| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 05/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
open to question: Ian Coyle, Holiday Autos
industry talkn What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Travel consultant for Pickfords Travel. I earned £4,200 per annum.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
Lorraine Jacques, Sally Ferries and the senior management team at Holiday Autos. All for taking the time and effort to invest in personal development.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
The Carphone Warehouse – broker principal, great vision, great idea, market leader in it’s field, worldwide expansion. What a formula.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Any sport but preferably shooting Nottingham Forest back to former glories.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Understand what your customer really wants and remember that the customer always has choices.
n What one thing would you change about your job?
My team call me the e-mail king. Maybe I should get the message.
n What percentage of holiday bookings do you estimate will be taken direct in five years’ time?
Who knows, other than the customer? The customer is very likely to stick with the outlet that gives the best service.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Holidayautos.com was launched as a bookable site just before Christmas. Booking levels are very encouraging and the travel trade site is receiving excellent reviews from the trade.
n How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?
Every single one that embraces new technology developments while maintaining customer service levels.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
Car rental will still be a massive earning opportunity for agents and Holiday Autos will still be providing unrivalled support to the trade.
profile
Job title: national sales manager, UK andIreland.
Path to career: started as a travel consultant at Pickfords Travel in 1988 leaving as branch manager in 1991. Joined Sally Ferries in 1991 as a sales executive, leaving as key account manager in 1997. Joined Holiday Autos in 1997 starting as regional sales manager, then going on to become general sales manager (north) before taking up current position.
n What is your star sign?
Aquarius.
n What would you change about yourself?
A massive fear of spiders.
n Which living person do you most respect and why?
Mohammed Ali for his strength of belief and character.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
I would go with Cameron Diaz anywhere.
n What’s the corniest chat-up line you’ve ever used?
Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?Sad, I know.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
South Africa for its diversity in both its culture and habitat.
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
Camping in a tent.
n What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
The programme is The Royle Family, the film is The Mask and the book is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
n How do you relax?
At the weekends spending time with my young family and playing sport.
n What would you have put on yourgravestone?
On this tombstone neatly lacquered, just three words God, I’m knackered.
personal talk