WHEN searching online for holidays to faraway sun-kissed shores, most people find excitement in what they discover.

Matt Parks, however, unearthed a new career path.

The former cabin crew worker grew so tired of using numerous price comparison sites, he decided to set up his own venture to make getting away an easier task.

Establishing 1Plus2Travel, in 2013, Mr Parks, who lives in Peterlee, east Durham, had a simple premise: make price comparison simple.

The vision incorporates companies into one website, providing a flights and hotel search format that removes the need to navigate back and forth between different internet pages.

It’s worked out handsomely.

The site has more than two million users a month, with one-and-a-half million coming from the US.

To complement its US growth, Mr Parks’ business partner and chief development officer, Alexander Rahe, operates out of a Miami office, using his familiarity with the country’s market to 1Plus2Travel’s advantage.

The 28-year-old chief executive said: “When you’re younger, some people dream of being a pilot, but I was always a steward, planning the airlines and where we were going to go.

“I love to travel; its all about going somewhere new and meeting different people along the way.

“I regularly used different sites to plan my trips but I’d have one tab open to search for flights and open for the hotels and I got to the point where I thought ‘why hasn’t anyone put them together in one search?’

“I started the company back in 2013 and launched the website the following year.

“I’ve always had an interest in business and travel and it was a case of now or never and I’ve given it my all.

“We have an office in Newcastle and one in Miami, and the size of the market in the US has helped us grow.”

The radiotherapy and oncology graduate, whose studies were helped by time at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, said he wants his business to help travellers find their perfect match, while opening up new routes for holidaymakers less familiar with using the internet to get a deal.

Mr Parks, who also spent time as a secondary school science teacher during his company’s inception, added: “The aim is to allow people to search for hundreds of destinations in seconds.

“It saves time and they can see who is going to be cheaper.

“It’s also helpful for people who are not familiar with checking online; it makes it easier for them because it is a one-stop shop.”

Five minutes with...Matt Parks

Favourite North-East building and why? As a keen traveller, it has to be the terminal building at Newcastle Airport. Whenever I see it I know I'm taking off somewhere. That never fails to give me a buzz.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? Delivering the Basildon Echo after school back in the early 2000s. For walking the streets each evening, in all weathers, I think I was paid the princely sum of about £30 a week.

What is the worst job you've had? When I turned 18, I spent a short amount of time travelling and working in Australia. During this period I took a job for a large energy company, though they neglected to tell me this was selling their electricity door-to-door. I was terrible at it and hated every second. I only lasted the full day because I had no idea where they’d dropped me off and needed to get back into Sydney.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? If I was going to cook myself then I’d be very boring and make a lasagne, however, what’s far more likely is that I’d buy something super tasty from a nice supermarket and unashamedly pass it off as my own.

What would your superpower be? Being as nosey as I am this would have to be the ability to become invisible. There are so many secrets of the world I’d love answers to.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party: This would be brilliant and I am sure that Barack Obama, Enrique Iglesias, Joanna Lumley and Jesus would make for very diverse dinner conversation. Again this would probably have to be an evening where I pass of much better food as my own as who wouldn’t want to impress these people.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much? I very rarely buy any expensive material goods, my true vice is travel and I have spent more than I care to remember on experiencing different destinations and holidays. To me there’s nothing better than visiting somewhere new and making great friends along the way. In fact, some of my best friends are people I have met on my travels.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? I’m ashamed to say I don't have a personal Twitter account but on Facebook I love to follow George Takei’s updates. They are fascinating and I love how he is unafraid to stand up for what he believes in.

Favourite book? I have only read about five books cover to cover, so am probably not the best person to judge this. However, The Girl on The Train, by Paula Hawkins, is well worth a read.

When did you last cry? Good question, though very deep. I have been single since January so unfortunately tears were definitely involved in that.

What is your greatest achievement? To be honest I think my greatest achievement is simply not giving up. Back at the start of the 1Plus2Travel journey developing our product and then finding ways to compete with the huge marketing budgets of the big travel brands was certainly a huge struggle and one that tested my creativity to the max. I am so proud of how far we have come though, attracting more than two million monthly users just two years after our launch.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? It’s all about the right attitude, if you have that then you can take over the world.

Favourite animal and why? Dogs. I know they are animals we see every day but I think they really complete a home and have the ability to lift your mood however bad you day might have been.

Most famous person on your mobile phone? Unfortunately I do not have any famous people on speed dial, though if anyone has Leonardo Di Caprio’s number then do send it to me.

What was the last band you saw live? Rather embarrassingly I don’t tend to see a lot of live music so I think the answer to this will be Britney Spears, though that was a few years ago now. I did, however, see some fantastic bands on a cruise I took in February if that counts?

Describe your perfect night in: This has to involve great food, close friends and a music concert on YouTube in the background while we put the world to rights over copious amounts of wine.

In another life I would be... President of the United States.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Chris Pine.

What irritates you? When people treat people differently depending on the job they do or where they are from. I am a huge believer in treating the cleaner with as much respect as the chief executive.

What's your secret talent? I have the ability to convince a two-year-old that I can steal their nose using only one hand. Try beating that!