How long have you been in the business? 17 years in all, including being a travel agent and now 10 years with Air Canada Vacations.
How many people work for you? Over 350 across Canada.
What’s the best part of the job? The people – our partners. I love going out on the road and talking to agents anonymously – finding out what the competitors are doing, what could be improved.
What did you want to be as a kid? A lawyer. I have the gift of talking!
What was your first job? A go-fer in a travel agency in my home country, Lebanon.
What skill or talent do you admire in someone? Honesty, straightforwardness, flexibility and a sense of humour. We work very hard but at the end of the day when we laugh it makes it all worthwhile.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? I lived through wars in Lebanon and have done many things – nothing scares me now.
What do people not know about you? I love skydiving, gliding, paragliding and got my motorcycle licence last year. (I hope my Mum doesn’t read this!)
What’s your favourite all-time movie? Ah! The Thomas Crown Affair. That’s why I tried gliding – because it’s in the movie.
When are you happiest? When my net profit to the company is high.
Whom do you most respect in the industry? A couple: Ben Smith, an Executive VP at AC, and Butch Stewart of Sandals, because of what he’s accomplished.
If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be? If we could, for the love of God, be honest with each other and respect each other.
They say that keeping staff is one of the biggest challenges in our business. What is it that ACV does to retain staff? We just talk to them. We do quarterly presentations, off-sites, we invest in their education and listen to their needs.
What are you really bad at? Being patient.
What’s your favourite destination? Bermuda. It calms me, which is rare.
Where’s your next trip? To Jamaica - Royal Plantation, one of my favourite hotels.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? I’d like to be still working, but at my leisure. But not sitting on a beach. I could do that for half a day – maximum!
