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Al-Futtaim GM Bill Horsley boasts 40 years’ experience in the travel industry.

Al-Futtaim Travel general manager, Bill Horsley, outlines his plans to put this travel agency in Dubai’s top-five elite.

Where were you based prior to joining Al-Futtaim Travel?

I was with a major international hotel chain as head of sales and marketing in Africa.

It was a very short stint and although the job and the people were fantastic, I wanted to return to the industry I grew up with.

What attracted you to your current role?

I've been very fortunate to work for leading travel operations - Al-Futtaim Travel was a different challenge in that it is considered a small operation.

Al-Futtaim is a very famous brand, but it isn't a major player in the travel arena, so this is a challenge.

What challenges do you expect to face?

The Dubai market is deregulated, not like in Abu Dhabi where there is structure and legislation in place.

The situation in Dubai because of this deregulation is twofold - one argument is that there are too many agents in the market and the other is that the market is big enough to cope and only the best agents will succeed.

What are you hoping to achieve as general manager?

I want to put Al-Futtaim Travel in the top five travel agencies in the UAE, but in the short- to medium-term, I want to make sure the company is well represented and professional.

I'd like to establish a more boutique style of operation and servicing, especially with our mall operations that cater in particular to the [inbound and outbound] leisure market.

What motivates you?

I am passionate about the industry and the way I've been able to come in at grassroots level in the Gulf region in the 70s to still be a part of it in 2008 - I'm very much a dyed-in-the-wool travel specialist. I won't say I'm the best manager in the world, but I'm certainly a good coach.

I've been very fortunate that the young guys and girls that have worked with me over the years have gone on to bigger and better things and that is my legacy - my reward for 40 years in the business.

How do you unwind after a hard day at the office?

I'm passionate about horses. I get out on my horse and I forget everything.

I'm into keeping fit, so I work out in the gym three times a week plus I exercise my horse every day.

Can you think of your dream travel experience?

I've been fortunate during my 40 years in the industry to travel all over the world. I've had glamorous opportunities like sailing on the QEII and I've also flown on Concorde, but it's usually the simple destinations that leave the most lasting memories.

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