Industry talk
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Office junior for Thomson Holidays, my wages were £9 or something equally ridiculous.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
Platon Loizou, national sales manager, Yugotours, for his drive and enthusiasm.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Managing the Honda Castrol UKmotorcycle team.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Gain experience, be flexible and utilise the opportunities.
n How many hours do you work a week on average?
Too many!
n What percentage of holiday bookings do you estimate will be taken direct by the year 2000?
I’m not sure but it certainly has to be the growth area of our industry.
n Do you think the growing consolidation in the industry is good for consumers?
I do not see consolidation as negative. The range of product has reduced but competition is still fierce and the consumer is still the winner.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Yes, but at present it is more of an information service.
n How long do you expect it will be before a significant number of bookings are made by digital television?
I don’t think this will happen until the cost of domestic technology has significantly reduced.
n How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?
I do not expect that the number of travel agents will be reduce. However I think there will be less choice on the high street as multiples expand and independents join consortiums or follow the franchise route.
n Do you agree with travel agents charging a fee for their work or should they provide their service free?
Research has shown that travel agents’ business is not adversely affected by the implementation of a service charge, therefore yes, I agree with agents deciding to levy a fee for their services.
Personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Leo.
n What would you change about yourself?
My age.
n Which living person do you most respect?
Alex Ferguson – for his management skills.
n What is your greatest regret?
Not working overseas when Iwas younger.
n What is your greatest extravagance?
My KTM Supermoto motorbike.
n If you could be anyone for a day who would it be and why?
Carl Fogarty, world champion, Superbikes.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Here lies David McKee, Universal Studios – Escaped!
n When was the last time you did some exercise?
I recently pushed the shopping trolley round the supermarket!
n Which sports do you love and which do you hate?
I love motor racing, motorbikes and motorcars. I hate anything that involves small white balls!
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
South Africa, for its diversity.
n What’s the corniest chat-up line you’ve ever used?
“Have you got room in your handbag for my Porsche keys?” I drove a Ford transit van for Thomson Holidays at the time.
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
A naturist holiday!