The Monday Q&A: Carla McKinnon on a tough 2020, NZ's hidden gems and bucket list locations 14 Mar, 2021 04:00 PM 4 minutes to read Carla McKinnon, owner-operator of House of Travel Wanganui, said 2020 was the hardest year yet for the industry. Photo / Bevan Conley Carla McKinnon, owner-operator of House of Travel Wanganui, said 2020 was the hardest year yet for the industry. Photo / Bevan Conley Talk to us about your upbringing and how you first got involved in the travel industry. I was born and raised in Whanganui and soon after leaving school moved to Portland, Oregon, which fuelled my interest in travel. I'd always seen myself working in the travel industry – so when I returned from overseas and the opportunity of working as a travel agent for House of Travel arose I jumped at the chance. Crazy to think that was 17 years ago.