| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 24/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
people profile
open to question: John Read, Interglobe
profileJob title: director of business development.
Path to career: started at Thomas Cook in 1971 as tea boy and left as business travel supervisor. Joined Lunn Poly in 1978 as branch manager and left as regional sales manager. In 1981 joined Thomson. Held management positions in commercial and marketing until 1986. Become managing director of The Leisure Corp then Interglobe director of business development.
industry talk
n What has been your biggest challenge in the travelindustry?
Introducing phone cards to the travel industry and getting 70% market share.
n What, apart from your current position, would be your ideal job in travel?
Managing directorof Thomson Travel Group.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
Roger Davies when he was MDat Thomson. His energy was staggering.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Buying in the US and the Caribbean for Thomson.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
EasyJet is very impressive.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
A game keeper or head gardener.
n What have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
I always get a kick from signing a new deal.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Make enough noise to get heard.
n What one thing would you change about your job?
Not having a two-hour commute each way.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
We are currently updating the site. However, the old one, although poor, still got many hits.
n Do you think the growing consolidation in the industry is good for consumers?
No but it is inevitable.
n How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?
I think there will be about 4,000 shops.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
Short breaks will become an important safety valve for hard workers so the market will prosper.
personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Cancer.
n What would you change about yourself?
Lose several stones.
n Which living person do you most respect and why?
My wife for putting up with me, can’t be easy.
n If you could be anyone for the day who would you be and why?
My boss so I could promote me.
n What is your greatest vice?
Too much red wine.
n What are your hobbies?
Armchair sport and my garden.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
Possibly Venice as it’s just so different.
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
I’ve asked my wife to shoot me if Iever suggest we go on an oldies holiday to Spain.
n What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
My favourite TV programme is Sharpe, the film is Toy Story 2 and I enjoy any book by Jack Higgins.
n What’s your idea of a great night out?
A very good meal with the family.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
We remember him well – The Vintners Association.