n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Assistant general manager of the Apollo Theatre, Oxford.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Endeavouring to write the great British novel.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Get the basics right and concentrate on the here and now.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Our Web site launched last month and is currently receiving around 100 requests for brochures a week. The address is www.warnerholidays.co.uk
n When will digital TV start to have a big impact on bookings?
It will start to be serious business within three years.
n Do you agree with travel agents charging a fee for their work?
Yes, travel agents should be suitably paid for the service they provide as long as they provide added-value expertise to their customers on behalf of the companies they represent.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
Companies that will grow will be those that promote value for money rather than absolute discount.
Personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Libra.
n What would you change about yourself?
My tendency to try and tackle everything at once. The demands of the job, a new baby and being two-thirds of the way through my MBAtends to take up all of my waking hours.
n Which living person do you most respect?
Nelson Mandela. It is astonishing that a man who spent most of his life behind bars can be so conciliatory and forgiving.
n What is your greatest regret?
Not embarking on my MBA earlier.
n What is your greatest vice?
Smoking, not much, but too much.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
Winona Ryder – to Warner’s Littlecote House Hotel where we’d leave the Henry VIIRoyale Room for the occasional game of tennis.
n What are your hobbies?
Inventing children’s stories.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
Thailand, fabulous country, wonderful people (oh, and it was my honeymoon).
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
What now?
Industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Silver service waiter at the Red Lion Hotel, Salisbury. Iwas paid £2 per hour plus tips.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
Antonio Betes, who is now marketing director for Continental Tyres, was previously my boss at Warner. He encouraged me to broaden my overall experience and also spurred me to take up a Masters of Business Administration.
n What, apart from your current position, would be your ideal job in travel?
Marketing Sandals – great product, great locations.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Assistant general manager of the Apollo Theatre, Oxford.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Endeavouring to write the great British novel.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Get the basics right and concentrate on the here and now.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Our Web site launched last month and is currently receiving around 100 requests for brochures a week. The address is www.warnerholidays.co.uk
n When will digital TV start to have a big impact on bookings?
It will start to be serious business within three years.
n Do you agree with travel agents charging a fee for their work?
Yes, travel agents should be suitably paid for the service they provide as long as they provide added-value expertise to their customers on behalf of the companies they represent.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
Companies that will grow will be those that promote value for money rather than absolute discount.
Marc Jones
Job title: marketing director.
Age: 35.
Born: Cardigan, Wales.
Lives: Putney.
Status: married.
Education: Eltham College, Salisbury College, Watford College, Kingston Business School.
Path to career: Trainee assistant manager, Apollo Theatre in 1986, then promoted to assistant manager. Moved to Central TV in 1987 as marketing assistant. Joined TSMSin 1989 as marketing executive. In 1994 joined Warner Holidays as marketing service manager. Became marketing executive for Oasis Forest Holiday Villages in 1998. Took up current position as marketing director for Warner Holidays in 1999.