with Graeme Franklin, Director of Sales Western Canada, Sunwing Travel Group

How long have you been in the business?  25 years – my first job was working retail travel at Today’s Travel in Richmond.

How many are you at Sunwing Travel Group in western Canada? We are three in the office plus six BDMs.

  
What’s the best part of the job?  Getting out and talking about the product with our customers.

What did you want to be as a kid?  (Laughs) A Phys Ed teacher.

What was your first job?  It wasn’t exactly my first job, but my best job was working as a tower guard for a waterslide park.

Because of all the bikinis? No! Because I got a great tan!

What’s your favourite airline?  Sunwing of course – and BA is my favourite sked carrier.

What do people not know about you?  That I’m always moving, from the time I get up until I go to bed, active coaching my daughter’s soccer, manging my son’s hockey team.  I can rest when I’m dead.

Any hobbies or interests? Running, and I love hockey.

What do you always travel with? My iPod, filled with Dave Matthews Band music.

What was your worst holiday? My first ever trip to Mexico – but all the misery was self-induced!

What keeps you awake at night? Worrying about my kids - 14 year old Lauryn and 11 year old Carson - and the world we live in.  And, of course, our load factors!

What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months?  Managing the supply and demand curve with excess capacity. I’m not pointing fingers, I think excess capacity is widespread.

Whom do you most respect in the industry?   David Hardouin, founder of Fiesta West and Colin Hunter, because he’s been there and he’s done it and he’s doing it again.

If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be?  Selling on price rather than features and benefits.

What’s your favourite destination?  By far, the Big Island of Hawaii.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?  Watching my son in the NHL!


You may also like
pilots stand in solidarity at person airport
Ratcheting Up: Hundreds of Air Canada Pilots Picket
Air Canada pilots took part in major picketing action across the country on 27AUG as they attempt to pressure the airline ...
Globus Family of Brands Expands Canadian Sales Team
The Globus family of brands is strengthening its Canadian sales team by appointing BDMs Gina Goranson in the west and Elaine ...
Direct Travel Advisor Sue Pechtel Celebrates 50 Years in Travel
Last week in Edmonton, Direct Travel advisor Sue Pechtel celebrated her 50th anniversary in the travel industry with around 90 friends, ...
Industry Partners Support ACTA Summit with Prizing and Sponsorships
ACTA has announced the grand prizes for the 2024 ACTA Summits, which include Air Canada, Riverside Luxury Cruises, CroisiEurope Cruises, and ...
Cruise Boom Driven by Need for Ease, Despite the Price
While segments of the travel industry are talking about a slowdown, cruise lines have increased prices and still see record numbers, ...

Talk Back! Post a comment: