IF THERE was a travel award for cutting it fine, Tunisian National Tourist Office director Houssem Ben Azouz would have to be up for a gold medal.
On a recent press trip to Tunisia, with just 20mins to spare before take off, he rolled up at Tunis airport with several hapless journalists, including Backchat, in tow.
“Trust me, it’s okay,” he said with a smile. “I have only ever missed a flight once.”
However, it appeared Ben Azouz’s luck had run out once more.
The Tunisair check-in desk explained politely but firmly that the flight had already closed and there was nothing they could do.
Five minutes later, after much smiling, flattery and charm from professional schmoozer/troubleshooter Ben Azouz, the flight was reopened.
Furthermore, the group was then greeted with a collection of ice-cool beers in the business lounge.
“You see,” said Ben Azouz. “We were even too early for this flight, take a seat and have some nibbles.”