| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
people profile
open to question: Mike Booker, Wallace Arnold
profileJob title: national sales manager.
Path to career: started at Davis World Travel as travel clerk in 1969. Left to join Park Travel/Renwicks as assistant manager in 1975. Became branch manager at Grace Travel/Hogg Robinson in 1976. Joined Althams Travel as branch manager in 1977. Left to join Pakistan International Airlines as passenger sales promotion officer in 1978. Joined Speedbird Holidays as northern sales and promotion executive in 1981. Left to join Jetset tours as northern sales manager in 1986. Joined Hayes and Jarvis as business development manager in 1987. Joined Wallace Arnold in current position in 1998.
industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
I got £5, 10 shillings a week in May 1969 at Davis World Travel. I then received a 10 shillings per week pay rise after six months.
n What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
Getting over the fear of flying.
n What has been your most embarrassing moment in the travel industry?
I was leading an agents’ educational to China. We were in a village in the middle of nowhere when a little Chinese girl walked up to me in front of everyone and touched my tummy and said “baby?” Anyone who knows me is aware I’m slightly overweight.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
My first boss, Dickie Davis of Davis World Travel in Fareham. He’s now in his 80s. He was firm but fair, a proper agent. He taught me everything Ineeded to know for a career in travel.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
My five years at Speedbird Holidays where I went on some excellent educationals to far away destinations, worked with a great bunch of people and had a super boss – BillArcher.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
I may well have been in the police force, however I think Iwould really like to have been an army officer. I was an officer in the Territorial Army for a number of years.
n What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
Successfully promoting the massive extension of our Close to Home joining point network, with my team of five account managers.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Get a good basic training. Look, listen and learn from others. Don’t be scared to ask questions. A good knowledge of geography is a must.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
More people will want to travel even further afield.
personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Leo.
n What is your greatest extravagance?
I am an avid collector of military antiques and curios – my wife tells me I am sad and the house is not a museum.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
Sir Chris Bonnington, the climber. I would love to trek in the Himalayas.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
India – I love the culture, the food, the historic sights and the people are wonderful.
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
Anywhere that is over commercialised with tacky souvenir shops and crowds.
n What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
I love quiz programmes, of the Mastermind/University Challenge type. My favourite film is Bridge over the River Kwai and the book is a world atlas, corny I know, but Inever tire of looking through an atlas and learn something new each time I open its pages.
n How do you relax?
I find it difficult to relax. I need to work at this more as I’m told I’m a workaholic.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Yorkshire born, Yorkshire bred, travelled the world and back in Yorkshire now I’m dead. I love the county more than anywhere else in all the places Ihave travelled to.