In 1999 I left Thomas Cook after a highly enjoyable career. I was privileged to have the opportunity to head up the UK business and subsequently, the international business, which at that time was across 54 countries.
Thomas Cook will always be very special to me, particularly for the people. One of my lasting legacies was to introduce ‘don’t just book it, Thomas Cook it’, which is still used to this day. I never imagined that when I started as a 17-year old trainee counter clerk, I would have such an enjoyable career I still have lots of friends at Thomas Cook.
After Thomas Cook I joined Lunn Poly as managing director. At the time, Lunn Poly was the largest travel retailer, although it was only marginally profitable and we set about correcting that. My four years at Lunn Poly were amongst the most enjoyable of my career. The people were great, with a very much ‘can do’ attitude. I had a great team and am grateful that I still remain friends with many of them today. Lunn Poly of course is no more, having being rebranded as Thomson, following the acquisition by TUI, but its legacy lives on.
In 2004, my career took another twist, in that I was approached and offered my current role as chief executive of Advantage Travel Centres, where I still am today. I am proud that we are widely recognized as the leading consortium. We have a great and diverse membership and we have achieved a great deal in transforming the company. The central team are superb; they all pull together as well as knowing how to enjoy themselves.
We have seen many industry changes over the past 10 years. However, this industry is very responsive to change and I was delighted when I was also elected as chairman of ABTA at a time when we have the opportunity to influence more change, particularly around consumer protection, for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
I had no pre-determined plans to enter the travel industry but it was the best decision I ever made all those years ago.
By John McEwan, chief executiveof Advantage Travel Centres and chairman of ABTA