He'd started Contiki to see Europe, then kept going because it was a way to make money.
"Then subsequently it became the challenge of turning an idea into commercial reality."
But unfortunately his final challenge didn't end so well. Plans to build resorts for young people ended in disaster. Thanks in part to the stockmarket crash, John and his family lost the business, and even their house. The moved home to New Zealand, penniless.
Thankfully, Anderson's resilience and good nature were about to pay off again. He had a job pruning in vineyards, when he got a call asking him to tell his business story at a conference. Intrigued, he went, and was eventually picked up by a speaking agency. He puts it down to his skills as an entrepreneur.
"(We) are dangerous people. We don't have a negative bone in our body, of course we can do it!". That launched his second career as a keynote speaker.
These days, he's been travelling the world once again, this time telling his story to paying audiences. But he's never forgotten the fun he had creating Contiki. And even today, he loves seeing the pleasure people get from something he created. "I get a kick out of it every time!".
If you want to listen to more of the Contiki journey, John Anderson's episode of HP Business Class is here.
