Phil Dumbelton - Project Manager

Phil Dumbelton – RBS 6 Nations & IRB Sevens Series Project Manager

The appetite for travel has always been in my blood and things started to get interesting when I took off for a year’s backpacking around Australia and the Far East back in 1990. It was one of the best things I have ever done and it couldn’t have been more fun. I met some fantastic people, went to some great places and generally had a blast. 

After that, there was no stopping me! Since then I’ve legged it around various parts of the world and have had all manner of experiences – mostly good I’m pleased to report. I love the excitement and anticipation of taking off into the wide blue yonder and of course once I’m there enjoy it even more.

I’ve been at Gullivers for almost 12 years and currently organise and manage our RBS 6 Nations and Dubai Sevens tour programmes. During my career at Gullivers I have worked on outbound cricket supporters tours and was involved in Hong Kong Sevens, Rugby World Cups and ICC Cricket World Cups. I also spent eight months working at Williment Travel, our counterpart in New Zealand during the build-up to the 2005 Lions Tour.

Working here has given me the opportunity to spread my wings further and travel to places I would not have necessarily gone to, Pakistan being a good example, which was for England’s Cricket Tour in 2000. And combining these trips with sport only adds to the interest and excitement - it has to be said that nothing quite compares to a Lions Tour.

Outside of work my sporting passion is Formula One. I’ve seen my all time hero Michael Schumacher win several times and also did a pilgrimage to the Ferrari team headquarters at Maranello (although they wouldn’t let me in). I once infiltrated the Paddock at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and got myself into the Ferrari motorhome which was no mean feat.

The best sporting moments for me include watching England v Argentina, FIFA World Cup 1998 - we didn’t win but what a rollercoaster of a match; watching England beat Australia, Rugby World Cup 2007 and Michael Schumacher winning the Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari on home turf at Monza.

My favourite places are the Maldives for complete and incomparable paradise, New Zealand (South Island) for breathtaking scenery and Paris - one of the great cities of the world and practically on our doorstep. 

Events

Countries Visited
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Maldives, Cook Islands, USA, West Indies, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Czech & Slovak Republics, Hungary, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Ireland

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