Dictionary of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Part 8

Who Was Who Agnelli, Giovanni (1866–1945) Italian industrialist and philanthropist who was the founder (1899) and chairman of FIAT (Fabrica Italiana Automobili Torino), the largest industrial enterprise and automobile manufacturer in Italy and the main arms supplier to Government during the two World Wars. Alcock, Sir John William (1892–1919) British aviator who made, with his navigator A.W. Brown, the first non-stop transatlantic flight (1919) from St John’s, Newfoundland, to Clifden, Ireland. Amundsen, Roald (1872–1928) Norwegian explorer and navigator, and the first man to reach both Poles – the South Pole on skis and with a dog team in 1911 (35 days before Captain Scott) and the North Pole using an airship in 1926. Anderson, Sir Donald Forsyth (1906–1973) British shipping executive and industry leader, successively director, managing director and chairman, Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co (P&O) and Chairman/President, British Shipping Federation and International Shipping Federation. Ansett, Sir Reginald Myles (1909–1981) Australian businessman and aviation entrepre-neur who became a pioneer of passenger flying before World War II. When he took over the rival Australian National Airways (ANA) in 1957, Ansett Transport Industries became the largest private transport system in the southern hemisphere, which was later given parity with the state-owned Trans Australian Airlines (TAA) by the Federal Government under its ‘two airlines’ policy. Austin (of Longbridge), Baron Herbert (1866–1941) English car manufacturer who produced, when with the Wolseley Company, his first three-wheel car in 1895; his own works opened near Birmingham in 1905 and the output included in 1921 the popular ‘Baby’ Austin 7. Baedeker, Karl (1801–1859) German publisher who started his own business in 1827 in Koblenz and became the best known nineteenth-century publisher of authoritative guidebooks, which still bear his name. Baum, Vicki (originally Vicki Hedwig) (1888–1960) Novelist born in Vienna who, after writing several novels and short stories, made her name with Grand Hotel (1930), which became a best seller and a popular film. Emigrated to USA in 1931. Beeching, Baron Richard (Life Peer) (1913–1985) English engineer and administra-tor who was chairman of the British Railways Board (1963–65) and deputy chairman of ICI (1966–68). Best known for the scheme devised and approved under his chairmanship (the Beeching Plan) for the substantial contraction of the UK rail network in the 1960s. Bemelmans, Ludwig (1898–1962) Australian-born US writer and artist, author of numerous magazine pieces and of more than 30 wryly humorous books, including On Board Noah’s Ark, a travel book and Hotel Bemelmans. Bennett, Arnold (1867–1931) English novelist, author of Great Hotel Babylon (1902) and Imperial Palace (1930), the latter novel based on the Savoy Hotel in London. Berni, Frank (1903–2000) Italian born British restaurateur, elder of the two brothers who created Berni Inns, the largest restaurant chain of steak houses outside America, which was sold to Grand Metropolitan with almost 150 outlets in 1970. Blériot, Louis (1872–1936) Airman born in France who made the first flight across the 223 Biographical Dictionary English Channel, from Baraques to Dover in 1909, in a small monoplane. Boeing, William Edward (1881–1956) US aircraft manufacturer. Having learnt to fly, he formed his first company to build seaplanes, which became Boeing Aeroplane Company, eventually the largest manufacturer of military and civil aircraft in the world; in 1927 he formed the Boeing Air Transport Company which introduced many novelties in aviation. When he retired in 1934, the Company became United Airlines. Boyd, Louise Arner (1887–1972) US explorer, who began organizing, financing and leading polar expeditions during the 1920s, participated in the search for missing explorer Roald Amundsen in 1928, and during the 1930s explored eastern Arctic Canada and Greenland. She was the first woman to fly over the North Pole (1955). Bradshaw, George (1801–1853) English printer, mapmaker and publisher, best remem-bered for the series of railway guides (Bradshaws), which he originated in 1839. Bridges, John Gourlay (1901–1985) Scottish administrator, businessman and consultant who served The Overseas League in Scotland and in Canada before World War II and between 1945 and 1963 was first Director General of Britain’s voluntary National Tourism Organization, the forerunner of the British Tourist Authority. He was responsible for its management through a period of considerable growth and change: the staff of 29 at the time of his appointment approached 400 when he retired and the number of overseas offices exceeded 20. Brittain, Sir Harry (1873–1974) British newspaper director, politician and business-man who was, inter