In the green room at Phocuswright Europe with... Mark Tanzer

Mark Tanzer, CEO

Since 2005, Mark Tanzer has been CEO of U.K. travel association ABTA, which has grown to 1,200 corporate members consisting of tour operators, cruise companies and travel agents. At Phocuswright Europe 2019, he will participate in Executive Roundtable: Brexit - Dead Ahead.

In a series of interviews with executives participating at the event in Amsterdam in May, PhocusWire finds out what makes them tick...

What book do you recommend to others and why?

Black Box Thinking, by Matthew Syed. It’s about the importance of developing a culture that builds on failure rather than hiding from it.

What do you do to alleviate stress?

Try to avoid the word "stress." If you redefine what you feel, you start to address it.

If you weren't in travel industry, what company would you like to be part of and why?

The Royal Opera House, or a newspaper group. Every day you create a unique experience or product.

Why isn't the travel startup survival rate higher than it is?

The entry barriers are low, so it will produce more new entrants and more losers. But hopefully a lot of winners, too!

What are you like outside of work?

I hope the same as in work, without the meetings.

What was your childhood aspiration?

To be free to choose what I want to do.

What would you tell your 20-year-old self?

Live for the day. There’s plenty of time to be grown up later.

What gives you energy?

Other people with energy.

What one mistake do you witness others making more than anything else?

Using the word “key.”