Currently residing in Switzerland and working as the managing director of Travcorp SA, David Hosking runs the Geneva office of one of the largest travel companies in the world, The Travel Corporation , which includes Contiki.
Mr. Hosking pursued his passion for travel from a young age when he began working at Contiki in the mid 1970s. During his first few years in the company, David Hosking was engaged as a tour guide and driver, where he gained his initial experience by spending the first two years of his employment in Europe and eventually moving to Scandinavia and Russia. He also drove the company’s India Overland Tours from London to Kathmandu, totaling seven trips that were made within a period of three years.
Originating from New Zealand, Mr Hosking studied agriculture at the Canterbury University in Christchurch. His awareness of other cultures combined with his love of travel and experience enabled him to create popular worldwide travel programmes for the carefree, thrill-seeking travelers in the age bracket of 18-30 years.
In 1981, Contiki sent Mr Hosking to New Zealand to become operations manager where he generated new tours in New Zealand and Australia. In 1983 Mr. Hosking moved to America and became president of Contiki Operations in North America until 1987.
His expansion to managing director of Contiki Europe in 1987 brought Mr Hosking to London and in 1990 he became the managing director of the Contiki Group.
Contiki Holidays offers tour packages for young adventure-seekers who are looking for a different type of holiday, including riding rapids on rafts and other adventure experiences. Mr Hosking is dedicated to offering his customers a dynamic balance of travel experiences with comfortable accommodation on a budget.
In addition to his various duties within The Travel Corporation, Contiki Group’s holding Company, Mr Hosking is also the managing director at Travcorp S.A., based in Switzerland. Mr. Hosking joined The Travel Corporation’s board in the year 2000.
Mr. Hosking also plays a very active role as president of The Conservation Foundation, a non-profit association that The Travel Corporation originally established to supervise worldwide projects in support of sustainable tourism. Its main goal is to preserve popular tourist sites and make them more enjoyable for future generations of travelers.
Contiki has recently announced a joint partnership with Celine Cousteau, the world-explorer and environmentalist. This partnership between Contiki and Cousteau intends to educate travelers about issues concerning the environment, especially marine ecosystems. Both Contiki and Celine Cousteau share common objectives for the continuation of ocean advocacy and conservation efforts that promote a positive and long-term effect on the environment.
David Hosking believes that this partnership will help encourage travelers to become responsible global citizens and protectors of this fragile world.
Links:
David Hosking - Travel Industry Veteran 