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Only 2 Seats Left: The Incredible Contiki Story
In 1962 a young New Zealander left home for a one year trip to Europe. He returned some 20 years later with a wife, four children and the internationally renowned tour company - Contiki Holidays.Written by the founder of Contiki, Only Two Seats Left is the incredible story of how a simple idea with a starting capital of just 25 pounds became a worldwide travel company with an internationally recognised iconic' brand name. To date over two million young people have had the Contiki Challenge.Only Two Seats Left is one of Australasia's great untold business success stories. A touching blend of autobiography, business insight and travel tale all rolled into one book readers won't want to put down.Discover the raw realities of John's journey of difficulties, failures and his most valuable secrets to successful entrepreneurship.In this altogether inspiring narrative, Only Two Seats Left encompasses entrepreneurship, leadership, risk taking, team work, branding, competition and surviving tough times John's personal journey creates a thoroughly entertaining read for anyone who's ever dreamt of taking a risk with that first bold step to venture into the unknown.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
21 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
John Anderson
1 bookThere is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads' database
John Duncan Anderson was a New Zealand businessman, author and speaker. He was the founder of the travel and leisure company Contiki Tours.
John Duncan Anderson was a New Zealand businessman, author and speaker. He was the founder of the travel and leisure company Contiki Tours.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 8, 2017
Initially I mistook this for a travel book, or a book about a travel company. It is, but it is far more about business, entrepreneurship, ambition and achieving success, and of course, it is also a biography.
Not many people wouldn't have heard of Contiki. It is probably one of the 2 or 3 biggest brand names in travel. From the humble beginnings of a kiwi guy in London without enough money to travel to Europe, it grew into an iconic multi-million dollar travel company.
John Anderson was the founder. In 1962, he bought a Commer van, fitted it out with a roof rack, bought the tents and camping equipment, and set off for Europe with eleven paying passengers on a 12 week, 15 country tour. On his return to London, he turned around and did it again, with another group.
The following year he did the same thing, and from there, he got bigger.
This book comes across at pretty honest. I don't get the impression John Anderson left much out, and he didn't hide behind anything. He talks about risks and reward. He talks about the many mistakes he, and others, made along the way, but more importantly he shows that anything is possible. He divulges some of the business tactics that Contiki used - probably not considered very about board now, but also has a pretty neutral view of the tactics used by his copycat competitors against him.
In its heyday, Contiki was unbelievably large, with fingers in so many businesses that were not publicly visible. They had set up side by side companies to compete with themselves in slightly different markets, they owned (if not totally, a share in) camping grounds, hotels, resorts, adventure sports companies, a thermal reserve, a floatplane company, a harbour cruise company and of course were running literally hundreds of tour coaches in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Contiki are still an industry leader, although John Anderson is no longer involved. The Contiki experience didn't end the way he might have thought, but I won't spoil that for readers. It was a sad and ignoble sort of end for the man who was for so long the visionary, and the driving force behind the company.
A very easy read. A well constructed narrative, the story is well told and fast paced.
4 stars - great read for inspiration and lessons learned.
Not many people wouldn't have heard of Contiki. It is probably one of the 2 or 3 biggest brand names in travel. From the humble beginnings of a kiwi guy in London without enough money to travel to Europe, it grew into an iconic multi-million dollar travel company.
John Anderson was the founder. In 1962, he bought a Commer van, fitted it out with a roof rack, bought the tents and camping equipment, and set off for Europe with eleven paying passengers on a 12 week, 15 country tour. On his return to London, he turned around and did it again, with another group.
The following year he did the same thing, and from there, he got bigger.
This book comes across at pretty honest. I don't get the impression John Anderson left much out, and he didn't hide behind anything. He talks about risks and reward. He talks about the many mistakes he, and others, made along the way, but more importantly he shows that anything is possible. He divulges some of the business tactics that Contiki used - probably not considered very about board now, but also has a pretty neutral view of the tactics used by his copycat competitors against him.
In its heyday, Contiki was unbelievably large, with fingers in so many businesses that were not publicly visible. They had set up side by side companies to compete with themselves in slightly different markets, they owned (if not totally, a share in) camping grounds, hotels, resorts, adventure sports companies, a thermal reserve, a floatplane company, a harbour cruise company and of course were running literally hundreds of tour coaches in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Contiki are still an industry leader, although John Anderson is no longer involved. The Contiki experience didn't end the way he might have thought, but I won't spoil that for readers. It was a sad and ignoble sort of end for the man who was for so long the visionary, and the driving force behind the company.
