We’ve come a long way in 10 years: 2004-14
Lowcostbeds speaks to industry colleagues on its 10th anniversary
with Craig Ashford Travel Up
Q. What’s been your best experience working in travel?
A. It has to be winning the Large Agency Marketing Campaign 2013 at the Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards. A very proud day for me.
Q. Tell us a funny story from your travel career
A. On the way home from a night out at the Abta convention in Barcelona in 2009 we were walking up Las Ramblas at 3am. On the way, we were accosted by a group of eight, 6ft-plus transvestites offering their services. We kept on walking and they finally left us alone. When we arrived at the hotel we realised these ‘ladies’ had gone through our wallets, taken our money and cards but made sure they slipped our room keys in our back pockets. Very thoughtful and, in hindsight, very funny!
Q. What is your favourite destination? A. Without a doubt, it’s Kenya. I spent 10 days driving around the country on my honeymoon. It was amazing to visit some of the best reserves in the world, and driving around the country gave my wife and I a perspective that not many people get to see. We gave lifts to locals carrying bags of grain and helped out a teacher on his way to a new placement. It was an unforgettable experience.
Q. If you weren’t a travel agent what would you be?
A. Before I got in to travel I had completed my Admiralty Interview Board assessment to be an Officer in the Royal Navy, with a desire to become a mine clearance diver.
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Q. Who had the biggest influence on your career?
A. Someone I truly respect both personally and professionally is Brian Young – he is a true gentleman within the industry.
Q. If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be? A. Clarity on legislation and protection.
Q. Tell us something we don’t know about you.
A. I have just won my category in the CIMAC Super League Championship in kickboxing.
Q. If you were marooned on a desert island, what item couldn’t you do without?
A. Music – ideally via my iPhone, as that would be multi-functional, but I would happily accept cassettes and vinyl.
Q. Which three people not in travel would you invite to a dinner party?
A. Muhammad Ali, he is a legend and not scared of a challenge. Adolf Hitler, which I know is controversial, but how did he get so many people to follow him? And Chris Martin – I am a big Coldplay fan and I am sure he would have a lot to say to Adolf.
Q. Which is your favourite hotel? A. Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge in Kenya, it was amazing and is set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. As you can tell, our trip to Kenya had two sides to the coin!
I am a kickboxing champion
What do you think is going to be the next big trend in travel?
The move to mobile. We all know it is out there, but very few companies are making the most of it and doing it well. Increased service across the board for higher-yield products. Travel needs to move away from being price-led and rely on high levels of service to retain customers. Advertising channels are not getting any cheaper.
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