| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 28/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
people profile
open to question: Andrew Ponton, Superstar Holidays
profileJob title: sales manager.
Path to career:.joined Britainshrinkers in 1984 as reservations clerk. Left in 1985 to join LamingtonTravel as sales director. Took up current position of sales manager for El Al Israel Airlines/Superstar Holidays in 1990.
industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Reservations clerk for Britainshrinkers, an incoming tour operator. I earned enough to keep my Alfa Romeo running.
n What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
Helping agents learn more about Israel.
n What has been your most embarrassing moment in the travel industry?
Selling a holiday to a part of the Amazon rainforest where all the trees had been chopped down.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
William Leigh, managing director of Lamington Travel, for knowing no fear.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
When I was 20. Contracting luxury yachts in the Med. It was tough.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
All AITO tour operators. They are small enough to really care for both their clients and their agents.
n What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
Super Trainer – a national agents’ self-training module. It was fun to write and effective.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Be enthusiastic.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Yes, it’s www.superstar.co.uk. We get some enquiries but no on-line bookings.
n Do you think the growing consolidation in the industry is good for consumers?
No, travel is best delivered by dedicated people who know their clients’ needs.
n How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?
More than today.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
More people trading up on their holidays.
personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Leo.
n What would you change about yourself?
I wish Icould think of all those things Ishould have said at the time instead of two hours later.
n What is your greatest extravagance?
Not being able to resist buying plants for the garden.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
My kids – we’d go somewhere where no-one has heard about Pokemon.
n What are your hobbies?
Gardening and checking kids’ homework.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
Jerusalem – I think everyone should go there once.
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
Most package holidays.
n What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
My favourite TV programme is Frasier, the film is Day for Night and the book is Oliver Twist.
n What’s your idea of a great night out?
Going to see West Side Story with friends followed by dinner at The Ivy and in bed by 2am.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Ghostbusters keep out!