The Holiday That Changed Everything | Remembering Martin Gannon

An Englishman in the Balkans is a weekly podcast about the people, places and everyday life of Bosnia and Herzegovina, told by David Bailey, who has lived here for more than 25 years. New episodes arrive every Tuesday.

Some podcast conversations become more meaningful with the passing of time.

When I originally recorded this interview with Martin Gannon, it was simply a thoroughly enjoyable conversation with another Englishman who had fallen deeply in love with this part of the world.

Martin first arrived in Yugoslavia in 1980 after the holiday he had planned to Mallorca was fully booked. A travel agent suggested Yugoslavia instead, and that seemingly small change of destination altered the course of his life.

A chance encounter during the holiday led to a job with Saga. From there, Martin built a remarkable career in tourism, working in Poreč, Rovinj, Hvar, Zagreb, Belgrade, Mostar and many other places across the former Yugoslavia.

He led coach tours, worked with JAT Yugoslav Airlines and helped bring thousands of British visitors to the region, including pilgrims travelling through Mostar Airport to Međugorje.

Martin later became more than a podcast guest. He became my friend.

After recording this conversation, we eventually met for a long lunch in Zagreb. There was laughter, good food and an apparently endless supply of stories from Martin’s life and travels.

After Martin died, I found it difficult to listen to the recording again. When I eventually returned to it, I realised that his warmth, humour and memories deserved to be heard once more.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How a cancelled holiday to Mallorca led Martin to Yugoslavia
• British tourism on the Adriatic during the 1980s
• Working with Saga and JAT Yugoslav Airlines
• Bringing British pilgrims to Međugorje
• Life on Hvar and his family’s connection to the island
• The food, people and places Martin never stopped loving
• Bosnia and Herzegovina’s largely untapped tourism potential
• Why the Balkans can become part of you forever

This is more than an interview from the archive. It is my tribute to Martin Gannon: traveller, tourism professional, storyteller and friend.

Thanks for listening. If this episode was worth your time, the best thing you can do is pass it on to someone who'd enjoy it.

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