I had the opportunity to see him for the first time in 2005, in my first attendance to the Phocuswright Conference. Until then, working for Mundicolor Iberia, I had attended regularly for years to the typical travel conferences (Fitur, ITB, WTM, Tianguis..). But once at Google, I had the chance to go where online travel was the star and it was like a dream. Philip had orchestrated an impressive forum for those in the travel industry convinced of the importance of online travel. It was an incredible opportunity to get new ideas, to refresh your vision, to listen from top travel leaders which could be the future trends. And his personal touch was unique, in his interviews and his closings.
I can say that I owe to Philip my non-profit project TravelThink, because when I came back to Spain from that first Phocuswright Conference I felt the need to share all those new ideas and trends and help to change the travel industry in Spain and I began to write it. After 16 years I am yet on it and obviously, I should use Travelthink to pay my humble tribute to Philip.
After that first Phocuswright Conference in the USA I have attended every year, and also went to the Conferences held in Berlin, Dublin and Amsterdam, even participating as a talk-backer. I also led from Google an interesting project called Lookinside.travel, where Phocuswright provided their expertise and reliability to develop what was at that time (and still is) the largest research on traveller’s habits. All of that gave me the opportunity to meet Philip many times and have a personal relationship with him and with his brilliant and charming wife.
I have learnt a lot from Philip, who always was willing to share his points of view and give advise. Always with a smile, friendly and attentive. Other virtue of Philip was his capacity to create an amazing team in every project.
We will miss a great travel visionary but especially, a great person. All my condolences to his family.
