Time Traveller -Andre Gulliver CEO Obis Software
What was your first job in travel?
I was an overseas rep in Kavos and it was during that summer season that I learned most of the skills that would help me throughout my travel career – persistence, resilience, and how to deal with drunken idiots! When I came back I got a job at my local travel agent, but I didn’t really enjoy dealing with the customers. That’s when I came up with the idea for OBtoose software, one of the pioneers of dynamic packaging.
What was the high point of your career?
Definitely my first fam trip, I’ll never forget it. There was free booze flowing on the flight and I was wasted before we landed. I can’t even remember what country we were in – Turkey, I think, or was it Tunisia? I remember the beer was cheap. There was a party every night. Unfortunately, in the daytime we were forced to look around a load of dull hotels. Once I got so bored I sneaked into one of the bedrooms, climbed into bed and fell asleep.
What was the low point?
When the guest, who was in the bed, woke up and called security.
Who was the biggest influence on your career?
Definitely Dick Wrongman. When times were good he showed me how to live life to the full. I spent money on big cars, fast cars and sponsored cars. He and his cronies certainly knew how to party and I was influenced by him to such a degree that I now have no money left.
What is your biggest regret?
Fiona Wilkinson, ABTA Convention 1996.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
I hope to be running an all-inclusive resort somewhere in the Caribbean. We have already developed a system that allows people to pre-select food and drink. We call it Obees software. We will, of course, open a trust educational charity foundation to support the locals who may suffer from our activities.
Time Traveller is sponsored by Harp Wallen Recruitment
Graham McKenzie
Graham has demonstrable history of working in the leisure, travel & tourism industry. 20 years leading one of the worlds leading online B2B travel publishers TravelMole , non-executive director of UK's leading Travel Brand agency designate.com. Strong professional with a BSc (Econ) focussed on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science.
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