Secret Operator
In the first of a series of regular comment pieces, Travelmole’s new Secret Operator asks in advance of next week’s ABTA Travel Convention if John McEwan was the right choice for ABTA chairman….
"The problem with democracy is that most of the time the dictators are right….
We can’t be trusted to make the right decision.
Political elections, company promotions and awards all suffer from the X Factor syndrome……suckers for a nice smile and someone who blubs about how they “owe it all to mum” we lovingly vote for the one that can’t sing.
Take the election of ABTA president or chairman as the position is now called.
Did the industry elect the travel agent?
The man on the front line, talking to the public, fighting online players and high street overheads?
No, true to form and fitting of a 10 minute Dermot O’Leary dramatic pause……..
We chose John McEwan.
Now I’m sure that John is lovely (do you think he tries to look like Robert Redford, or is it just me?) but is he a leader?
There have been several statements of late from John, little pearls of wisdom,
Like the market is tough and that agents need to future proof their business.
Well, I think that the cat is out of the bag on that one, John!
However, it did allow me a pleasant 20 minutes as I envisaged a travel version of the game “Go For Broke”.
Picture it, agents decline commission and collect payment after departure in a bid to be the first to close their shop!
Childish.
I Know.
But I bet you there is a tour operator somewhere that still has a marketing budget that could sponsor it!
Putting my low form of wit aside, my point is that it’s a shame that John didn’t talk about what ABTA can do in terms of supporting agents at such a difficult time.
What a great opportunity to talk about the workshops they offer on managing a business in a recession.
Come on, John, you can do better than this!
Before anyone thinks that this is an unfair attack on John’s leadership I’ll close by saying that if John isn’t the leader you wanted, make him the one you wanted.
All too often in the industry we moan and bicker on our bar stools without ever making the effort to muck in and help our leaders.
Voting isn’t just ticking a box and putting your feet up whilst someone else changes the world in your favour, John can’t represent the travel industry unless we tell him what we want.
Anyone reading this that cares about the many challenges we face should get involved, because we inevitably get the leaders we deserve."
* Do you agree or disagree with our Secret Operator? Let us know by clicking on ADD A COMMENT below
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists