Career in focus | Justin Montgomery

with Justin Montgomery, Head of Commercial Amadeus IT Pacific 

1. What does your role involve and how long have you been in your current position?

I joined Amadeus in January and my role is to grow Amadeus’s distribution business across South West Pacific, this includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. I look after the commercial functions including sales and marketing and my goal is to deliver the best possible content and solutions to travel agencies and TMCs.

2. How did you start out in your career? Were you always destined to work in the travel industry?

I was involved in the hospitality industry from a very young age through my father’s business and I decided early on that hospitality and travel was something I enjoyed.

I started my career with World Travel Headquarters in their mail room! After a couple of months, I decided that it wasn’t for me. Luckily the mail room wasn’t the end of my travel career and I then got a job with Australian Airlines (which merged with Qantas in 1992). I worked across Qantas for many years before moving into the wholesale sector.

3. Did you complete formal qualifications, and do you think they are important?

I started in a retail travel agency and worked daytime while studying in the evenings to get formal qualifications.

I have undertaken various courses relevant to personal development throughout my career. These include residential courses at the University of NSW and courses with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Qualifications are important to gain theoretical foundations, but they need to be supported with practical learning on the job. There’s no better way to hone your trade than by actually doing it!

4. What do you love about your job?

I love how dynamic travel is and how it continues to evolve. In all my roles, I’ve been able to work with great people, travel to amazing places while learning new skills. Ongoing learning is essential especially as technology now drives every aspect of the travel sector.

5. What were some of the greatest challenges you’ve had in your career?

I have been fortunate to be able to work with some great companies. One of my most defining challenges was the joint venture startup of Contiki Resorts. It was a vision that I had to bring to life. We started from scratch including reservation systems, staff hires, marketing, branding, distribution and stakeholder management (including state and federal governments). We developed the product, renovated the resort and started chartering two 737’s for weekly flights in five months. It was challenging but all ready to go when the first guest arrived!

6. What factors were central to your success?

With Contiki Resorts it was about building an experienced team that was culturally aligned. Our team had to be adaptable to ensure we hit opening date. One of the most critical factors was ongoing stakeholder engagement with the resort owners and the new board of directors.

7. Did you have a mentor, and if so, how did you find them?

I haven’t had a mentor as such, but have had numerous discussions with many great leaders in various industries throughout my career. I like to observe and adopt styles and behaviours of those professionals that I admire.

8. What are the keys to good business?

I have four guiding principles: know your customers, know your competitors, identify change within the industry, and continue to adapt your business model to meet the change. It is also critical to look after your team well so they will continue to look after your customers.

9. What advice would you give to others in the industry who would like to follow in your footsteps?

It is important to understand what you want to get out of a role. Be prepared to take steps to learn new skills, as new skills open up new opportunities.