alia, active head of The Pilgrim’s Club for 17 years, prominent member of the Royal Commonwealth Society, founder member of the British Travel Association, as well as chairman and member of the committees of the two organizations. Brunel, Isambard Kingdom (1806–1859) British engineer and inventor born in France who built steam-powered ships, railways and bridges and became known as the ‘Father of the Great Western Railway’, having served as engineer to the Company. Butlin, Sir William (‘Billy’) (1899–1980) South-African born entrepreneur who emigrated first to Canada and after World War I to England, where he set up his first large-scale holiday camp in 1937 which grew to a chain with 70 000 beds (as well as a number of hotels) by the time he retired in 1968. Chandler, Henry (1913–1992) British travel industry leader who founded the Travel Club and Chandler’s Travel of Upminster, was largely responsible for the development of the Portuguese Algarve for mass tourism in the 1960s, and a prime mover in the creation of financial protection for package holiday makers, serving as chairman and President of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). After his death, the business was continued by his wife and son. Chaucer, Geoffrey (c.1345–1400) English poet and author, i.a., of Canterbury Tales, based on an early pilgrimage to Canterbury. Chevrolet, Louis (1879–1941) Swiss-born US automobile racer and designer who designed and built in 1911, in collaboration with W.G. Durant, the first ‘Chevrolet’ that was produced to compete with Ford. However, Chevrolet lost confidence in the car and sold his interest to Durant who incorporated the Chevrolet Motor Co. into his General Motors organization. Chevrolet thus benefited little from the hugely successful car that bore his name. Chib, Som Nath (1908–1985) Leading Indian tourism expert, for many years senior executive of All India Radio, first Director General of the Indian Tourist Department 1957–1966, and for more than six years Director of Tourism in the Bahamas. He has advised and conducted studies for, i.a., the UN, UNDP and World Bank. He also served as President of the International Union of Official Travel Organizations (IUOTO) and of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). His extensive published work includes Essays on Tourism (1989), edited posthumously by one of his daughters. Chichester, Sir Francis (1901–1972) Pioneer air navigator, adventurer and yachts- 224 Biographical Dictionary man born in England who made several pioneer flights before taking up ocean sailing. He won the first solo transatlantic yacht race (1960) in Gipsy Moth III, sailing from Plymouth to New York, made a successful circumnavi-gation of the world (1966–67) in Gipsy Moth IV, sailing from Plymouth to Sydney and from there back to Plymouth via Cape Horn. Citroën, André Gustave (1878–1935) French engineer and industrialist who built his Citroën Automobile in 1919 and became known as the ‘French Henry Ford’ for intro-ducing Ford’s methods of production and marketing to the French automobile industry. Columbus, Christopher (1451–1506) Genoese navigator, explorer and discoverer of the New World in the service of Spain. Cook, Thomas (1808–1892) British tour operator, retail travel agent and publisher whose railway trip in 1841 was the first public excursion; in 1856 he organized a railway tour of Europe, and in the early 1860s started the travel firm Thomas Cook and Son, which grew into a worldwide organization. Coppock, Terry (1921–2000) British geogra-pher and administrator who made major contributions to agricultural geography, geographical information systems, planning, tourism and recreation. He was Ogilvie Professor of Geography at Edinburgh University (1965–86) and Director of the Tourism and Recreation Research Unit (TRRU 1966–80), from where 50 TRRU research reports had a major influence on the planned development of Scottish tourism. Crowther (of Headingley), Baron Geoffrey (Life Peer) (1907–1972) British economist, journalist and businessman who became a director of Trust Houses relatively early in his career, eventually chairman and, following a merger with Forte & Co, chairman of Trust House Forte. He also made a major contribution to British education. Cunard, Sir Samuel (1787–1865) Shipowner born in Canada who emigrated to England where he co-founded the Cunard Line and pioneered the first regular transatlantic steamship service between Liverpool and Halifax, Nova Scotia. D’Erlanger, Sir Gerard (1906–1962) British businessman and aviation executive who served as director of British Airways (1935–40), and of BOAC (1940–6), managing director (1946–7) and chairman (1947–9) of BEA, and also chairman of BOAC (1956–60). De Haan, Sidney (1919–2002) British entre-preneur who founded in 1951 Saga Holidays, the specialist tour operation for those of pensionable age, and pioneered direct market-ing. The