PHOTO: © EXPLORA JOURNEYS

THE BASICS
Name: Chris Austin
Title: President, North America
Company, city: Explora Journeys; I’m located in Miami, Florida, but report to our headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
First job: As a barback washing glasses I fell in love with the hospitality industry. After university, I became a sales executive for Sheraton Skyline Hotel London Heathrow.
Where to next: Lake Como on holiday

A LITTLE BIT MORE
What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life?
Jude Law. He’s British and we’re of a similar age. He was so good in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry?
I’d be an interior designer; it’s my second passion in life and a wonderful outlet for thoughtful, meaningful, creative work.

What is your favorite book, movie or television show?
I would say any James Bond film. Daniel Craig made an excellent James Bond, and Skyfall is my all-time favorite. Outside the Bond catalog, Saltburn is excellent.

What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with?
Mrs. Thatcher, the Iron Lady. Wow.

THE BUSINESS
What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it?
During my interview with Explora Journeys, I asked, “How blank are the pieces of paper?” I love the opportunity to begin with blank pages, hearing the family’s vision to create a new and distinct ultra-luxury cruise brand, and bring that vision into fruition.

What is your favorite aspect of the job?
Building a world-class, committed team who are consultative sellers and possess a one team, one vision, one goal attitude and want to overachieve. And, all the while, proving to our family owner their dream is a game- changer and we will be immensely successful.

What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken?
Joining Explora Journeys was a hard job to sign up for: a new brand with no recognition, building everything from scratch — but hard work brings great rewards!

Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry?
That’s easy: Richard Branson. Talk about a man with an idea who brings it to fruition. His gumption is incredible.

AS A TRAVELER
Tell us about a travel nightmare: Most travel nightmares involve canceled flights or missed connections; however, it’s all about the attitude and not stressing over things outside our control. I haven’t had many, other than last week when a baby cried for eight hours on the flight. Thank goodness for Bose headphones!

Share a comical travel experience: When I was a kid on an annual family holiday, the whole trip had comedic moments. My mother came to dinner one evening wearing the same dress as another guest, our travel agent was unexpectedly at the same resort, and I opened a cage of chickens in the local market as I hated to see them locked up. I was 5.

What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? I love all forms of travel; there’s a purpose for each. However, I have to say cruise ships. Call me a romantic, but there’s nothing like sailing your way into a destination. It’s quite transformational.

What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? I delight in anticipatory, intuitive, personalized service. It can be as simple as having the sun lounger ready with Pellegrino water and towels because you enjoyed it the day before. Or a restaurant making your favorite pasta dish that’s not on the menu, or the barman having your cocktail ready when he sees you. The world is full of opportunities to create perfect customer service. A smile can truly transform a day for both the person giving and receiving it.