We’re excited to share that Sumaiya Yasmin has joined the ITC team!
Sumaiya Yasmin has joined the ITC team as our new Botany tutor!
Sumaiya Yasmin has recently joined the ITC whanau as a tutor, bringing with her a truly impressive wealth of experience – including visiting 92 countries!
For example, she has seven years’ experience as a Senior Cabin Crew for Qatar Airways and a Premium Host at Auckland Airport for Qantas/OACIS.
We of course had to ask Sumaiya a little more, from what her favourite job has been (before now!), so how she thinks her experience will best help her ITC students.
How did you begin your passion for the tourism industry?
I like to say I followed my heart, and it led me straight to the airport. Once I discovered what really happens behind the scenes in aviation, I was hooked on the training, the teamwork, the responsibility, and the privilege of caring for people in the sky. That mix of adventure, discipline, and human connection is what sparked my passion and has kept me in love with this industry ever since.
What does your travel industry history look like?
My aviation journey officially took off in 2016, when I started flying as F2(Economy crew) Cabin Crew after being selected from over 5,000 candidates.
In 2018, I moved into a First Class Cabin Crew role, looking after premium guests and learning how to deliver truly exceptional service. By 2022, I had become a Cabin Senior and CRM Trainer, leading teams on board and coaching crew in human factors and communication.
In 2024, I swapped the cabin for the terminal and joined Qantas Airways as a Premium Host, supporting VIP and premium passengers on the ground. Along the way, I’ve travelled to 92 countries, which has greatly strengthened my cultural intelligence, communication skills, and understanding of global aviation.
What was your favourite job you’ve done (aside from your new role at ITC!)?
My favourite role would have to be First Class Cabin Crew. It offered a special blend of luxury and responsibility, where I could create calm, personalised experiences for premium passengers while remaining fully focused on safety.
I loved the small details remembering preferences, anticipating needs, and seeing how thoughtful service could transform a journey. That role refined my professionalism and gave me some of the most memorable moments of my flying career (flying with diplomats, the King of Qatar, or celebrities it was all just magical).
How will your experience help support students?
I bring both in‑flight and ground experience, so I can give students a real, balanced picture of what working in aviation and tourism is like.
My background includes emergency procedures, firefighting, first aid and CPR, water survival, security, dangerous goods, and premium service, so I can explain the serious side of the job in a clear and encouraging way.
As a former Cabin Senior and CRM Trainer, I’m used to coaching people in teamwork, communication, fatigue management, and conflict handling. This means I can help students connect their learning to real-life scenarios and develop the confidence and professionalism that employers are looking for.
What are you looking forward to the most in your new role?
I’m really looking forward to sharing the “insider” reality of cabin crew life and premium ground roles with students who are just starting out. It will be exciting to watch their confidence grow as they build new skills, ask questions, and realize that a global career in aviation and tourism is within reach.
I’m also excited to bring my experience from 92 countries into the classroom and help students see just how big, diverse, and rewarding this industry can be.
What do you think are the most important skills to have in the tourism industry?
For me, the key skills are a blend of safety focus, service mindset, and people skills.
A strong safety mindset and the ability to stay calm and follow procedures under pressure are essential. Equally important are genuine care for customers, clear communication, and strong teamwork supported by good crew resource management. Cultural sensitivity, confident conflict management, and effective problem‑solving make a huge difference when things don’t go to plan.
Professional grooming and brand representation, along with resilience and good fatigue management, complete the toolkit for a successful career.
What is your best advice for those getting into the industry now?
Treat your training as your ticket to the world – especially the safety and emergency components, because they sit at the heart of the role.
Be open to different entry points, whether in the cabin or on the ground, as each role builds valuable experience and can lead to new opportunities. Take real pride in your attitude, grooming, and communication; these are noticed immediately in aviation.
Most of all, embrace diversity and be ready to learn from everyone you meet, because colleagues and customers from all over the world are one of the greatest rewards of this industry.
Want to learn from incredible industry pros like Sumaiya?
Sumaiya has an impressive work history, and one that’s perfect to help teach the next generation of students all about travel and tourism – with real-world experience to back it up. But it’s not just Sumaiya – the entire ITC team can share their extensive travel and tourism experience, too!
That’s because at ITC, we ensure that you’re not just learning from the courses themselves, you’re also learning from people who are passionate about travel and tourism, and who have experience in the industry themselves.
Explore our course options here, and get in touch with us here to learn more!
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