This week we chat to John Round-Turner, Regional Sales & Marketing Director, East and Southern Africa, Abercrombie & Kent in our Midweek Interview.

The challenge for the industry is…

To keep raising the bar for guest experiences. What was considered unbelieveable 20 years ago is a basic requirement today.

We have to be innovative and one step ahead of the game. It’s all about tailor making an experience to match the guest’s needs and giving them meaningful encounters in the destinations they visit.

The things I like about my job…

Travelling the world, meeting really interesting people and experiencing new and exciting safari properties.

And the frustrations are…

Being away from my family.

If I didn’t work in travel I would be…

An airline pilot.

Favourite airline?

Safarilink, a regional airline based in Nairobi operating a scheduled service between safari destinations.

My proudest moment was…

When A&K Philanthropy teamed up with Worldreader to introduce e-readers and teacher training material to the Ilboru special needs school in Tanzania. The partnership is transforming schools and our education system here in East Africa.

I try to relax by…

Cleaning up after my kids, occasionally I get to watch rugby or cricket.

The last time I feared for my life was…

Four years ago on a flight between Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The smooth flight was interrupted by such severe turbulance there was red wine all over the ceiling, two flight attendants were injured, one with a  broken nose and one with a broken arm.  Food and drinks cascaded down the aisles.

If I can, I always try to avoid…

Being on the Kenyan coast in April when the heavy rains fall but if I am I’ll go fishing which can be outstanding at that time of year.

I really wish I had…

The ability to freeze time – I would never be late submitting reports or be running to catch a flight.

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

To keep my mouth shut and ears open. From my Dad the day before I started my first ever job.

I don’t understand why people…

Ignore our recommendations for soft sided luggage when flying on light aircraft. Hard-sided suitcases simply don’t fit properly into the holds of light aircraft and makes for an uncomfortable encounter with your pilot.

My greatest weakness is…

Chocolate.

And my greatest strength is…

Getting my kids to think that broccoli and peas are a treat to be savoured!  It’s all about marketing.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…

Buy a house in Muthaiga, the exclusive Nairobi suburb.

If I was prime minister I would…

Force all electronic companies to have a standard charging cable for all devices.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be…

A fighter pilot.

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

 Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

My favourite holiday was…

A walking safari in northern Kenya, sleeping in simple tents and moving to a different campsite every day.  On foot, you see so much more than from any other mode of transport and you appreciate the enormity of the landscape and everything in it.