10 September 2021

I really don't want to state the obvious, but for many of us it's been a parlous 18 months or so. Some people's suffering has been more grievous than others' – but there can be few who haven't been affected in some way. Nor do I wish to stand accused of self-centredness; but it occurred to me that perhaps my own personal story might serve to encourage those whose industries, like mine, have been particularly hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many strands of the economy have had a tough time of it; but the travel sector has taken an absolute hammering. A bit of background. I've always been into sport (tennis especially), and interested in seeing the world – and in my late teens and early twenties I had an opportunity to combine both passions: running kids' activity clubs in Majorca, the Canary Islands and Madeira during the school summer holidays; then a 20-month sojourn in Australia, working as a tennis coach; followed by two stints in the US as a youth leader and tennis coach with Camp America. Happy days. My trips Stateside fitted in with my university degree course, where I gained a First-Class BA Honours in Physical Education in 2018. I followed that with nine months bouncing around South-East Asia and Australia: an amazing experience, but also valuable thinking time. I reached two conclusions: first, that much as I loved sport I was never going to be the next Andy Murray; second, that I wanted to build a future in the travel industry. I had the travel bug, and it wasn't about to let go. I looked at various entry-level opportunities – but by far and away the most appealing was to build my own travel business. Though I didn't want to go it alone; I wanted the security, expertise and brand recognition of a known and respected name behind me. Travel Counsellors fulfilled the brief. Founded in 1994, Travel Counsellors is a franchised network of travel professionals, headquartered in Manchester with operations in the UK (obviously), Ireland, the UAE, Belgium, South Africa and the Netherlands. There are currently over 1,900 Travel Counsellors, all passionate about travel, with first-hand knowledge based on an average of 22 years in the industry. I became a Travel Counsellors franchisee in October 2019. As a newbie, I followed what TC calls the “academy route”, where “graduation” depends on hitting a specific sales target within a given period. For the first few months I made great strides – until... well, we all know what happened in late March 2020. To say we've had a torrid time of it would be to understate the case somewhat! Enquiries didn't dry up – far from it – but bookings did, as global uncertainty prevailed. Where would Covid strike next? How severe would it be? Would there be an effective vaccine (happily, yes) – and if so, when? How would the virus mutate? Questions, questions. To which answers were sometimes hard to find. But my faith in my original decision, and in the organisation I hitched my wagon to, hasn't wavered. Throughout the pandemic, Travel Counsellors has been unfailingly supportive and encouraging. They haven't panicked – but have exhorted all of us, myself and my colleagues, to just continue giving best advice: based on what we know at the time, and how we might reasonably expect travel restrictions to change in the short, medium and long-term future. And for me, it's paid off. I am happy to report that, having hit my target, I graduated from TC's academy system in April 2021 after my biggest sales month (in the teeth of the pandemic). There's no place for false modesty here – I've worked hard for it: keeping my clients in the loop, calling customers to check in and see how they were faring during lockdown, hosting seminars on Zoom and Facebook, and generally sweating social media left, right and centre. But it also surely proves that people's desire to travel, to see new places and experience new things, has not diminished. Quite the opposite. All they're waiting for is for conditions to be right. So what have I learned over the past year and a half? As a general point, never give up. My industry, and maybe yours too, has been beset by problems – but I've been able to keep my head above water. Like many, when the pandemic was at its height I took a second job – doing supermarket deliveries, in my case – and I'll be forever grateful to Tesco Stores for that. And a loyal customer too, going forward. More specifically, while sales (mine, and others') have suffered, there has never been a greater need for personal travel expertise. None of us can claim to have all the answers – just ask Chris Whitty – but Travel Counsellors customers continually rate us the best travel company in the world for customer service, and for value. Our clients routinely give us a five-star rating on Trustpilot (https://bit.ly/3tvE17w), and Travel Counsellors came top in all three of the MoneySavingExpert (https://bit.ly/3C3uaJf) surveys conducted over the past 18 months. I'm proud to be part of that. I've had to adjust my expectations. Growing a business is challenging - made more so while Covid-19, and its attendant uncertainties, continue to blight us. But I'll get there; and the satisfaction I get from successfully guiding a customer through the ever-changing maze of travel restrictions and conditions is a pleasure and privilege beyond price. Life is a journey, not a destination; so wrote 19th-Century US essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. As for my own journey... well the ride's been a bit bumpy of late – but I wouldn't change a thing. The world remains my oyster and I am excited to explore and see much more of it over time (including what's on my doorstep: the UK, which has shot up in my own personal bucket-list over the past 12 months). And, with my help, it can be your oyster too.

