Traveled countless times in almost all the countries
Meteorologist, Journalist, Travel Agent. That’s the order of vocations that interested me at High School when I was asked “What do you want to do when you leave school?” Fate was to play a hand in what happened. Or was it my exam results? You needed to be a genius in mathematics and physics to be a meteorologist. A literary wizard to be a journalist and have half a clue where places are to be a travel agent. And guess what? I became a travel agent. And a bloody good one, even if I say so myself. Mind you it didn’t just happen, it was an evolution that took me from an 18 year old at Ansett Airlines, to a retail travel agent, to an Italian wholesaler, to eventually owning my own retail travel business with my wife at the age of 29. Sonia was just 21.
Being good in travel is not just about selling but more about knowing or better still, knowing who will know through worldwide personal contacts. I can hang my hat on a number of interesting clients at Hawthorn Travel, from a past Australian Prime Minister, Victorian State Premiers and sports stars to many, many people without such big egos. One couple started booking with me in 1985 and still book with Hawthorn Travel today. Tony and Maureen Wheeler, founders and long-time owners of Lonely Planet Publications. I don’t know anyone who has travelled more extensively than they have.
So what is “Your Boarding Pass Mr Jones” all about? Its integrity in travel, it’s truthful, it’s having a laugh, it’s sad, it’s sharing and it’s the world as I or my guests see it. What it’s not. It’s not paid for comment and it’s not a billboard of travel specials. I do hope you find it entertaining and enjoy it as much as I have creating it.
