Howard Ebison is the current General Manager of travel lounge and transport copany No.1 Traveller. Howard joins us and tells us his pet peeve and whether any of his The Apprentice cohorts would make it as a preferred travel buddy. After all, who wouldn’t want Lord Alan Sugar sitting next to them on a plane?
What do you always do when you travel – any routine procedures?
Once I have left to go the airport I always need to immediately touch my passport. It’s not enough to do a mental check, or even to see it, I have to touch it!
What is your travel pet peeve?
It really, really irritates me when people stand up on a plane as soon as the safety-belt sign goes out after landing. They block the aisle, and then stand there for ages not moving anywhere. The first people off the plane have the longest wait at baggage reclaim, so there really is no benefit to being off first.
What is your favourite kind of trip (adventure, romantic, city, beach, etc)?
I love a bargain. So if a particular hotel or operator is running a good promotion I’m on the phone pretty much immediately. I sometimes even book without knowing who will come with me, and work that out afterwards. It seems so much more enjoyable when you know you’re not paying full price. Also, you get prompted to try destinations that you might not normally choose yourself.
Best destination you have ever been to and why?
White Haven Beach on the Whitsundays in Australia. Anyone reading this who has been will be nodding at the screen, it’s unbelievably beautiful.
Where in the world offers the best value for money?
I was in Bulgaria a couple of years ago and prices were incredible. However, some of the bundled promotions that UK destinations are offering are amazing, and they throw in so many extras. I’ve seen deals where you book a hotel room and have meals, drinks, room upgrades, golf and spa treatments for free.
Where would you pay to stay? Is there anywhere you think offers great value and a great deal?
I think that serviced apartments are fantastic value. They have developed the notion of self-catering accommodation for the needs of modern travellers. Eating out can be the cost that breaks the budget for a city break, and this can be avoided.
What is the best airport you have flown from and is there a tip to make this airport experience great? Any ones that do not cut the mustard?
No airport stands out for me, although I haven’t travelled much in Asia, where I have heard great things. On the down side, flying back from Turkey I experienced an airport with particularly poor facilities, and ridiculous prices for basics like sandwiches and drinks. I don’t that is acceptable, particularly as I would consider it a mid-haul route.
When you fly, is there a tip you can share to make the experience a great one?
It’s simple, give yourself plenty of time. It is much better to be at an airport with time to relax in a lounge or browse the shops, than to be stood in the security lane frantically clock-watching. And on that note, if you can pay to Fast-Track through security, do it. It’s worth every penny.
In terms of getting to and from airports, what are the common mistakes people make and what should someone do to make the experience better?
Fully explore all your options. Public transport is a nightmare unless travelling with hand luggage only. Taxis are good for short distances, but a chauffeur often isn’t much more expensive, and is much more comfortable, particularly for longer journeys. Also, a chauffeur can actually be more cost effective when compared with staying in a hotel the night before.
What are your three airport survival tips? What should people do to make the experience a cheap one and alternatively just a better all round experience?
- Know your flight details, including time, airline and terminal. People genuinely turn up not knowing some of this information, particularly if someone else has booked their flight. Terminals can be some distance away, and poor planning can miss flights.
- Book into a lounge. You can escape all the crowds for a reasonable entry fee, which typically covers your food and drink and other things such as Wi-Fi and games. This can have the added benefit of stopping your from browsing the shops and making unnecessary purchases!
- Smile at the airport staff. It is of course their job to be giving the customer service, however it’s amazing how you can have a much better experience just by making the first move.
At one point in your life, you will have had to sit in the middle seat when you fly. If you have two people either side of you, who you most want to share a long haul with and whom would you least? And why.
I would most like to have my best mate and travel buddy Holly on one side. I have done more long-haul flights with her than I have without her. On the other side I would want a small adult who I can easily climb over if I need to!
I would least like to have to sit between a couple of the candidates from last year’s series of The Apprentice. There are one or two who would drive me mad if I had to spend another ten minutes with, never mind ten hours.
If there was one travel nightmare trip you could be put on, where would it be to and what would it involve?
One with lots of organised trips and excursions, with forced fun. I can’t stand that, I need to have the flexibility to do what I want when I am on holiday. Oh, and arriving at your hotel/resort with your partner to find your ex is staying there. Can you imagine?