24 November 2019

If you have ever travelled long-haul you will know exactly what I mean when I say the word jet lag. It is something that unfortunately we cannot avoid especially when travelling West to East. However, there are some ways in which you can reduce the severity of jet lag by following these basic tips below! I hope you find them beneficial to your upcoming travels and please drop me a message to let me know which tips worked best for you! Tip No 1- Drink lots of water and limit caffeine and alcohol (sad but true!) Flying can leave you feeling dehydrated. The more hydrated you can stay, the better prepared your body will be to adjust to a different time zone. Tip No 2- Catch some zzz’s wherever and whenever you can, but not for more than 4 hours, and not as soon as you arrive somewhere. The sooner you can adjust to sleeping in sync with your new destination, the quicker your body will sync to the new time zone. A power nap can help keep jet lag at bay, but don’t sleep for more than 3-4 hours. Tip No 3- If you are feeling tired get outside and do some exercise or go for a walk, explore a new city. Natural daylight will help your body adjust to a new routine following most flights. Being exposed to light can help teach the body to feel more awake, and that is why it's a good idea to introduce some light into your room when waking up. Tip No 4- Leave the curtains slightly open to make waking up a little easier. If you can go for a walk for an hour when you wake up in a new destination that will help your body adjust even more. Tip No 5- Try to adjust your time to bed, and wake time a little to the new time zone a few days before you go. Easier said than done with all the last minute packing and preparing to do I know! Easing into your destination's time zone by adjusting your sleep schedule a few days before you arrive will help. Tip No 6- Change your watch as soon as you begin your journey so you start to sync with your new time zone. Tip No 7- Remember travelling is tiring and when people are tired, they become sensitive to things that might not bother them normally. Be kind and patient…it helps everyone. Everyone reacts differently to jet lag, but I hope at least one of these tips above will help you on your next long-haul journey!

13 December 2019

Culture and Useful Money Saving Tips Vietnam is a country that is filled with its rich culture and history. Its culture is one of the oldest in Southeast Asia and despite many changes over the years many elements of the culture remain the same today. Below is a brief insight into some of the elements that exists within this fascinating culture. The Vietnamese people respect their elders: when travelling across Vietnam last year meeting and getting to know lots of Vietnamese people, one common theme emerged. Whether it be in a formal working situation, at dinner time or even during day-to-day life, the elders within each family were respected. This was particularly evident at each of the ‘family dinners’ we attended up and down the country whilst we were exploring various small villages and towns. Dinner would always be served to the elders first; their opinions would carry more weight and their instructions were listened to carefully and respectfully. The War: The Vietnamese War which lasted almost 20 years during the period of 1955-1975 is something that is often talked about when someone mentions the country Vietnam. However, for the locals that live today and their families, the Vietnamese War is a particularly distressing topic to talk about. As many as 2 million civilians were killed and the country destroyed in many vast areas. Avoid any conversations about this topic as it can be very upsetting for the Vietnamese people. (Be sure to visit the war museum in Ho Chi Minh City as it gives you a deep insight into the history of the war and is likely to answer any unanswered questions that you may have). Tipping: There is no tipping culture in Vietnam. Locals here earn very little money and pride themselves in great service for their customers. They love serving and allowing you to try their local dishes but are never out there to get your money. Of course, if you’d like to tip, they would gratefully accept, but they never expect additional monies to what they are owed. Prices are negotiable: Like many Asian destinations, Vietnam is no different when it comes to haggling. Unfortunately, like us all, you too WILL get charged ‘Tourists Prices’. However, you should always haggle wherever possible, but also respect the locals and avoid doing anything that will embarrass or diminish a person in public. TIP: Use your feet as your ammunition. Step 1- Ask a price. Step 2- State how much you are willing to pay. Step 3- Negotiate. Step 4- If you are not happy with the price you walk away (Likelihood is you’ll be back as the vendor would have given in and is willing to reduce their price in order to get a sale). Step 5- Buy and say thank you. Money Saving Tips Eating: As mentioned in my previous blog on Vietnam, eating out is a very affordable way to save your money when travelling around. Utilise the market stalls at every opportunity and indulge in the food that the locals have on offer. Transport: When travelling from one destination to your next, always check the routes available. If the bus is the cheapest route and you are happy doing this, opt for a night bus as it will save you a night’s accommodation! Most hotels across the country will also allow you to check in early too so if you really do struggle to get a good night kip, you can have a nap when you arrive at your destination! Booking in advance: Most of the time in Vietnam and like most of the world, booking ahead of time can save you not only money but time and hassle as well! Be ahead of the game and pre-book your next accommodation and transfer to get the ‘best’ rates and not leave it until the same day to make the booking! Hire Bicycles: In most of the small towns and cities across Vietnam, and providing you stay in central locations, most of the city’s attractions will be within walking/cycling distance. Therefore, always be sure to check in to see if your accommodation offers FREE bicycles before opting to get a taxi to your next attraction! This concludes part 2 of my Vietnam blog. I hope this blog has given you a deeper insight into the Vietnamese culture, and the money saving tips will help you travel for longer when you next visit Vietnam! In a few weeks time I will release my last part (part 3) and will provide you with some recommendations of the best places to see and travel to in Vietnam! Stay posted! Please get in touch in the meantime so I can help you create your perfect Vietnam adventure itinerary. Elliott.rouse@travelcounsellors.com 01603 360095

