In memory of an industry great
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Last week’s Arabian Travel Market brought together the region’s wonderfully diverse and dynamic travel community, all under one roof. It was a time to not only conduct business but perhaps more importantly, catch up with good friends.However, there was one very special person missing at the 2011 show and his absence weighed heavy on the hearts and minds of many, including myself.Hans Haensel, the divisional senior vice president for Emirates’ destination and leisure management division, passed away on Sunday evening (May 1), on the eve of the show.He had been ill for some time but had been stoically optimistic that he could beat his battle with cancer such was his lust for life.Hans, who joined the Emirates group more than 20 years ago, was also fiercely passionate about the travel industry and close friends of his say that even on the morning of his death, he was chatting enthusiastically about the Emirates Holidays brochure launch, which had taken place just a few days before.Emirates president Tim Clark, who was as much a friend to Hans as he was a colleague and boss, has talked of his “immeasurable” contributions towards building the company’s leisure division.In his tribute to Hans, he called him a “stalwart in the global leisure industry whose foresight and pioneering spirit towards the development of tourism in Dubai is the rich legacy he leaves behind”.”We at Emirates profoundly feel his loss,” he said.The sentiments of Tim and Emirates are being echoed by travel professionals – and the travel media – region wide.In the last week he has been remembered fondly as “a true gentleman”, “one of the industry’s best”, “a dear friend” and so much more.What I will never forget about Hans is that he made time for people. He would welcome me into his office for a “quick” interview and two hours later we’d still be chatting about the industry and life in general.After I left Dubai to return to England to have a baby, Hans made sure he stayed in touch. I didn’t expect it, but he took the time and when my beautiful daughter was born last year, he was one of the first to congratulate my husband and I. He became a friend.Hans also had a good sense of humour.On one occasion he posed for a photograph for my magazine wearing a Mozart mask as part of a Vienna promotion, and on another, he revealed to me that when he was a young boy, his ambition was to be a postman because he liked the TV programme Postman Pat.Hans touched the lives of many and I feel privileged to have known him. I just wish it had been for longer.But I rest assured that the team at Emirates will continue his legacy and make Hans proud.
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