| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 19/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
open to question: PaulTilstone, StatesmanTravel
profileJob title: sales and marketing manager.
Path to career: from 1991 to 1993 was overseas rep for Thomson. Joined Uniglobe Travel in 1993 as business development manager. Left in 1995 to become sales manager for Portman Travel. Joined Statesman Travel in 1999 in current position.
industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?I worked as an overseas rep with Thomson Travel inGreece. I was paid £3,000 per annum plus commission.n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?My first ever sales colleague, Peter Watts, who taught me that if you keep on calling you’ll get your chance eventually.n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?Overseas rep for Thomson – as a 22 year-old it was a great life.n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?EasyJet and Easyeverything because they make things so simple and introduce innovative products for the 21st century.n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?Travel is my destiny but if not… I’d be a game show host.n What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?Winning the Saatchi and Saatchi account for Portman Travel.n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?Go travelling before you start otherwise you’ll get very jealous of everyone jetting all over the world. n How many hours do you work, on average, each week?About 40 hours. Work hard, rest hard, that’s my philosophy.n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?Yes, but its a temporary while we have a site designed (due at end of July). The address is www.statesman-travel.co.ukn How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?I think that anywhere near to a third of the existing agents will either be swallowed up or disappear altogether.n Make one prediction about travel in the next decade:It won’t change as much as people think it will but whatever happens Statesman Travel will be there.
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?I worked as an overseas rep with Thomson Travel inGreece. I was paid £3,000 per annum plus commission.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
My first ever sales colleague, Peter Watts, who taught me that if you keep on calling you’ll get your chance eventually.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Overseas rep for Thomson – as a 22 year-old it was a great life.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
EasyJet and Easyeverything because they make things so simple and introduce innovative products for the 21st century.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Travel is my destiny but if not… I’d be a game show host.
n What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
Winning the Saatchi and Saatchi account for Portman Travel.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Go travelling before you start otherwise you’ll get very jealous of everyone jetting all over the world.
n How many hours do you work, on average, each week?
About 40 hours. Work hard, rest hard, that’s my philosophy.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Yes, but its a temporary while we have a site designed (due at end of July). The address is www.statesman-travel.co.uk
n How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?
I think that anywhere near to a third of the existing agents will either be swallowed up or disappear altogether.
n Make one prediction about travel in the next decade:
It won’t change as much as people think it will but whatever happens Statesman Travel will be there.
personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Pisces.
n What would you change about yourself?
My height, although I think small people dance better!
n Which living person do you most respect and why?
My partner, because she puts up with me and I know Ican be a pain. Also Sir Richard Branson because he comes across so naturally and you can trust him.
n What is your greatest regret?
I don’t regret anything because it’s all led me to where Iam in life now and I’m very happy with my lot.
n What is your greatest extravagance?
Shirts and ties, I can’t get enough of all the bright colours.
n If you could be anyone for the day who would you be and why?
Bruce Forsyth so I could host all the game shows Iliked.
n What is your greatest vice?
Smoking and Jack Daniels.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
My best mate David and we’d go somewhere we hadn’t been before.
n What’s your idea of a great night out?
Anything that involves stimulating conversation, good food and lots of laughing.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Happy in life, happy in death.