Jean-Marc Ettori, a lifetime of thinking differently about Corsica

Jean-Marc Ettori, una vita a pinsà a Corsica altrimenti

Visionary, tireless and deeply attached to Corsica, Jean-Marc Ettori is one of the pillars of the Corsicatours adventure. Heir to a strong family history, he has succeeded in transforming a travel agency into a benchmark tour operator, capable of anticipating changes in the sector without ever losing sight of what's essential: people and the land.

A self-confessed orchestra conductor, he ensures that the machine moves forward every day, without ever falling asleep. At over 70 years of age, his energy is intact, his ideas are rife and curiosity remains his main driving force. He gave us a few minutes to talk about his career, his vision of the profession and his very own way of helping people discover Corsica.

One thing is certain: with Jean-Marc Ettori, the Corsicatours adventure continues to be written in the present, without ever ceasing to look ahead.

The Corsicatours pilot

• Can you tell me a little about your current role at Corsicatours? I'm here to act as station manager. Every day, I make sure that the train doesn't go off the rails and that everything runs smoothly.
• How would you describe your day-to-day work? I try to make sure that no two days are alike, otherwise I think I'd get bored. I'm always looking for something different to do the day before.
• How did your career path lead you to Corsicatours? It was my parents who first set up the Corsicatours travel agency. Then, in 1992, the Italian lira was devalued at a time when 80% of Corsican tourism was Italian. Corsica suffered greatly as a result. It was essential for the tourism sector to react. The idea of creating a tour operator then came to me, to help French tourists discover Corsica.
• What drives you most in your work today? When I was younger, I was a bit absent-minded and got into mischief, but when my father died, I had to find the path of wisdom and become a bit more serious. Since then, I've always been driven by the same desire to win every game in life, economically or otherwise, which is sometimes exhausting.

The driving force behind the team

• What role do you see the team playing in Corsicatours' success? The team has a central role, I'd even say it's the most important. You can be very strong individually, but if you don't surround yourself with competent, willing people, it's pointless. There has to be a real exchange between me and the team.
• What traits best define a company's internal culture? My maxim is: "A present without risk is a future without a future". I feel I give the team a lot of freedom, even though I keep an eye on everything. Sometimes I'd like to see more suggestions from all sides, or be told every day that this or that needs changing. It's very challenging for me, because all proposals are always considered.
• What projects or developments are you most excited about for the coming years? I should have retired a few years ago, but the current projects are very exciting. We're at a turning point in the travel industry. Habits are changing and new technologies are making their appearance, especially AI. It's exciting, but we don't yet know how far it will take us.
• How do you see the company evolving in a context where travelers are increasingly looking for authenticity and personalization? Corsica is the ideal model for travelers looking for authenticity and personalization, and we're always on the lookout to offer this type of experience to our customers.
• If you had to define your work in three words, what would they be? I'd say: recklessness, sacrifice and realism. But three words are not enough to sum up a life.

The unfiltered leader

• What's your first instinct in the morning: coffee, e-mails or contemplating the sunrise? I don't do any of those things. The first thing I do in the morning is look at all the newspapers, first on paper, then on TV. Then I have breakfast.
• Do you have an office "ritual" that nobody knows about (yet)? My office isn't very tidy. If it were, I'd be worried. That's why my desk is 10 centimetres thick: it can be loaded without breaking!
• What's the little habit that makes your team smile? You'd have to ask Stella, my assistant! But I think I'm a bit partial to boxes of chocolates. I eat them straight away so I'm not tempted the next day.
• If your role at Corsicatours were a fictional character, which one would you play? I'd be Buddha, for his tranquility.
• Which character trait saves you most often... and which one betrays you? The character trait that saves me is my optimism, the one that betrays me is my realism. They're complete opposites.
• Do you prefer figatellu or mature Corsican cheese? I'm a vegetarian, so cheese, even if I sometimes wish I were vegan.
• What do you think is the best way to introduce people to Corsica? To get there!

The passionate man

• A place in Corsica where you like to disappear (at least for a few hours)? Without hesitation, at the top of Monte Cinto, with its breathtaking 360° view of Corsica.
• If you had a day without any meetings, what would you do first? I'd be bored.
• Is there anything you'd like to add that we haven't covered yet? I often ask myself the question "what would I do in another life? I think the answer is that I'd be in the same place, but not doing the same stupid things.
• Do you have any special message for the team? I have great confidence in my team. We move forward together every day, they more than me.