31 October 2019

Vietnam In recent years Vietnam has seen a high number of tourists visiting every part of the country. From relaxing beach couples, to adventurous backpackers, the country is seeing a growing popularity in all thing’s tourism. More noteworthy is the amount of British nationals and other Europeans working and living in its 2 main bustling cities. But why? What is all the hype about Vietnam? I could easily write a book about the amazing things Vietnam has to offer but for the purpose of this blog I am focusing on the affordability and food culture that exists across the country. Affordability: Firstly, in Vietnam, it is fair to say your money can go a long way! From cheap delicious street food for less than 60p to local beer for less than 20p, why would you not want to explore this truly remarkable country!? Many locals here live on $1-$2/day as myself, my girlfriend and two friends found out when speaking to some locals whilst exploring the northern mountains on motorbikes at the end of last year. As a holiday-maker/traveller/backpacker you can easily have a fun-filled day and eat well for £10 per day if you find the right spots and are prepared to tuck in to the delicious street food that Vietnam is renowned for. It isn’t just the cheap food and drink in Vietnam that appeals to many, it is the exceptionally affordable, but well-presented accommodation that ticks all boxes for visitors from around the world. Starting for as little as £10/night for a basic double room, the hotels that Vietnam offer are like no other around the world. With extremely hard-working staff, attention to detail and a pure sense of belonging, the Vietnamese hotels and hospitality is a truly wonderful experience. Travelling to and from places within Vietnam is also very easy and can be very reasonable too. Almost in every part of the country there are many good train and bus links which connect the major towns, cities and of course little Vietnamese villages which paves the way for visitors. Additionally with a staggering 27 airports and 3 main international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang) travelling in and around the country on low cost airlines has become so much more accessible to all visitors and can also be a very cheap option too. TIP 1: Make sure you only take £2 worth of the local currency (Dong) out with you for your evening drinks in Hanoi (one soon becomes 5/10 trust me), especially for the price! TIP 2: Dorm rooms for those backpackers out there start from: £2.50/night pp! Hotels start from: £10/night! TIP 3: Always check where the airports are around the country as sometimes it can work out cheaper and quicker to catch a short flight as opposed to boarding one of the overnight sleeper trains that run frequently all over the country! Food: With the multiple rice terraces that surround the northern minority villages, it is not surprising that rice (or rice noodles) contribute to a high percentage of the Vietnamese local dishes and is certainly something that you should be sure to try! Prices and quality of food of course can vary, but if there is one thing I can guarantee- it is that the Vietnamese are passionate about their food and 99.9% of the time you will love it! Wherever you are in the country you are bound to stumble across one of the many night markets that exist around the small towns, big cities and even in places you don’t expect them! These markets are not just well-known for the material items, souvenirs and local produce but most importantly the beautiful Vietnamese food. It soon became a habit of ours to research where the next market was on our route to guarantee ourselves a cheap and filling lunch option and you should do exactly that too! ‘Pho’ (pronounced Phaaaa), is a popular Vietnamese cuisine found on almost every corner in the north of the country. The noodle dish which consists of broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat (usually beef or chicken) is a dish that is loved not only by the locals but visitors alike (we certainly had our fair share, averaging maybe 8/week!) ‘Banh Mi’ is another popular Vietnamese food and is a ‘must try’ when visiting Vietnam, and is predominantly found in the south of the country. Consisting of pickled daikon and carrot, crisp cilantro, cucumber and a mix of meat, stuffed into a ‘French’ baguette, it is an easy everyday lunch option for travellers (all for as little as 50p!) (Note: some vendors will offer a range of fillings). ‘Bun Cha’ was probably our favourite of all the Vietnamese dishes we tucked in to and was a dish that we stumbled across whilst trying to find a lunch option in Hanoi. Unfortunately it was a wet day (and yes, you do get rain in Vietnam, especially during the months of June, July and August) and with the rain pouring down we ran from our hostel room to the nearest and busiest place. Expecting to choose what we wanted to eat, we were greeted with no menu, just simply the ‘Bun Cha’ dish. We soon came to the realisation that this was a very good option, especially as we were the only non-Vietnamese in this small but packed local restaurant. Consisting of fresh noodles, barbequed pork, fish sauce and a mix of papaya, carrots and herbs ‘Bun Cha’ is a special Vietnamese dish that the locals (and after this day, US) eat regularly. TIP 1: Be careful with the added ‘Spice’ some vendors add to your baguette. If you are like me and don’t enjoy spicy food, be sure to let your vendor know before serving you your Banh Mi. TIP 2: Try all the Vietnamese food and visit as many food night markets as you can! This concludes part 1 of my Vietnam blog but please stay tuned for part 2 coming soon which will provide information on the culture of the Vietnamese people as well as helpful and useful tips when travelling to Vietnam which could help save you lots of money! Please get in touch in the meantime so I can help you create your perfect Vietnam adventure itinerary. Elliott.rouse@travelcounsellors.com 01603 360095