National Express Dot2Dot sales director David Gibbs talks about his first job and his career path in the travel industry
What was your first job in travel?
A Saturday job in a local travel agency, followed by my first full-time job with Barry Aikman Travel on Brompton Road in London. It seems like a very long time ago now.
How did you climb the ladder?
Through working hard and listening to everyone I met. I quickly learned that believing in your product and company is crucial, especially in this industry.
What does it take to be good at your job?
Attention to detail, hard work, a drive to be the best and a sense of humour. My new job entails establishing strong and lasting relationships with our trade partners here in the UK and worldwide, and also developing new ones throughout the agency and airline market segments.
What are the big challenges in your job?
Convincing people that Dot2Dot is not too good to be true. You really can have an on-demand executive transfer service that’s cheaper than a taxi and greener too.
What’s the best part of your job?
Being involved with a product that is genuinely new, innovative and constantly evolving. It is hard to find opportunities like that in a mature and established market.
And the worst?
Not having enough hours in the day; I know it’s predictable but it’s so true.
What’s the best piece of career advice you have ever received?
Never assume anything.
If you weren’t working in travel what would you be doing?
Probably taking part in the BT Challenge Round-the-World Yacht race… or just watching Wallace and Gromit in Cornwell, my favourite holiday destination.
David Gibbs’s CV
- February 2008 to present: Sales director, Dot2Dot
- 2003: Business development director, Cendant Corporation
- 1982: Board director, Travel 2