My father – he taught me all my jokes.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Some financially orientated job.
n What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
Developing individual staff that have worked for me. I get a real kick out of seeing them develop.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
Cathay Pacific: well trained people, professional approach and a good product.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Learn to make the difference between margin and mark-ups.
n What one thing would you change about your job?
Fewer dinners.
n What percentage of holiday bookings do you estimate will be taken direct in five years’ time?
Around 18-20%.
n When will digital TVstart to have a big impact on bookings?
I predict by 2001-2002.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Not yet, but watch this space.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
The quality of travel will become more important than the destination.
Industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Commercial projects manager for QHTours Ltd (Qantas Holidays). I can’t remember how much I got paid.
n What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
Reviving the fortunes of an inbound operator in Fiji.
n What, apart from your current position, would be your ideal job in travel?
Bus driver for the Leeds United football team. I’d get to see all their away games.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
My father – he taught me all my jokes.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Some financially orientated job.
n What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
Developing individual staff that have worked for me. I get a real kick out of seeing them develop.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
Cathay Pacific: well trained people, professional approach and a good product.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Learn to make the difference between margin and mark-ups.
n What one thing would you change about your job?
Fewer dinners.
n What percentage of holiday bookings do you estimate will be taken direct in five years’ time?
Around 18-20%.
n When will digital TVstart to have a big impact on bookings?
I predict by 2001-2002.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Not yet, but watch this space.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
The quality of travel will become more important than the destination.
Personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Capricorn.
n What would you change about yourself?
My waistline.
n Which living person do you most respect?
Jack Charlton – great organiser of people and genuine with each of his comments.
n What is your greatest extravagance?
My car.
n What is your greatest vice?
A few pints of Yebisu beer, Fiji bitter or Guinness (preferably all at the one sitting).
n What are your hobbies?
Football, fishing, carpentry and DIY.
n What’s the corniest chat up line you’ve ever used?
“Ne-chan, ocha wo nominmasen ka?” (Which translates as: “Sister, how about a nice cup of green tea?”)
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
Mokusigas resort in Fiji. Peaceful, quiet, unspoilt and lovely people.
n What is your idea of a great night out?
Mid-week game at Elland Road.
n How do you relax?
I’m pretty happy doing a spot of fishing or DIY.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Something simple.
David Thomas
Job title: UKgeneral manager.
Age: 34.
Born: Dublin, Ireland.
Lives: Twickenham.
Education: University College, Dublin, Ireland.
Path to career: joined Qantas Airways – Australia/Fiji as commercial projects manager for QHTours Ltd in Sydney and general manager Sun Tours Ltd in Fiji. Left in 1992 to join Pacific Islands Club Co in Japan as manager, finance and administration. Then joined Thomas Cook Group Ltd in Japan in 1993 as manager, finance and operations. In 1994 joined QHInternational in Japan as financial controller on a consultancy basis. Promoted to general manager in 1995. In 1999 became UK general manager at QHTours (UK)Ltd.