Former SuperBreak sales director and industry stalwart Ian Mounser has died after a long battle with cancer.
Mounser passed away on Tuesday leaving wife Elizabeth and son Stephen.
He retired from SuperBreak in 2011 after 23 years and set up his own management development and training consultancy for the travel industry.
The operator’s much-loved sales director was well-known for his calm business manner, reliability and attention to detail.
But many will remember him best for his fancydress double-acts with SuperBreak national sales manager Graham Balmforth, which made them the most popular dine-around at the annual Advantage Travel Partnership conferences.
His first such “outing” was as one of the Men in Black at a Going Places conference in 1999 where he squirted TV comedian and conference compere Roy Walker with a water gun.
Mounser’s career started in 1981 after he swapped teaching economics at a private boys’ school for a job in sales. He worked at OSL Holidays and Wings Holidays before starting at SuperBreak, where he was promoted to sales director in 1987. He was chairman of Tipto for three years.
Travel industry colleagues said Mounser would be sadly missed.
Graham Balmforth, SuperBreak national sales manager, said: “I had the pleasure of working with Ian for over 15 years … a small guy in stature, but a giant when it came to the respect he had from both his SuperBreak colleagues and his many friends throughout the travel industry. Our thoughts are with Elizabeth, Stephen and his family at this sad time.”
Julia Lo Bue-Said, managing director of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “I have known Ian for about 20 years and despite having built a professional relationship during his SuperBreak days, we also became good friends sharing updates on the trials and tribulations of having boys and all that goes with trying to raise them. I have so many fond memories which I will never forget and feel so honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity of knowing such a great individual.”