Hot on the heels of celebrating his 20th anniversary with the company, Moore reflects on our industry, bucket lists, and the delights of snacking on Jos Louis.
Where were you born? In Scarborough, ON.
How long have you been in the business? This is my 20th year, always with The Travel Corporation.
How many people work for you? I have eight direct reports who between them have just over 100 staff. We handle operations for Canada for all the brands: Trafalgar, Insight, Costsaver, Luxury Gold, Busabout Canada, Contiki and Uniworld.
Do you have a pet brand? They all offer something unique and different, but maybe I have a soft spot for Contiki as that’s where I was hired. I have travelled the most with Trafalgar and Insight.
What’s the best part of the job? Honestly? The people. I work with some great people.
What did you want to be as a kid? A gym teacher. I wasn’t the most athletic kid but I loved sports. I still love soccer and enjoy playing it.
What was your first ever job? A paper route, delivering the Scarborough Mirror. It paid only a couple of cents per house but that was enough to help fund my first bike and provide a little spending money on vacations.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. It was my first time and I got a little claustrophobic but I ended up actually enjoying myself.
Any guilty pleasures? Probably eating – most of the guys here know I don’t particularly like chocolate but I do like Jos Louis. For whatever reason!
What’s your favourite airline? Air Canada – because I’ve always had good service. I must say I don’t typically like flying U.S.-based carriers.
Favourite hotel chain? The Starwood group – Sheraton, Marriott etc.
What’s on your tablet? A lot of apps for my boys (aged 6 and 4) such as Plants vs Zombies.
What do people not know about you? How much I love history. It’s kind of reflected in the places I travel to, such as Italy and Egypt.
Any hobbies or interests? Reading.
When were you happiest? At different points…certainly any time travelling. And my wedding day, the days my kids were born.
What would you tell your 20-year-old self? “Be patient and listen first.”
Who do you most admire in the industry? I’d have to say our President Jeff Element, because we have similar accounting backgrounds -- but he has transitioned to lead the organization in all areas such as sales and marketing.
What skill or talent do you admire in someone? Honesty.
What’s at the top of your bucket list? Parts of Asia. I’m already planning a trip to Angkor Wat.
What keeps you awake at night? The way the world is today. What’s going to happen next – positive or negative, politically or geographically.
How do you spend your frequent flyer points? More travel!
What is your greatest extravagance? Watches. I have just over a dozen.
How do you stay fit when you travel? I bring my running gear and go to the hotel gym.
If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be? If it could embrace technology a bit more.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight, who would it be? My wife.
Do you have a favourite charity? Toronto’s Sick Kids and Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? Adapting to today’s traveller and the landscape of what the next big thing is in travel, the disrupters like Airbnb.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? Doing what I’m doing now and still travelling!
