| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 01/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
open to question: Dale Keller, Air Malta
people profile
open to question: Dale Keller, Air Malta
industry talk
industry talkn What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
At Ansett Air New Zealand as a passenger service agent at Christchurch International Airport in 1987. I earned £7,000, which was good in New Zealand at the time.
n What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
Introducing new internal systems at Air Malta to improve productivity and also employee job satisfaction.
n What has been your most embarrassing moment in the travel industry?
I think it was kicking off a China Airlines karaoke party with my rendition of David Bowie’s China Girl, complete with eyes pulled back. It was going down a treat until I spotted the then general manager in the audience looking stony faced. He was not amused.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
My worst ever boss, who Iobviously cannot name. Out of bad always comes some good as the ineptitude and lethargy showed me how not to do it.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
My days at Ansett New Zealand were exciting. Being part of a new airline was a great learning experience.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
First Direct Bank. I am always amazed by its consistency, efficiency and professionalism. It is a benchmark many travel industry telesales teams would do well to emulate.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Think beyond your own responsibilities and grasp the bigger picture. Read the front pages of the trade press and not just the job and travel club pages so you can get a clearer idea.
n Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Our address is www.airmalta.com. Real-time bookings not yet available.
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
New Zealand will still be 12,000 miles and 24hrs away from London. However comfort will continue to improve.
personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Sagittarius.
n What is your greatest regret?
Not starting my own agency when I could have and being in a position to sell it now.
n If you could be anyone for the day who would you be and why?
Robbie Williams. I’d love to be able to do what he does and being the naughty boy of pop has a certain fascination.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
I think that a food and drink spree through the countryside with Dawn French would be a hoot.
n What’s the corniest chat-up line you’ve ever used?
Have you tasted Chicken Tonight?
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
A three-star self-catering holiday. I’m sorry dahlinks but…..
n What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
My favourite TV programme is Have I Got News For You, the film has to be Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the book is A Bone In My Flute, the autobiography of Holly Johnson.
n How do you relax?
Feet on the sofa, gin and tonic in hand and EastEnders on TV. Life suddenly looks glam compared to Albert Square.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Didn’t depart wondering.
profile
Job title: head of marketing and sales Northern Europe.
Path to career: joined Ansett New Zealand as passenger service agent in 1987. Left for London in 1990 and joined Anglo Pacific Travel as senior consultant. Joined London Flight Centre as branch manager in 1991. Left in 1993 to join China Airlines (Taiwan) as sales andmarketing executive/manager. Joined Air Malta in 1998.