| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 03/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
people profile
open to question: Rocio Rossi, Dominican Republic Tourist Board
profileJob title: executive director.
Path to career: Rocio started as a producer of the BBC World Service’s Latin American Service in 1995 before becoming a guest writer/present on BBC Radio Four’s From Their Own Correspondent in 1996. In 1997, Rocio returned to the BBC World Service as a part-time producer before joining the Dominican Republic Tourist Board in 1998 as UKdirector.
industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
My first job in travel is my current job.
n What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
To re-establish the image of the Dominican Republic in the UKand gain back the public confidence in the destination.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
My grandfather because he encouraged me to do my best and to work hard. Most of all he gave me confidence.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
My previous one, working as a producer for the Latin American Service at the BBC.
n What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
Gaining back the confidence of the British public in the Dominican Republic as a number one destination.
n What one thing would you change about your job?
My job is based in London but I would like to be able to travel back to the Dominican Republic more often.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Working in the tourism industry can be challenging and rewarding and I think that the key to success is dedication and hard work.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
EasyJet because the new concept they have developed is interesting. The no-frills idea, which has benefited customers, has been a total success. In my opinion, the way of doing good business is that – a customer-led business always caring for the customers.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
The globalisation of trade, the emergence of information economies and the growth of the Internet with the development of e-commerce will lead to changes in the industry. The main change will probably be a greater accessibility – that is self-service or direct access to bookings/reservations, for example.
personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Taurus.
n What would you change about yourself?
My sight. I am short-sighted so it would be nice to have perfect vision.
n Which living person do you most respect and why?
Sister Aurelia, my primary teacher, because she taught me not to judge people for what they look like but for what they are.
n What is your greatest vice?
Dominican coffee.
n If you could be anyone for the day who would you be and why?
Richard Branson. I admire self-starters like him.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
Pierce Brosnan and we would go to the Dominican Republic.
n What are your hobbies?
Writing poems, travelling and cycling.
n What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
My favourite programme is Frasier, the book is The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende and the film is Casablanca.
n What is your idea of a great night out?
A nice dinner followed by dancing at a nightclub.
n How do you relax?
I relax by taking a warm bath with aromatherapy oils and plenty of candles all over the place.