| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 21/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 61 |
| Copyright: Other |
meetthe
MD
This week: Helen O’Brien, African Pride
I FIRSTwent to Nottingham University to study maths and engineering. This was interrupted by the illness of my mother. I did go back for a year but decided engineering wasn’t for me, so I looked for a job.Having previously spent several summers working in Switzerland and Germany and visited Zambia a couple of times, Iwas keen to find a job in travel.I saw a job at Thomas Cook in Nottingham, had an interview with Charles McClelland and was offered the position. I think he was impressed I knew more than one city in Switzerland.This was in 1974, the first year of the 24-hour money-back guarantee scheme. I was employed as a relief clerk to cover several offices in the Midlands and South Yorkshire area. However, with no training and only the person next to me as a guide, I found myself at the counter with no experience. After a year with Thomas Cook, I felt I needed a change. I saw a vacancy advertised with South African Airways in Birmingham. Although I did not have the qualifications it was asking for, I did apply for the job, after being encouraged to do so by Helen Wild, the SAA representative for the area. As I didn’t expect to get it, I was extremely surprised when I was offered the job. I spent two years with SAA as a reservations and ticketing clerk, which was a complete contrast to being a travel agent.I learned a great deal with SAA, and after two years, was given the opportunity of moving to Zimbabwe (Rhodesia as it was then). I then spent six months working in the accounts department of SAA in Harare.This was 1977, during the war of independence, and although I can remember travelling from Harare to the South African border in an armoured convey, I also remember the friendliness and hospitality of all the Zimbabwean people – what a country. On reflection, I suppose Zimbabwe gave me my love of Africa.A year later, I was back in the UK, and again in need of a job. I accepted a position with Japan Airlines in Manchester, again in reservations and ticketing.Another year later, I was lucky enough to see an advert for staff to work in York for tour operator Southern Africa Travel. When I started, John Auren was the managing director. To begin with we had one room, two desks and shared one telephone. The operation soon grew and SAT was employing 10 staff within five years. We were one of the first specialist operators concentrating on southern Africa – in fact for many years there were only six specialist tour operators in the UK featuring southern Africa – just look at the number today!Due to the then political situation in South Africa and constant media coverage, the destination was not always easy to sell but the firm continued to be successful and as well as expanding in southern Africa, it also developed programmes to Latin America and Australia.Naturally, with this expansion I had the chance to visit many places – remote Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean – the Australian outback and game reserves throughout Africa. John Auren retired from Southern Africa Travel five years ago. It was a privilege to have worked with him and to have learned such a lot. I admit after 20 years with the firm I never thought I would leave but late last year a new challenge appeared – African Pride. Here was the opportunity to create a specialist tour operation bringing together all the knowledge, enthusiasm and love of Africa built up over the years. The whole concept is based on giving totally unbiased advice on the best holiday and safari combined with personal service and professionalism – thus creating a quality holiday at a realistic and competitive price. We are great supporters of the independent agent, as we believe the discerning traveller is looking to such agents for advice and guidance.
I FIRSTwent to Nottingham University to study maths and engineering. This was interrupted by the illness of my mother. I did go back for a year but decided engineering wasn’t for me, so I looked for a job.Having previously spent several summers working in Switzerland and Germany and visited Zambia a couple of times, Iwas keen to find a job in travel.
I saw a job at Thomas Cook in Nottingham, had an interview with Charles McClelland and was offered the position. I think he was impressed I knew more than one city in Switzerland.
This was in 1974, the first year of the 24-hour money-back guarantee scheme. I was employed as a relief clerk to cover several offices in the Midlands and South Yorkshire area.
However, with no training and only the person next to me as a guide, I found myself at the counter with no experience.
After a year with Thomas Cook, I felt I needed a change. I saw a vacancy advertised with South African Airways in Birmingham.
Although I did not have the qualifications it was asking for, I did apply for the job, after being encouraged to do so by Helen Wild, the SAA representative for the area.
As I didn’t expect to get it, I was extremely surprised when I was offered the job. I spent two years with SAA as a reservations and ticketing clerk, which was a complete contrast to being a travel agent.
I learned a great deal with SAA, and after two years, was given the opportunity of moving to Zimbabwe (Rhodesia as it was then). I then spent six months working in the accounts department of SAA in Harare.
This was 1977, during the war of independence, and although I can remember travelling from Harare to the South African border in an armoured convey, I also remember the friendliness and hospitality of all the Zimbabwean people – what a country. On reflection, I suppose Zimbabwe gave me my love of Africa.
A year later, I was back in the UK, and again in need of a job. I accepted a position with Japan Airlines in Manchester, again in reservations and ticketing.
Another year later, I was lucky enough to see an advert for staff to work in York for tour operator Southern Africa Travel.
When I started, John Auren was the managing director. To begin with we had one room, two desks and shared one telephone. The operation soon grew and SAT was employing 10 staff within five years.
We were one of the first specialist operators concentrating on southern Africa – in fact for many years there were only six specialist tour operators in the UK featuring southern Africa – just look at the number today!
Due to the then political situation in South Africa and constant media coverage, the destination was not always easy to sell but the firm continued to be successful and as well as expanding in southern Africa, it also developed programmes to Latin America and Australia.
Naturally, with this expansion I had the chance to visit many places – remote Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean – the Australian outback and game reserves throughout Africa.
John Auren retired from Southern Africa Travel five years ago. It was a privilege to have worked with him and to have learned such a lot. I admit after 20 years with the firm I never thought I would leave but late last year a new challenge appeared – African Pride.
Here was the opportunity to create a specialist tour operation bringing together all the knowledge, enthusiasm and love of Africa built up over the years.
The whole concept is based on giving totally unbiased advice on the best holiday and safari combined with personal service and professionalism – thus creating a quality holiday at a realistic and competitive price.
We are great supporters of the independent agent, as we believe the discerning traveller is looking to such agents for advice and guidance.
CURRICULUM VITAE
1974: relief clerk at Thomas Cook in Nottingham.
MY TOP TIPS
l Treat your clients as individuals -Êthey are.
* Try to surround yourself with people you respect and admire – you will find it makes a much happier work environment and bring out the best in you.
* Be persistent – know what you want and go out and get it.
* Believe in yourself and know what your strengths and weaknesses are.
* Know your product -Êif you don’t have a genuine interest in it yourself, it will be hard to convince others.