The term ‘passion’ is a frequently used cliché word in the travel industry that is used all the time. During a study trip, I once met a travel companion who had ‘a passion’ for collecting fridge magnets. At most, I would call such a thing a hobby, or a deviation, whether or not it is pleasant. I can say the latter, by the way, because I have to admit that I also collected those magnets myself, until I ran out of refrigerators. But passion? As far as I’m concerned, the term mainly applies to larger things, such as a passion for your work. JanHein van de Watering from Breda (The Travel Company/Travel & Sportpromotion) is someone with a passion for sports and travel. It is not uncommon for the two to come together in his work. For the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, he has long since rented an entire hotel. This not only shows passion, but also guts. JanHein loves to offer people the best possible experience, he says in an interview in the new edition of TravMagazine. “I like to arrange everything down to the last detail and give people an unforgettable time,” he says. After all, you will be a customer and book your trip with a travel agent with passion. With someone who goes to great lengths to make your trip completely enjoyable. Then you’re lucky. JanHein is no exception, because most people in the industry I know have the same passion. The passion for their work, for the product they sell (beautiful trips) and the passion and enthusiasm to make the customer feel at home (with beautiful and well-arranged trips). Frank Radstake, who has been Frank Oostdam’s successor as director of the ANVR since 1 July, fits into the same list. In any case, the ANVR has been keeping a lot of balls in the air for years, with a relatively small team. That is something that needs to be said. Frank, Radstake, has been secretly working at the ANVR for 14 years now. His knowledge of the international travel industry is immense, as is his commitment to the members. I am therefore happy, and appropriately proud, to announce Frank as a new columnist in TravMagazine. In a monthly frequency, he sheds light on the ups and downs of the travel sector. He has promised not to mince words. His first pen fruit can be found in our new edition and also online. His e-mail address is there, because Frank likes to have coffee with the ANVR members.
