| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 24/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 56 |
| Copyright: Other |
Industry players work hard but spend leisure time horsing around
Travel professionals tell Lauren Mills about their hobbies
THE UK’s favourite leisure pursuits may revolve around mundane activities like reading, shopping and visiting friends but travel industry professionals lead rather more exciting lives.After they have finished a long day’s work in the world of travel, they head off to do a whole variety of interesting things in their spare time.
When Connect Car Rental managing director Adrian Duthie takes a day off, he spends it in a courtroom, deciding the fate of the defendants brought up before him.
Duthie, who has been a magistrate since 1995, said he took it up because of a strong interest in the law and how justice should be carried out. He also wanted to do something for the public good.
“I think you should give something back to the community when you take so much out of it,” he said.
“I get to meet people from all walks of life, from bus drivers to people with lots of time on their hands.
“Working in law really opens your eyes. You see the same families constantly appearing in the court room.”
It can happen that enjoying a hobby completely unrelated to travel ends up boosting your career prospects.
For instance, Cecily Barton found her first job in the travel industry through her keen interest in horse riding.
“I’ve been horse riding for 19 years and one of my friends at the stables knew I was looking for a job after university. She asked me if I would like to come and work with her at the Asia Travel Marketing Association where she is regional director,” explained Barton, who is now regional marketing executive at the association.
Pan Pacific UK sales manager Sandra Morris admits that her hobby makes her experience an adrenaline rush that takes her mind off the travel industry totally.
She devotes one day a month to travelling all over the country in a classic MGB motor car.
“I have always been interested in motor sports,” she said. “I am mainly influenced by my mum. Even now she watches every single Grand Prix.
“Every year my husband and I take part in the classic car rally from Bath to Northampton. I have even won the Malaysia Airlines driver of the day award.”
Of course, some people find extra-curricular activities help them make new circles of friends or even meet someone they will spend the rest of their life with.
Singapore Airlines group travel officer Valerie Lowry buys run-down houses, restores them to their full potential and then sells them on.
“Now my hobby takes over our lives. Every weekend is spent working on our home to make it look the best.”
So the next time you just flop down on the sofa after a weary day of toil at the travel coalface, just think of all the fulfiling alternatives out there that can both begin and end with the travel industry.
A stable environment: a love of horses brought one player her big break, while another is a magistrate in his free time