many successful spin-offs included the popular Saga Magazine, financial services and insurance. When the Company was floated on the Stock Exchange in 1978, it was one of the most oversubscribed issues of the year. At the time of De Haan’s death, the Group was worth £185 million. De Havilland, Sir Geoffrey (1882–1965) English aircraft designer who built his first plane in 1908 and became director of the firm bearing his name, which produced many famous models, including the Tiger Moth (1930), the Mosquito (1941) and the Comet jet airliner (1952). He also established a height record for light aircraft and won the King’s Cup air race. Disney, Walt (1901–1966) US artist and film producer who founded the organization which created the world’s largest theme parks: he opened Disneyland in California in 1955, and his company opened DisneyWorld in Florida in 1971, the Tokyo Park in 1983 and Euro Disney on the outskirts of Paris in 1992. Douglas (of Kirtleside), Baron William Sholto (1893–1969) British air force officer and airline executive who served in both World Wars, was military governor of the British zone of occupation in Germany, and after leaving the air force, chairman of British European Airways 1949–64. Doyle, Paschal Vincent (1923–1988) Irish builder and hotelier who built and operated a number of Irish hotels, becoming the most successful hotelier in the history of the indus-try, employing 2000 people and owning hotels also in Britain and the United States. From 1973 he served as chairman of the Irish Tourist Board under successive Governments. In 1999 Doyle Hotels were acquired by Jurys and the new company became Jurys Doyle. 225 Biographical Dictionary Edwards, Sir Ronald (1910–1976) British industrialist and promoter of management education; manufacturer of cars, trucks and buses; i.a., chairman of the Committee of Inquiry into Civil Aviation Transport (‘Edward’s Committee’) whose report British Air Transport in the Seventies was published in 1969. Eiffel, (Alexander) Gustave (1832–1923) French civil engineer who designed many notable bridges and viaducts before his most famous project, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, erected 1887–9, the highest building in the world until 1930 and the world’s major visitor attraction. He also designed the framework of the Statue of Liberty in New York. Escoffier, Auguste (c.1847–1935) A famous French chef at the Grand Hotel, Monte Carlo, before César Ritz persuaded him to come to the Savoy Hotel in London and finally to the Carlton; his publications included the Guide Culinaire (1903) and Ma Cuisine (1934). Ford, Henry (1863–1947) American automo-bile designer and manufacturer who produced his first petrol-driven motor car in 1893 and in 1899 founded a company in Detroit designing his own car. In 1903 he started the Ford Motor Company pioneering modern assembly line mass production techniques for his famous model ‘T’ introduced to the market at a price which brought the motor car within the reach of the masses. Fuchs, Sir Vivian (1908–1999) Explorer, Director of British Antarctic Survey 1958–73, first person to cross Antarctica. Geddes, Baron (1897–1983) British businessman, i.a., director of P&O Steamship Navigation Company 1957–72 and President UK Chamber of Shipping, Deputy Chairman (1960–4) and Chairman (1964–9) of the British Travel Association, the official tourism organization. Gluckstein, Montague (1854–1922) English caterer and food manufacturer who founded with brother Isidore and Joseph Lyons, a distant relative, J. Lyons & Co., regis-tered 1894. The Company’s operations extended from well-known teashops and London Corner Houses to outside catering and hotels, including the largest London hotels, as well as using mass food production methods, notably at its headquarters, Cadby Hall. Gordon, Frederick (1835–1904) A solicitor, politician and founder and chairman of Gordon Hotels, leading figure of the Victorian hotel industry in Britain, described as ‘the Napoleon of the hotel world’. Guthrie, Sir Giles (1916–1979) British airline executive who served on the board of the nationalized British European Airways (BEA) and was chairman and chief executive of the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) as well as chairman of BOAC–Cunard Ltd. Hacking, Baron Douglas Hewitt (1884–1950) British civil servant and politi-cian, the effective founder of Britain’s national tourism organization, first chairman of the Travel Association of Great Britain and Ireland and its successor bodies 1929–50. Henderson, Ernest (1924–1994) ‘Mr Sheraton’; leading US hotelier who did not enter the hotel business until he was 44 years old but by the time he died 26 years later, Sheraton was the largest hotel chain in the world. Hilton, Conrad (1887–1979) US entrepre-neur who bought his first hotel in Texas in 1919, bought/sold/operated hotels 1919–46, before founding the Hilton