David Hosking
A graduate of Canterbury University, David Hosking uprooted from his native New Zealand and began his career in 1975 within the travel sector as a driver for ContikiTours in Europe. As a driver, he had the opportunity to conduct tours for the company targeting 18 to 35 year olds. These tours extended throughout countries in Europe as well as branching out to Syria,Iran, Pakistan and India.
The company took notice of the political unrest in the Middle East, where several of its tours passed through, and the company made the decision to discontinue trips to the area. They decided that Hosking was their pick to travel to New Zealand to spearhead the opening of the first non-European sector of the company. Following a brief time there, Hosking opened another Contiki branch in Australia, and then moved to North America to help spread operations to the United States and Canada. This opportunity earned him the title of president of the North American division.
After four years serving as president, he gained the position ofmanaging director of Contiki Europe, which meant a move back to the United Kingdom. The late 1980s and early 1990s brought a change to Contiki asthe company was bought out by Trafalgar Tours, and in turn Hoskingsoon became the global managing director for Contiki.
Contiki is represented under the umbrella of The Travel Corporation, along with more than 25 other travel companies. Other companies that are held within this group include Trafalgar Tours, Brendan Vacations, as well as Aussie Adventure Holidays. Hosking was able to gain a seat on the board of directors, where he soon combined his collegiate studies in agriculture and love of travel to create The Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization.
More Online References:
David Hosking - A Tourism and Travel Expert
David Hosking - Managing Director Contiki Tours