| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 04/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
people profile
open to question: Mike Gates, Midconsort Travel Group
profileJob title: managing director.
Path to career: joined Wrights Travel in 1970, moved to Horizon in 1972. Left in 1974 to join uncle’s firmAlangate as travel employment consultant. Temped and then worked permanently at Hogg Robinson. Reached board level. Left in 1996. Became consultant to travel industry until joining Midconsort in May this year.
industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Counter clerk (brochure stamper) at Wrights Travel, Kidderminster.
n What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
Probably the first Midconsort Travel Group’s general meeting. A large room filled with members Iwas meeting for the first time. I worked out there was not only a combined couple of thousand years of travel experience but a similar longevity of experience in running their own businesses. I was pleased at the reception I received.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
Two people – the late Michael Haighe-Webster of Horizon Midlands who taught me the importance of attention to detail. Also Brian Perry, previous chairman of Hogg Robinson. He helped me through my career and is a great businessman with an absolutely tremendous sense of humour.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Being on the executive committee of Business Travel International. It was two exciting years of travelling, working with different nationalities and cultures.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
Travel 2/4. I remember when Stuart and Graham started up, saying they will only deal with agents and not the public direct. They have been true to their word.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
I might well have been a farmer or busy running a country house hotel.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Read the trade press and understand the dynamics of your industry as a whole. Above all, have fun andenjoy getting up and going to work.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century.
There will be a lot more people around -Êsome potential customers for Midconsort members.
personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Libra.
n Which living person do you most respect and why?
David Blunkett. To be responsible for the nation’s children’s education is incredible. I would love some of his brainpower to rub off onto me.
n What is your greatest regret?
Never having the same six numbers on my lottery ticket as the ones that are drawn on Saturdays.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
Charlie Dimmock, to the hanging gardens of Babylon to discuss where the water features were.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
The Great Wall of China. During my visit, Iwas amazed by the enormity of the project.
n What’s the corniest chat-up line you have ever used?
Hi, do you fancy Sunday lunch in Majorca tomorrow?
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
I am a travel agent so Iwould not avoid any holiday that was sold through our members.
n How do you relax?
Cruising the canals of England and Wales, playing backgammon and watching Jethro Tull live.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Never pass over an experience – oops!