FACE-2FACE: Sanjay Basu

CHAIRMAN of Indian river cruise operator Adventure Resorts & Cruises.

1. What motivates you in your career?

I was a mountaineer and a lover of nature and during my explorations I realised that India with its great natural landscapes was a great destination for adventure. So this motivated me to develop our eco-lodges and cruises.

2. Most common assumption people make about your job?

People naturally believe that it is a lot of luxury and holidaying.

3. What is the key to building great relationships with agents?

Reliability, transparency, honesty and being able to project the great experiences for the travel agents to realise the value of them. And, naturally, sending our cruise guests back raving about their experiences to their travel agents helps build relationships.

4. Biggest challenge facing the industry?

We are a relatively new destination and the first challenge is, essentially, to let the potential travellers know about the great experiences awaiting them on our cruises.

5. Advice for up-and-comers?

Hard work, innovation, risk taking, perseverance, quality, creativity and value – all mixed together as a cocktail - makes for a successful business. Get to know the rivers and waterways in India. It’s a great, untapped destination for the cruise industry.

6. What was your best fam?

I have rarely taken a fam elsewhere but of the few I have taken, both the Danube and Irrawaddy Rivers were very enjoyable.

7. My next cruise will be…

On the Ganges River from Kolkata to Varanasi, which is the most ancient living city on Earth.

8. Favourite cruise destination?

Sailing down the Brahmaputra River into the sunset, with the moon rising, dolphins swimming around, storks flying above and the Himalayas soaring in the distance.

9. Celebrity you’d like to cruise with?

Angelina Jolie.

10. Favourite thing to do in port?

Safaris.

11. When not at work, how do you enjoy spending your me?

Reading.