A very easy read. A well constructed narrative, the story is well told and fast paced.
4 stars - great read for inspiration and lessons learned.
February 14, 2025
Lots of twists and turns coming to an unexpected ending. lol
June 10, 2022
Really enjoyed the travel aspect of this book but the discussion of business and business strategy was just not for me. Some really interesting history of a fantastic company!
June 24, 2015
A really good, easy read.
I didn't plan on reading this necessarily but because it was free, and we're planning on a month long trip to Europe anyway, I picked it up.
Some great insight into Contiki. It's also a good marketing tool. I found myself wavering in my preference (so far) for Topdeck. So tempted!
A couple of things though. Describing one particular group as the 'rape and pillage' team really annoyed me.
The number of grammar and spelling mistakes increased in the second half - East Tamaki was misspelled for instance.
And what is a programmeme?
I didn't plan on reading this necessarily but because it was free, and we're planning on a month long trip to Europe anyway, I picked it up.
Some great insight into Contiki. It's also a good marketing tool. I found myself wavering in my preference (so far) for Topdeck. So tempted!
A couple of things though. Describing one particular group as the 'rape and pillage' team really annoyed me.
The number of grammar and spelling mistakes increased in the second half - East Tamaki was misspelled for instance.
And what is a programmeme?
March 23, 2014
Way back in the 1970s and 1980s doing a ConTiki trip through Europe was almost a rite of passage for every young NZer or Australian going on their OE. This was what you did first - hot off the plane, and onto a big bus. How else were you supposed to meet new people, do new things, go to new places? I would regularly slope into travel agents' around the city and make off with numerous brochures advertising these coach tours for 18-35s, and ConTiki was the one that always looked the most exciting, the most fun, the coolest one to be doing.
This book is the story of the roller coaster ride that is the ConTiki story, told from beginning to end by John Anderson, the young NZer who in 1962 sailed away from NZ shores to England. A few months later, looking for a way to trip around Europe with like minded individuals, and 25 pounds in his pocket he did just that. Beginning with a combi van that seemed to be barely held together and 11 brave young souls, John, blessed it would seem with the gift of the gab, proceeded to take this group of unknowns on a tour of Europe. Epic. And from that one 'done on the smell of an oily rag' trip, John knew he was onto a winner. He became unstoppable in his dreams and his plans to take over the world in coach tour holidays for the young. Naturally there were hurdles - some managed well, and others not so well. And that is what this book is all about.
This warts and all tale is travelogue, entrepreneurial handbook, motivational guide, autobiography, business textbook all rolled into one. And it is a highly entertaining and interesting read. The author is very open and candid about the development of the business, the personalities involved, his aspirations, the successes and failures. The staff and the passengers, naturally, provide the best stories, and there are some beauties in here. John Anderson is a legend, and I really hope he gets onto organising some of those tours he mentions for all of us who will never be between 18-35 again! ConTiki is now one of 24 travel/holiday related businesses owned by Travel Corporation. And its brochures look wonderfully similar to those of 30 plus years ago. Long may they reign.
This book is the story of the roller coaster ride that is the ConTiki story, told from beginning to end by John Anderson, the young NZer who in 1962 sailed away from NZ shores to England. A few months later, looking for a way to trip around Europe with like minded individuals, and 25 pounds in his pocket he did just that. Beginning with a combi van that seemed to be barely held together and 11 brave young souls, John, blessed it would seem with the gift of the gab, proceeded to take this group of unknowns on a tour of Europe. Epic. And from that one 'done on the smell of an oily rag' trip, John knew he was onto a winner. He became unstoppable in his dreams and his plans to take over the world in coach tour holidays for the young. Naturally there were hurdles - some managed well, and others not so well. And that is what this book is all about.
This warts and all tale is travelogue, entrepreneurial handbook, motivational guide, autobiography, business textbook all rolled into one. And it is a highly entertaining and interesting read. The author is very open and candid about the development of the business, the personalities involved, his aspirations, the successes and failures. The staff and the passengers, naturally, provide the best stories, and there are some beauties in here. John Anderson is a legend, and I really hope he gets onto organising some of those tours he mentions for all of us who will never be between 18-35 again! ConTiki is now one of 24 travel/holiday related businesses owned by Travel Corporation. And its brochures look wonderfully similar to those of 30 plus years ago. Long may they reign.