Hotel Corporation and Hilton International after World War II. Wrote Be My Guest (1957) and Inspirations of an Innkeeper (1963). Hunziker, Walter (1899–1974) Leading Swiss tourism academic, administrator and entrepreneur, Professor of Tourism at the University of St Gallen, head of several national as well as co-founder and President of international organizations. Jerome, Jerome Klapka (1859–1927) English humorous writer, novelist and playwright, author of classic Three Men in a Boat (1889, an account of a boat trip up the Thames from Kingston to Oxford) and of another travelogue, Three Men on a Bummel (1900). Johnson, Amy (1903–1941) Pioneer English aviator who flew solo from England to Australia (1930), to Japan via Siberia (1931) and to Cape Town (1932), making new records in each case. 226 Biographical Dictionary Johnson, Howard Deering (1896–1972) US entrepreneur and founder of the chain, which by the time he handed it over to his son in 1959, had 550 restaurants and 75 motor lodges, and the name Howard Johnson was becoming synonymous with highway travel. Jones, Albert Henry (1907–1966) British hotel executive who, for some 30 years, ran London’s Grosvenor House hotel, first as general manager and then managing director. A dynamic leader of the industry, he served as chairman of the Hotel and Catering Institute, the professional body, and promoted apprentice-ship schemes as well as management educa-tion. Joseph, Sir Maxwell (1910–1982) British entrepreneur, chairman of Grand Metropolitan Hotels, who had by 1973 built the largest hotel group in London, the second largest in Britain, and the 12th largest UK company from a base of one small hotel in 1947. In the early days of the Company, his partners included Henry Edwards and Fred Kobler, who should be also credited with its success. Kroc, Ray (1902–1984) American entrepre-neur born in the USA of Czech parents, whose name is forever connected with the firm McDonald’s. Although he had not founded it, having bought all rights from brothers McDonald, he developed it to become the leading fast food corporation worldwide. Lindbergh, Charles Augustus (1902–1974) American aviator who made the first solo transatlantic flight from New York City to Paris in the monoplane Spirit of St Louis in 1927. London, Jack (1876–1916) A prolific American writer and political speaker who wrote more than 50 books between 1900 and his death in 1916, most based on his own travel experiences, ranging from searching for gold in the Klondike to riding freight trains as a hobo, many in Alaska and Canada. White Fang and The Call of the Wild are probably best known today. Low, Erna (originally Erna Löwe) (1909–2002) Austrian born British pioneer tour operator and tourism consultant who from 1932 contin-ued to run ski and summer trips almost uninterrupted for 60 years. After World War II she established Erna Low Travel Services, to which she added a small travel agency chain in the 1960s. In the 1970s she sold and bought the Company back twice. For a number of years she ceased to organize holidays and worked as a consultant for ski, golf and spa resorts. When the Company was restarted as a ski operator in the 1990s, she handed the business over to her co-director but her name lives on and the firm flourishes. Lunn, Sir Arnold (1888–1974) British Alpine ski pioneer (son of Sir Henry Lunn), founder of the Ski Club of Great Britain and the Alpine Ski Club, who invented slalom gates, and obtained Olympic recognition for the modern Alpine slalom race and downhill races. Lunn, Sir Henry (1859–1939) British travel bureau and skiing pioneer credited with intro-ducing skiing to Switzerland (father of Sir Arnold Lunn). Lyons, Sir Joseph Nathaniel (1847–1917) English caterer and food manufacturer who first studied art and invented a stereoscope before joining the Gluckstein and Salmon families to establish a restaurant company, and becoming head of J. Lyons and Co. Ltd, one of the largest catering businesses in Britain. McAlpine, Sir Robert (1847–1934) Scottish building contractor who, having left school at the age of ten to work in the pits, after which he was apprenticed as a bricklayer, founded and built up a large company using new build-ing techniques and labour-saving machinery, winning major contracts especially for roads and such projects as Wembley Stadium and the prestigious Dorchester Hotel in London, owned by the family for more than 40 years. McCrindle, John Ronald (1894–1977) British airline executive whose early civil aviation career began in 1932. He was manag-ing director of the original British Airways and, when it merged with Imperial Airways to become the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), became Director-General of the airline. He also played a major role in interna-tional organizations. Marriott, J. Willard (1900–1985) US hotelier and caterer, founder of Marriott 227 ... - tailieumienphi.vn