QRC graduate Lydia Tan, originally from Malaysia has always had a love for adventure and the outdoors and completed her Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management in 2013.
With a love of ropes, she interned with the renowned Canyoning Queenstown
Like many others Lydia chose to study at QRC due to our unique location in the Adventure Tourism Capital of the World. She was also attracted by the programmes unique curriculum.
She is now the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Aerial Attractions and builds adventure parks around the world.
Lydia says one of the biggest takeaways from her studies at QRC was understanding how to actually manage an adventure tourism business. That included everything from finance to client satisfaction.
Read more about Lydia’s journey below:
Why did you choose QRC?
I chose to study at QRC because of its location in the Adventure Tourism Capital of the World. The course curriculum was also of interest to me as I wanted to learn about the management aspects of running an adventure-based business.
Where did you undertake your internship?
Due to my love of ropes, I did my internship with Canyoning Queenstown
Tell me about your journey since graduating from QRC in 2013.
I travelled Europe as soon as I left QRC and then I did a course with CIC – International Association of professional CIC canyon guides. After that I did some climbing apprenticeships in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Next, I was offered the opportunity to build a ropes course in Nashville, Tennessee and thereafter I started offering 3D CAD drawings for adventure parks.
Since then, I’ve been designing and manufacturing these parks for clients all over North America.
I also compete in Rope Access competitions and my team’s name is Yes Ma’am. So far in all competitions we are the only all women’s team. We compete alongside the men and it’s a lot of fun.
What role are you in now?
I am currently the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Aerial Attractions. We deliver fully immersive and customized aerial attractions through the creation of exhilarating and innovative structures. The combination of obstacles and climbs brings participants face-to-face with their physical fitness and mental toughness. Our designs offer a wide range of challenges for adventurers, regardless of skill or age
What are your main responsibilities?
I am mainly involved in the technical side of the production as well as project management during assembly.
Essentially, I design the adventure parks according to the desire of the client and provide support from visualization to permit application as well as all the production drawing for manufacturing. I also work on site when the parts are delivered to supervise the assembly of the park and provide training until handover.
We’ve just completed 2 projects here in the US. The first in Arlington VA and a second one in Chelan WA. Chelan is very much like Queenstown situated next to a deep cold lake with beautiful scenery surrounded by mountains.
Actually, working in Chelan really made me miss Queenstown so much.
How did your time at QRC help prepare you for your current job?
One of the biggest takeaways from my studies at QRC was understanding how to actually manage an adventure tourism business. That included everything from finance to client satisfaction.
What do you enjoy the most about your current position?
I love the diversity associated with my job and seeing a project go from my computer screen to assembly. Probably the thing that gives me the greatest satisfaction is when I see people actually using the parks, whether they are beginners or professionals.
What is your ultimate career goal?
To have Aerial Attractions towers built in every capital city as well as in renown tourist destinations around the world… like Queenstown!
Any words of wisdom that have helped you on your journey?
Cease every opportunity and just do it!