August 5, 2022
If you've ever traveled on a Contiki tour (or not) this maybe interesting to you. Written by the Kiwi, John Anderson who founded the iconic brand in 1962. This is his story of how he come about starting the company, its growth and progression. A biography/business book.
July 5, 2011
I really enjoyed this book, there are lots of interesting lessons that the author has learned and the book was written in a conversational tone that was easy to read. I found the book inspiring, entertaining and sad. My favorite lesson that was repeated several times was to try and focus on a core area and market, don't try to do everything.
November 4, 2013
Very interesting story about the rise, fall and rise of a business and its founder. The author is speaking at our company function in a week and I wanted to read his story. It is fascinating, interesting and very honest. There is a lot to be learned from John's story.
October 1, 2024
As someone interested in both travel and entrepreneurship, and as someone whose life was changed by my first Contiki trip, I really enjoyed this. It's more honest than many business memoirs, Anderson is honest about getting mad at competitors for their tactics but then using such tactics himself (some people will hate that, but I think that failing to be honest about what it takes to succeed in our often cutthroat world actually hurts people with more scruples than average) and about the fact that SPOILER he ended up losing his fortune (some people will hate that too, but I think that failing to be honest about how hard work doesn't always pay off, at least in dollar terms, hurts people who are more trusting than average).
This book isn't for people who just want to read a fun travel memoir, but for those interested in what it takes to build a business (in practical ways, but also in terms of character and mindset), it's gold.
This book isn't for people who just want to read a fun travel memoir, but for those interested in what it takes to build a business (in practical ways, but also in terms of character and mindset), it's gold.
December 12, 2024
3.5 stars
A really fascinating read finding out how our beloved Contiki started out, a true entrepreneur, kiwi style. I loved the stories of success, hard work, passion and drive.
It dragged a little in the middle where the company grew and grew and bought up other companies and was then shocked (and saddened) with how it ended for John and how he was treated when he sounded like an incredible boss who treated his staff like family.
At least Contiki continued his brand that he so carefully cultivated, what a legacy.
A really fascinating read finding out how our beloved Contiki started out, a true entrepreneur, kiwi style. I loved the stories of success, hard work, passion and drive.
It dragged a little in the middle where the company grew and grew and bought up other companies and was then shocked (and saddened) with how it ended for John and how he was treated when he sounded like an incredible boss who treated his staff like family.
At least Contiki continued his brand that he so carefully cultivated, what a legacy.
May 24, 2018
Not so polished, but an enjoyable and easy read. The author’s pride and enthusiasm for what he built shines through. Must’ve been very hard to write about how it all came undone financially for him and his family (but not the brand). An interesting story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2023
This is a great read for anyone who has been on a Contiki Tour, starting in the travel business or just interested in the journey of a 1960s start-up to an international company. A light and easy read but time well spent.
December 14, 2017
As the owner of a small tour business, I loved reading about the early Contiki days, it was all so familiar. Not so much later, when they got big. A fascinating read.
February 10, 2018
I found this book to be very dull and full of trivial detail. I didn't enjoy it and would not be able to recommend it.
February 28, 2018
Starts off excitingly as we get talked through the start of the company but I found it really dragged on in the second half.
October 29, 2021
Had to read this for school. Was interesting
February 23, 2023
Was expecting more of a travel memoir rather than a business memoir, but still an interesting read.
January 25, 2024
Makes me want to do contiki or travel
March 27, 2024
Interesting read for the origns of Contiki and that era of travel.
August 26, 2012
An honest story of entrepeneurially grwoing a large company, sharing insights of what worked and what didnt. He tells the story well on the speaking circuit as well. Inspiring!
January 2, 2013
Inspiring tale for so many reasons! Really enjoyed this read, well written and easy to enjoy.
August 28, 2013
Really good biography of contiki. Didn't like how it skipped over alot of details. But the story was really interesting
February 14, 2014
Having worked for Contiki and met John for myself I felt compelled to read his story. Great book about the beginnings of a great company.
August 4, 2014
Interesting, light read for a factual book
February 3, 2015
Very interesting and informative -a must read for anyone who has done a Contiki tour.
March 29, 2015
What a amazing story! Was very interesting and while reading felt like I was sitting with John, throwing back a few beers while he told the story of Contiki.
April 7, 2021
A thoroughly enjoyable autobiography behind the man who's company single-handedly changed my life. Thanks John, for opening my eyes to adventure and for the chance for me to meet my husband.
:-)
:-)
February 1, 2013
Fantastic book!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews