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Go first class every time

Since April 2009, Ghosh has been responsible for business development and marketing for Priority Pass and other products of the UK-based Collinson Group. Within the Middle East, new lounges are now available to members in Al-Fursan Golden Lounges, Jeddah and Riyadh, Dana Lounge, Abu Dhabi and in Muscat, Plaza Premium Lounge. There are now 26 lounges available to Priority Pass members in the Middle East — the largest independent coverage of airport VIP lounges in the Middle East — as well as over 600 throughout the rest of the world.

Priority Pass does not actually operate any lounges — it simply agrees contracts with lounges that already exist to allow access to members when they show their membership card.

But what makes Priority Pass unique is that it has the biggest selection of lounges for members to use throughout the world and any lounge can be used regardless of the airline the member is flying or the class of travel. Simply showing the Priority Pass membership card is enough.

What’s the most important thing for a traveller about using airport lounges is the opportunity to relax in peace and quiet and to have some refreshments before a flight.

Although many lounges provide excellent business facilities, here members are more likely to read and watch TV than to work — although it is useful to be able to work if necessary.

“Some people do like to do other things, however; in a member survey when we asked what else they did in the lounges, we had some who used the opportunity to practice yoga and others who take advantage of the chance to pray before a flight,” he adds.

Born on May 18, 1978, Ghosh completed his Bachelor in Commerce from Calcutta University in 2000, and completed his post graduation in Integrated Marketing Communication Management at MICA, Ahmedabad.

Starting his career as a brand manager with white cement manufacturer, Grasim Industries, in India, he then moved to business development with CNBC TV18 and was a part of their new channel launch. At ICICI Bank and over four years took on multiple roles in sales, marketing and product management. He specialised in retail banking mainly in the credit card domain. However, in 2008 he moved to Dubai and joined ABN AMRO and was AVP- product development and portfolio for their credit card department. He finds Dubai an interesting place to “live and work.” “It has a unique blend of making you feel at home while throwing you into a melting pot of cultures. It makes a global citizen out of you,” he says.

“But my most memorable moment till date is the day I finally managed to get my driving license in Dubai and bought my first car here,” he recalls.

Interestingly, an alternate profession for Ghosh would have been the stage. That’s not all he’s also an absolute authority on desserts. “For my friends, I am the ‘Michelin guide’ for desserts in the city,” he smiles.

To relax, there’s nothing like settling down on a Friday morning with a book, coffee (and some desserts of course!) and watch the sea in the distance. What he most likes is, “Walk through old cities in Europe and finding those quaint shops where everything is sold with warmth and care,” he says.

What’s the secret of success? “Don’t take life too seriously. The moment you start enjoying every step, you will realise that things are happening and getting done far more effectively,” he says adding about what makes him successful, “Bet my month’s pay if you can wipe the smile from my face.”

To break the proverbial glass ceiling he says, “Keep your focus. Make each day count. Carpe Diem.”

raziqueh@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE