Matthew Mayne is the CEO of Jasons Travel Media. He leads a company that has survived and thrived in New Zealand since 1967, reinventing itself in 2000 as an expert 'infomediary' to deliver high-quality information that connects travel buyers with sellers. Each year around one in four visitors (to or within Australasia and the South Pacific region) use Jasons Travel Media. 

Here, he shares some of the ups, downs and sideways he’s experienced in the travel industry – both professionally and personally.

Did you always want to work in travel? 

I can’t say I always had a desire to work in the travel industry, but when you’re seven years in the UK, you begin seeing New Zealand in a really different light in terms of the unique experiences we can offer. I now have a pretty healthy respect for this country. When the CEO of Jasons Travel Media opportunity came up I knew it was the perfect job for me.  

How has the industry changed in the past five years?

The most significant change has been in the way people plan and book their holidays. People are doing the planning and booking themselves, and are much more aware of what they want and how to find that information. Lead times have become shorter and people are taking mini breaks more frequently. Visitors want the best deal and on-the-spot answers. This has required tourism operators to become more computer-savvy and to be set up to accept instant bookings. 

And how will things look three years from now? 

While print is still and will continue to be a strong player in this industry, the web and other Internet applications are growing at a great rate. This is where my experience and background comes into play for Jasons. In particular, social media and its impact will become more prevalent, influencing the decisions people make for their holidays or business accommodation choices. As more people comment on and read reviews, view videos and photographs on sites such as Trip Advisor, Facebook and Twitter, tourism operators need to be aware that they no longer have full control over how they market their business and need to ensure that they deliver what they promise all the time. Jasons has already embraced social media and in a short time has achieved more than 1,000 followers on Twitter.

 Why do you think Jasons has stood the test of time? 

Our target market has always been the FIT (Free and Independent Traveller) we are always aware of this growing market’s needs and have moved with them through the years. Jasons print products have always been niche, making it easier for travellers to find what they want easily. That format has been transposed into Jasons.com making it rank consistently as one of the top three travel websites in New Zealand. 

The company has always worked closely with the tourism industry and supports operators by bringing them the customers directly. The size of the company allows it to be nimble and experts in this field. 

Your best online travel tips and tricks?

First and foremost, make sure you’re subscribed to the right Twitter feeds to get updates of the best travel deals available.  Secondly, the thing I loathe on a long-haul flight is being trapped in a middle seat (particularly if the seats on either side hold overweight individuals – that scenario gives me the sweats just thinking about it).  You can avoid being piggy in the middle by carefully selecting your seat online when you book your air ticket. When you make an accommodation booking online, make sure you always print out your reference and take it with you on your trip. When you come to check in it saves a lot of faffing if reception is having a bad day and can’t find your booking.  

When it comes to holidays, are you a real planner, or would you rather wing it?

Let me tell you, there is absolutely no glory in winging it when you’ve got little ones along for the ride. Gone are the days when my wife and I could just drop everything on a whim and head off without a second thought. These days, planning is just fundamental to preservation of sanity. If my little daughter is not absolutely catered for, then Daddy is left in absolutely no doubt about the exact level of her discontent.  Yes, I plan. But not because I was ever good at it, simply because the alternative these days just doesn’t bear thinking about.

What did you learn from your own worst adventure?

I had a gun shoved up under my ribs in Barcelona once. That was fairly unpleasant.  What did I learn?  I guess I learned that if it’s three in the morning, and your non-English speaking cabbie drops you off at completely the wrong place despite all your protests, you should still endeavour to pay the man, as in Barcelona, they tend to take these things to heart.    

The five essentials when packing for (almost) anything?

(1) Get good Immune Defence tablets (chemist).  You’re going to be cooped up with a lot of people’s bugs in a very dry air-conditioned cabin for hours at a time. You want your body’s natural defences to be top drawer.    

(2) Music player and earphones – when you’re travelling you tend to be put in closer proximity to a lot of people you’d normally not go near given half a chance. Arguing couples, screaming babies, drunk Aussies… A music player and earphones will take you some way to distancing yourself from these unwelcome experiences. It can’t do anything to soften exposure to bad breath or B.O. though – you’re on your own there.     

(3) iPhone. GPS and Google maps make it impossible to get lost, and for someone who would struggle to find his way out of a paper bag, this little gadget makes my life sweet.  This big dot’s you, this big dot’s where you’re going etc. Finally, now even the directionally-challenged can set forth on holiday with confidence. 

(4) Plastic bag to wrap your shampoo. How many times do I have to learn this??

(5) Let’s face it – a passport tends to be a big help in leaving the country.

And where to next in the world, intrepid traveller? 

We’re new to Auckland, so my wife and I are actually just having lots of fun exploring the holiday spots North and South of here.  After seven years away from the country, we’re just in love with how great New Zealand is and what it can offer.  Hahei?  Paihia?  I’ll keep you posted.