| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 15/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
people profile
profileJob title: distribution director.
Path to career: worked at British Airways for 17 years starting as a junior trainee and leaving as toursdevelopment superintendent. In 1980 moved to Cathay Pacific as sales and marketing manager, a position held for 12 years. Spent a brief spell at DanAir as director of sales for UKand Ireland followed by three years at Air New Zealand. Went on to join Debonair and Leisure Direction. Joined Avro in 1998 as manager of scheduled services before being promoted to commercialmanager and then to current role in 1999.
industry talk
open to question: John Fitz-Gerald, Avro
n What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
Junior trainee at BA. I earned five to 10 shillings a week.
n What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
Smoothly moving operations from Gatwick to Heathrow for both Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific within a week without losing any passengers.
n Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
David Benson, the former charter manager at BA, who believed in me and gave me my first promotion at the airline.
n What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Sales and marketing manager at Cathay Pacific.
n Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
Swire Group, an ethical and successful company.
n If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
A successful City broker, I like the sound of the bonuses.
n What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Be single minded, persistent and never lose sight of your goal. There are great opportunities out there but they won’t fall in your lap.
n What one thing would you change about your job?
I’d like all the hours back I’ve spent on aircraft during my career.
n When will digital TV start to have a big impact on bookings?
I cannot see it making a big impact for some time. It is a difficult thing to assess as it depends on consumers continuing to purchase digital TV.
n Do you have a Web site and if so, how many bookings do you receive on it?
We do not have a bookable Web site at present but hope to later this year. We get about 2,000 hits a week. The address is www.avro-flights.co.uk
n Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
There will be more people travelling independently.
personal talk
n What is your star sign?
Capricorn.
n What would you change about yourself?
My age – I feel I should only be about 28.
n Which living person do you most respect and why?
Nelson Mandela for his contribution to the freedom of his people and his stoicism in the face of incarceration.
n What is your greatest extravagance?
My daughter’s horses.
n Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
Michelle Pfeiffer, cruising the Greek islands on a splendid private yacht.
n What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
Valley of the Kings, Egypt, it was awe inspiring.
n What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
A package holiday.
n What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
I enjoy any sport on TV, the film is Maltese Falcon and I enjoy reading biographies.
n What’s your idea of a great night out?
A night at a prize fight.
n How do you relax?
By going to the gym or out for a drink or meal.
n What would you have put on your gravestone?
Here lies the body of JFG. At least my wife knows where Iam tonight!