Name: Jimmy Greene
Title: Owner/Director
Company: GTi Travel Group
Member Since: November 2016
Customers want to be surprised and see the hidden gem!
What has your company been up to in the past 12 months?
The past 12 months for the GTi Travel Group has been a record year, up 30% from 2018 which was our previous record year. We have been busy recruiting additional staff in our offices, training more guides and launching new products.
What are the current or emerging trends within your sector?
We cover various sectors, but one trend which seems to apply to all is that customers are looking for something a bit different or a bit extra. The main tourism sites and cities are still or course key, but customers now want to be surprised and see the ‘hidden gem’ they had previously not heard of. Posting images on their social media accounts of sights everyone has seen no longer has the wow factor, they want to post something only they have seen.
How does your role support the business?
I have a sales role, dealing with all of the trade contacts we have at the GTi Travel group. This covers everyone from OTA’s such as Trip Advisor or Expedia, to the more traditional Travel Agents and DMC’s, and also Universities and EFL Schools. I am the main contact for our trade partners.
What has been your career highlight to date?
In 2017 in an online article by Trip Advisor we were selected as one of the ‘Worlds most successful Tour Operators’. One of only 13 to be selected worldwide.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
‘Don’t set up emails on your phone, because once you start you never stop’.
The advice here I guess was more for making sure you have time off, nobody can work well if they are working constantly. Glady to this day I have still never set up my work emails on my phone. Once my laptop closes my day is done.
Where is your favourite place to travel to?
I don’t really have one favourite place. I love Spain for golf, Kent country pubs for food, drink and days out and the Greek Islands for family holidays. Sadly I do not get enough of any of the above.
If you were not working in this sector what other industry would you have pursued a career in?
A professional sportsman (Rugby, Golf or Football). But I was never anywhere near good enough at any of them, luckily tourism saved me from a life of failure!
What’s next for your company?
For 2020 we are very much hoping for more of the same from 2019. I think growing business’s should ‘tweak’ and ‘adjust’ things each year rather than radical changes. In terms of specifics we will be launching some new themed products based around Harry Potter Studio and Downton Abbey, some London city break stays and hopefully a food and drink themed excursion. For target markets we will be putting greater emphasis on targeting business from Asia.
Find out more about GTi Travel Group here
