nearly went down the path of accountancy.
n What percentage of holiday bookings do you estimate will be taken direct by the year 2000?
In the region of 15%.
n When will digital TVstart to impact on bookings?
In two to three years. I think it is closer than we imagine, with the way the public embraces the use of the Internet and Teletext, digital will evolve to be a strong option.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Alamo’s site was the first car-rental site to have real-time booking capacities, so it is already quite mature in the way it has evolved. Globally our site’s bookings have increased over 200% year on year. Our Web site address is www.alamo.com
n Do you agree with travel agents charging a fee for their work?
I think it is dependent on the type of service they are providing. Simple translations should be free, however, when you consider the manpower and experience it takes for more extensive schedules then service fees should be charged.
Industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
It was during the time I lived in Canada. I was employed by Scandinavian Airlines to handle administration/inside sales. I earned the grand total of £3,000 per year.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
I think your outlook needs to remain very fluid. The industry can change in such a short space of time, with many outside influences affecting it that are out of your company’s control.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Getting more sleep! Seriously, Inearly went down the path of accountancy.
n What percentage of holiday bookings do you estimate will be taken direct by the year 2000?
In the region of 15%.
n When will digital TVstart to impact on bookings?
In two to three years. I think it is closer than we imagine, with the way the public embraces the use of the Internet and Teletext, digital will evolve to be a strong option.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Alamo’s site was the first car-rental site to have real-time booking capacities, so it is already quite mature in the way it has evolved. Globally our site’s bookings have increased over 200% year on year. Our Web site address is www.alamo.com
n Do you agree with travel agents charging a fee for their work?
I think it is dependent on the type of service they are providing. Simple translations should be free, however, when you consider the manpower and experience it takes for more extensive schedules then service fees should be charged.
Personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Sagittarius.
n What would you change about yourself?
Not to worry so much about the little things!
n Which living person do you most respect?
Mo Mowlam – I admire how she battled with cancer and continued to make such drastic changes in Northern Ireland. Her concern never seemed to be about herself.
n What is your greatest regret?
That in my time in Canada I did not see enough of the country. What I did see was beautiful.
n What is your greatest extravagance?
Too many visits to Karen Millen.
n If you could be anyone for a day who would it be and why?
Sitting in Bill Gates’ seat for the day would be interesting. Just to have an insight into his vision for the future.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
I went to the tiniest island called Komandoo in the Maldives for my honeymoon. It only opened last November and has only 45 huts right on the beach. It’s very romantic and I would highly recommend it.
n What’s the corniest chat-up line you’ve ever used?
Never had to use them! I have received a few though.’You really look like Kylie Minogue’ was one – I really don’t think so!
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
One which involved bungee jumping!
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
She thought that burger tasted a bit dodgy.
Sally Hinds
Job title: marketing and sales development manager, UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Age: 30.
Born: Enfield, Middlesex.
Lives: Sayers Common, East Sussex.
Status: married (just).
Education: Queen Elizabeth’s Girls School, High Barnet, Herts.
Path to career: joined Scandinavian Airlines in Toronto in 1989. Moved to Alaska Airlines in 1992 as inside sales and marketing executive. Joined Alamo in Toronto in 1993 in sales support and was promoted to administration manager. Applied internally forposition of marketing manager based in the UK and relocated to the UKin 1997.