| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 17/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 15 |
| Copyright: Other |
people profile
open to question: Jo Spalburg, Caribbean Tourism Organisation
profileJob title: director of marketing Europe.
Path to career: front-office staff at Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam in 1983 leaving as reservations manager in 1984. Hilton International sales executive in 1986. Sales director for Jet Hotels in 1988. Joined Sheraton Luxury Hotels in London as international account manager in 1992. Joined Morris Kevan International as European sales manager in 1993 and Howarth Axe Consultants as commercial director in 1996. Joined the Caribbean Tourism Organisationas European marketing manager in 1997 before promotion to present position this year.
industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Front office at the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam. The minimum wage back in 1983 was about £7,200 a year.
n What, apart from your current position, would be your ideal job in travel?
Working in the Caribbean with an opportunity to travel abroad on a regular basis sounds idyllic to me.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Working as a DJ when I was a student.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
The thought of working as a musician attracts me but Iwould probably have ended up working in PR, advertising or international trading, which would allow me to use my language skills.
n What do you always carry with you to work?
My communicator, travel and credit cards and toothbrush.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Don’t fear working hard and playing hard and don’t forget it’s important to be yourself.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
www.caribtourism.com will be revised before the end of the year with a booking facility in the future.
n What one thing would you change about your job?
Less bureaucracy would be welcome so more things could get done.
n Do you think the growing consolidation in the industry is good for consumers?
Yes, because it will lead to greater economies of scale and lower prices and no, because there is a risk of multinationals dictating the market.
n Do you agree with travel agents charging a fee for their work?
In certain markets, travel agents’ fees are already normal business practice. I think this will become more commonplace as the industry evolves.
n What is your star sign?
Libra.
n Which living person do you most respect and why?
My parents, because they have always supported me as much as possible and given me a chance to do what Iwanted to do.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
Last December I took my dad on a cruise, which was an effective and relaxing way to show him around the Caribbean, which he had not seen since 1962.
n What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are varied and include vexillology (the study of flags), Caribbean/Latin American music and dance, all indoor sports and water sports – but only when the sun shines.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
Visiting South Africa during the days of apartheid was a memorable experience.
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
Any package group tour that doesn’t allow any time or liberty to explore.
n What’s your idea of a great night out?
Invite some good friends, have a fine dinner together, enjoy a great show and a little dance afterwards.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
No gravestone required since I consider cremation to be a better way to go. I’d have my ashes scattered over the Caribbean sea.