Industry Leaders to Know: Tenille Hunt

If you’ve ever spoken to someone truly passionate about the polar regions, chances are you’ve met Tenille Hunt.

As Regional Director APAC for Quark Expeditions, Tenille is a recognised expert in polar travel, with over 14 years dedicated to the world’s most remote and pristine destinations. From Antarctica to Svalbard, she’s not just visited these places, she knows them inside out.

I caught up with Tenille as part of our Industry Leaders to Know series. Her story is one of adventure, purpose, and genuine love for sharing the polar experience with others.

Tanille Hunt, Regional Director APAC for Quark Expeditions

Can you start by introducing yourself? Tell us a bit about your background and your role in the travel industry.

I’ve been in the travel industry for over 17 years, and for the past 14, I’ve specialised in polar travel. It all started when I worked on a yacht in the Whitsundays after high school. That experience sparked something in me, I came home, studied Business Management (Tourism), and never looked back.

I spent years travelling and working abroad, snow seasons in France, a mega yacht in Turkey (yes, very Below Deck), and time in a hostel in Buenos Aires. I eventually came home to Melbourne and joined G Adventures. That was the start of my long-term career in adventure and expedition travel, which led me to the polar regions.

What do you love most about polar travel?

Everything! It’s impossible to explain until you’ve experienced it. These places are raw, powerful, emotional. From the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia to chasing puffins in Greenland, every trip is different and unforgettable. My role lets me bring travellers to the edge of the world and that’s a real privilege.

One of my all-time favourite trips was exploring the Patagonian coastline by air, land, and sea. Next up: the High Canadian Arctic. I can't wait.

What inspired you to pursue a career in travel—and what’s kept you passionate over the years?

I’ve always known I wanted to work in travel. I was drawn to the idea of connecting people with the world, and that’s still what motivates me today. What’s kept me going is how different every day is, especially in polar travel, no two expeditions are the same.

What’s one trend or innovation you think travel agents should focus on in 2025?

Multi-generational travel. Think: smaller groups, slower pace, meaningful experiences. People aren’t talking about “bucket lists” anymore—they’re thinking about doing things while they can. Polar travel fits right into that shift. It’s less about ticking boxes, and more about transformation.

What’s something surprising or fun that not many people know about you?

I got a puppy last month! Her name is Rocket, she’s a Boxer, and she’s turned my world upside down, in the best way. In this industry, we’re always on the go, but Rocket has forced me to slow down. I’m walking to the beach twice a day now and somehow getting more done. That said, if you’re missing a high heel... she probably has it.

At TADA 25, we’re here to celebrate the real people behind the bookings, expeditions, and stories that move us. Tenille’s passion for polar travel and her unwavering commitment to exploration represent the heart of what makes our industry so special.

Her story is a reminder that sometimes, the best way to find yourself is by heading to the ends of the Earth.