PHOTO: © ETIHAD AIRWAYS
THE BASICS
Name: Duncan Bureau
Title: Senior vice president, Sales and Distribution
Company, city: Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
First job: Delivering papers on my bike
A LITTLE BIT MORE
What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life?
Mike Meyers. He is a great Canadian actor with an amazing sense of humor who has a Scottish background, as I do with my mum and dad.
What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry?
I would be in either the watch or car industry; I have a passion for both. I love the workmanship involved in beautiful timepieces and cars.
What is your favorite book, movie or television show?
Nuts! by Herb Kelleher, about Southwest Airlines
What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with?
Winston Churchill
THE BUSINESS
What is your favorite aspect of the job?
People, by far. I love the people in this industry; and the great thing is no matter where in the world I am, this industry is over-indexed with amazing, smart, passionate people.
What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken?
I was part of a team that launched flights into Palm Springs from Calgary. I remember clearly that all the data and math told us not to do it, but we did it anyway, and it became an amazing success.
Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry?
There truly are so many great people in this industry. One of the most amazing leaders I had the privilege to work with is Calin Rovinescu, CEO, Air Canada. He is an incredibly smart guy who understands this business and the impact companies have on the communities they serve. I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to work with him; I learned a lot about business and life.
AS A TRAVELER
Tell us about a travel nightmare: There is no lack of stories related to travel nightmares. That said, I love this industry and exploring the world. Whether or not I got an aisle seat or the muffin I was served was not big enough, the reality is I love to see what this world has to offer. I sometimes listen to people as they travel and think not that long ago the only way across North America was by horse and buggy and/or walking. Today we can travel from remote villages to the world’s largest cities on the other side of the globe within 24 hours. I have a hard time complaining about my ability to explore this world. So there are few travel challenges I have ever encountered that would stop me from getting on a plane and exploring Mother Earth.
What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? I am and will always be a massive fan of air travel. I love the idea of going on a plane and still get excited every time — even though I have flown thousands of times.
What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? This is easy: a guy named Cedric Wester, a utility porter at the Wynn Las Vegas. I was staying at the Wynn and walking with a colleague when I literally ran into Cedric. He was busy driving a floor cleaning machine, and we were lost. We were in his way as we were standing in the middle of the hallway. I realized he was behind us, waiting patiently. I apologized, and he turned off his machine and came down to ask how he could help. He then gave us directions to where we were going. I apologized for being in his way, and he said, “Sir, if you were not in this hotel, we would not have jobs at this amazing hotel with the opportunity to meet amazing people from all over the world.” This interaction resonated with me, and I refer to it often. I was so impressed by this guy, I sent a note to the CEO of Wynn to explain just how amazing a brand ambassador Cedric is and how proud he is of his job and his hotel.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jul 26, 2024Accor Unveils Its First Handwritten Collection Brand in the United States
San Francisco, a city renowned for its commercial hubs and cultural sites, will become the first destination in the United States for one of Accor's newest brands, Handwritten Collection. The city’s Hotel Stratford San Francisco, Handwritten Collection is a European-style boutique property located near Union Square on the famous Powell Street cable car line. The area will now have the Handwritten Collection name behind it. The property becomes Accor's third hotel in San Francisco, joining the Fairmont properties atop Nob Hill and at Ghirardelli Square.
Sponsored Content
Welcome to Wyndham Monterrey Ambassador Centro
Wyndham Monterrey Ambassador Centro, operated by Aimbridge LATAM, opened its doors, welcoming guests to one of the most iconic and traditional properties in Monterrey, Nuevo León. Boasting 229 rooms and suites, the hotel, part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, is ready for discerning travelers. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the largest hotel franchise company in the world with approximately 9,100 hotels in more than 95 countries.
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 26, 2024Bask in Nature’s Tranquility at The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo
When the two of us entered The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, past the backlit boutique items and local artisan-painted wood carvings, the place wrapped us in a feeling of tranquility. Its stone walls, earth tones, woven wall hangings and furniture made of natural materials reminded us we are part of nature’s spectrum, the abundant windows showing native plants and trees outside.
Daily
Jul 26, 20244 Boutique Hotels with Exclusive Wedding Buyout Offerings
Couples looking for an over-the-top wedding, consider one of these properties around the world, offering total property buyouts to say your “I do’s.”
Sponsored Content
Tips to Plan a Destination Event Worth the Trip
It's time to shake things up and inject some serious excitement into your next gathering. Whether planning a corporate conference, black-tie gala or milestone celebration, choosing the right venue can make all the difference. City Winery shares some tips to make your next gathering a rockin' success.
Airlines
Jul 26, 2024BermudAir Maximizes Choices for Travelers with New Options
BermudAir announced an expanded fare structure, allowing customers to choose from five fare types across economy and business class, up from the previous three options. Travelers can now select fares based on their preferences for lounge access, checked baggage, change fees, refunds and priority boarding.
Discover Hvar, Croatia’s, Best-Kept Secrets
Daily
Jul 25, 2024Daily
Jul 24, 2024SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites Introduces Custom Wine Itineraries
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites offers guests personalized journeys to Mendoza’s finest wineries from Susana Balbo’s family. Immerse yourself in bespoke wine itineraries recommended by Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker; her son and third-generation winemaker, José Lovaglio Balbo; and her daughter, hotelier and wine tourism marketer, Ana Lovaglio Balbo.
Sponsored Content
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
As you look ahead to winter travel, United Airlines and its MileagePlus loyalty program introduced MileagePlus miles pooling, which allows members to contribute and combine miles into a joint account. Groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. As the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature, United also allows any MileagePlus member, whether relatives or close friends, to be in a pool with other members.
eFlyer Reviews
Jul 24, 2024Althoff Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg Review
After a long drive from our previous destination, it was a relief to see Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg in our view. When we pulled into the hotel court, I felt like we were pulling up to a royal palace. Considering the hotel was originally built as a castle for Prince Elector Johann Wilhelm II of Duesseldorf and his wife, Maria-Luisa of the Medici family, my thought wasn’t that far off.
ShareThis