UPFRONT
APRIL 2020 businesstraveller.com
AIR
MILES
MARK SPIERS is vice-
president, training, sales and
field services at PADI Europe,
Middle East and Africa.MOST REWARDING
TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?
I’ve been privileged to interact
with people on a local level. It
reinforces to me that people
are fundamentally the same,
regardless of their nationality
or beliefs.MOST CHALLENGING
EXPERIENCE ABROAD?
The Indian Ocean tsunami in
2004 when I lived in Thailand.DEEPEST DIVE?
Around 72 metres – it required
specialised technical training
and planning ; it’s beyond
recreational scuba limits. Some
of the best diving is within
20 metres of the surface.FAVOURITE DIVING
DESTINATION?
I love the Maldives. Last time I
was there I was lucky enough
to dive with whale sharks.ANY IN THE UK?
St Abbs near Edinburgh is still
one of my favourite spots, with
its many soft corals. Cathedral
Rock is striking underwater
when the sun shines through it.WHICH DIVE HAS LEFT A
LASTING IMPRESSION?
I was doing my first night dive
in Anglesey and, as I shone my
torch around, I spotted a
dogfish, then another and
another. Hundreds were just
sitting stationary in the water.MOST UNUSUAL THING
YOU‘VE SEEN ON A DIVE?
An underwater statue of
Christ of the Abyss at
Portofino Marine Park in Italy.IS IT DIFFICULT TO
TRAVEL WITH DIVING
EQUIPMENT?
Yes it can be, but PADI Dive
Centres and Resorts all have
equipment to rent. Airlines
could help by extending the
allowance, just as they do for
other sports, such as golf.HOW DO YOU SETTLE
BACK INTO REALITY?
The weightlessness that you
experience underwater is very
relaxing. Then there are really
exciting high-energ y dives.
The best way I’ve found to
deal with this is to plan
another trip straight away!DREAM DESTINATION?
The Galapagos. It’s such a
unique destination with so
many unusual species of
marine life to see.INDISPENSABLE TRAVEL
GADGET?
Twelve South’s AirFly Pro
[wireless headphone adapter]
to connect my AirPods to
any IFE system. It’s especially
useful when flying.IFE PICK?
Amazon’s Kindle. I’m never
short of a new book to read.
Visit businesstraveller.com for
the full interview.AUSTRALIA’S QANTAS has become the
latest airline to partner with luggage
delivery firm Airportr for all of its flights
departing Heathrow. The London-based
company allows travellers to have their
luggage collected from their home, office
or hotel at a time of their choosing and
checked in at the airport for them. It
costs £30 for one to three bags, £40 for
four bags, or £50 for five. Prices rise for
collection outside of London and the
service is limited to certain postcodes.QANTAS ADDS
AIRPORTR SERVICE
Serviced apartment brand
Stay makes London debut
CO-WORKING SPACE COMPANY LABS COLLECTIVE has
launched its serviced apartment brand Stay in London. Its new
Camden property has 169 one-, two- and three-bed apartments, each
with living rooms and fully-fitted kitchens. The apartments, which
have a minimum four-night stay, start from 55 sqm and some have
balconies with views over the city. They are accessed via a dedicated
lobby in Hawley Wharf, a mixed-use development. Existing Stay
properties are located in Barcelona and Madrid. stay.com