had a brush with fame? I met a lot of Blue Jays like Joe Carter and George Bell. I had a crush on all of them!

What keeps you awake at night? Bills, bills, bills.

How do you spend your frequent flyer points? Family vacations.

What was your proudest moment? Paying off my student loan, all by myself.

What is your greatest extravagance? My car, a Lexus RX350. It’s amazing.

Who do you most admire in the industry? Not just one person, but I admire female entrepreneurs such as Laurie Keith from Romantic Planet and Raj Pawha with Absolute Wedsite.

How do you stay fit when you travel? I bring an external drive and put in Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred DVD.

If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be? Lower airfares.

If you could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight, who would it be? Girl, that would be actor Shemar Moore. I’d fall asleep on him, for sure (laughs).

Do you have a favourite charity? World Vision.

What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? The fluctuating dollar. And reassuring clients that it’s OK to travel despite the Zika virus.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? Throwing a party for being mortgage free. Professionally? Still talking to agents, helping them and being on the road. I love that part of my job.


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