YourSpace The page that puts YOU in the spotlight!
My life in travel
On the eve of his retirement, Thomson manager George Wales reflects on more than 40 years in travel
Do you remember your first booking? It was in 1969 and a couple were looking to go to Jersey. I remember double-checking whether the flight supplement of £10 was return or one- way because the paperwork had it down as return but my intuition said it had to be one-way. And I was right! £10 was a lot of money back then too.
What’s the most memorable booking you’ve ever made? I went on a fam trip in the 1970s to the Caribbean, and when I came back I told some customers about it. On the spot they asked me to book them everything I had done. I had sold them a dream and they wanted to be a part of it. I pieced
together an unusual island-hopping itinerary with scheduled flights and they loved it. They have been booking with me ever since.
Who is your favourite customer? Mrs Dolan. She’s been booking with me for years. She always asks for me and gets me to find “something not too pricey but not too cheap”. She never looks at the brochure to check what I’ve selected – she trusts me to find something she’ll enjoy.
George Wales
Age: 57 Job title: Manager Works for:
Thomson Holidays
How long in the job: 24 years How long in travel: 41 years What was your first job in travel: Office boy at an independent travel agency What other jobs have you done in travel: I have worked at Global Holidays
What’s been the highlight of your career in travel? I won Thomson Manager of the Year in 2007. I was totally bowled over. I’ll never forget that night. The next highlight will be my retirement party, which Tui is putting on for me.
What’s the best gift you’ve been given by a customer? I’ve had lots over the years, from jackets and shirts to vouchers. I couldn’t pick the best. I value them all.
A Caribbean fam trip in the 1970s paid dividends for George
If you could be a celebrity for a day, who would you be and why? Paul Newman because he had great acting ability and I love the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. California is my favourite US state.
What will you be doing in 10 years’ time? I want to go on loads of cruises and tour the islands around Majorca until the money runs out. I’m very passionate about them.
If you could have done any other job in travel , what would it have been? I’ve been happy doing what I’ve done, but I think I would have enjoyed working in Thomson’s marketing department or as a product manager.
What advice would you give to somebody thinking about a career as a travel agent? Start at the bottom and never think a job is too menial for you. Work hard and you will reap the rewards. It’s all about passion and commitment.
■If you are an agent and would like to appear in YourSpace, send us your name, agency name, phone number and a few lines about yourself by email to
ohemmings@ttglive.com
60 26.11.2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60