my career and passion.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Aim high and always be forthright – it is a great industry to succeed in since many companies recognise talent.
n How long do you expect it will be before a significant number of bookings are made by digital television?
Digital television is in its infancy. I believe the technology needs to be developed further before it becomes a viable option.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Hotelworld has several Web sites from which we receive an increasing number of bookings. The site can be found at www.hotelworld.com.
n What percentage of holiday bookings do you estimate will be taken direct by 2000?
I don’t believe that direct bookings will ever replace the travel industry professional, however, I would estimate that about 17% of bookings could go directly to the supplier by the end of 2000.
n How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?
I think that there will be a similar number of travel agents then as there is now, but I would anticipate that many of them will be trading in more niche markets.
Industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Working for BEA as a customer service agent. My salary was £3,000 a year.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
Iadmire Richard Branson’s determination, he is living proof that one can take on seemingly impossible odds and win.
n How many hours do you work a week on average?
About 55 hours.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Probably nothing!I have always been involved with the travel industry, travel is both my career and passion.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Aim high and always be forthright – it is a great industry to succeed in since many companies recognise talent.
n How long do you expect it will be before a significant number of bookings are made by digital television?
Digital television is in its infancy. I believe the technology needs to be developed further before it becomes a viable option.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Hotelworld has several Web sites from which we receive an increasing number of bookings. The site can be found at www.hotelworld.com.
n What percentage of holiday bookings do you estimate will be taken direct by 2000?
I don’t believe that direct bookings will ever replace the travel industry professional, however, I would estimate that about 17% of bookings could go directly to the supplier by the end of 2000.
n How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?
I think that there will be a similar number of travel agents then as there is now, but I would anticipate that many of them will be trading in more niche markets.
Personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Aquarius.
n What would you change about yourself?
I would be more patient – next question!
n If you could be anyone for a day who would it be and why?
Boeing’s chief test pilot – just imagine testing all those new aircraft to the limit.
n What is your greatest extravagance?
I am a great classic car enthusiast, my pride and joy is currently a V8 MG.
n Which living person do you most respect?
Industrialist Sir John Harvey Jones, who ran ICI, for his practical and persistent approach.
n What is your greatest regret?
Not getting a pilot’s licence.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
Yosemite in California. The scale of the scenery, the beauty and serenity of the park is just awesome.
n What’s the corniest chat-up line you’ve ever used?
Sad to say, but ‘come here often’ has worked many times for me!
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
I prefer to be independent – to go where I want, when I want. For me a fully organised tour would be something to avoid.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Gone but not forgotten.
David Waterton
Job title: director of corporate development.
Age: 49.
Born: South Bucks.
Lives: Thames Valley, near Maidenhead.
Status: married with two children.
Education: Licensed Victuallers, Slough, HenleyManagement College.
Path to career: started as a customer service agent for BEA (British Airways) in 1970. Moved to ground operations planning in 1974. Joined Hertz RentaCar in 1975 as a senior management trainee. In 1983 joined the security service industry as regionalmanager. Became manager of UK operations forBudget Rent aCar in 1988. Promoted to directorfranchise operations UK and Ireland in 1991. Joined Hotelworld in current position in 1997.