My First Year as a Travel Counsellor
I’m not sure I could’ve timed this to be any worse?! One week before the first national lockdown started and with travel being restricted for the vast majority of the past year, a new career in the travel industry has definitely not been easy. Do I regret my decision? No. Would I do it again? Yes. Am I still in business? Yes. Am I determined to make a success of my business in the years ahead? Absolutely.
I’ve spent a lot of time (32 weeks to be precise) working my way through a whole variety of online training modules. I’ve joined group online training sessions with my fellow Travel Academy new starters as well as studying at my own pace. The training has covered such a lot of information from business principles, tips for being self-employed, the Travel Counsellors brand and vision, learning about the available technology and an immersion in the travel industry in terms of background, structure, key organisations, partners and suppliers etc.
I’m well-travelled (I’ve visited more than 50 countries) however there are still a lot of places I don’t know so I’ve spent time this past year learning about some of the countries and regions that I know less well. Travel Counsellors works in partnerships with destination management companies all around the world (these are the experts on the ground) and with regional or national tourist boards, airlines, cruise operators and hotel suppliers. I’ve been on virtual tours of some amazing properties across the globe, experienced the range of activities on offer in far flung places etc.
Although travel has been restricted for a large portion of the year I’ve worked on enquiries and bookings for a variety of customers. Destinations have included a cruise around Japan, a trip to Australia for a family wedding, a week break in the south of France, a summer holiday in the Channel Islands, a city break in Spain, a two-week adventure in Texas, USA, a luxury getaway in the Caribbean and a winter holiday in Lapland.
I’ve been engaging with customers on social media. I joined Instagram in March last year and regularly post inspirational photographs from my own travels. I’ve just finished a countdown of my Top Ten Favourite Countries which I found very difficult to do as how do you decide which countries to include?! I’ve really enjoyed seeing which images are popular and interacting with people. My Facebook Travel Counsellors page is a mixture of my own travel photography, travel advice (particularly during the time when restrictions were changing regularly) and content linking to specific destinations or products. My LinkedIn posts are more business focussed and have included travel advice around Brexit and the implications on travel for British passport holders.
I’ve enjoyed writing a range of different blog posts including My Travel Biography, highlights from my trips to countries such as Norway, Cuba, Brazil and Japan as well as writing about my first international travel experience in a post Covid world. I hope people find these blogs interesting, informative and inspiring.
E-newsletters have been sent to all my customers on a regular basis. They provide ideas and inspiration for future holidays. In addition, they offer reassurance and information about key aspects of travel such as financial protection.
Understandably I’ve not been able to attend any networking events or conferences as these have been put on hold. Hopefully this opportunity will be possible later this year.
It’s definitely been a challenging year at times. I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learnt (I’m far more resilient and determined than I thought I was) and I’m now looking to the future. Restrictions are starting to be lifted, the vaccination programme is well underway, procedures are being put in place and international border arrangements are being negotiated to allow us to be able to travel safely.
I plan to be busy researching, planning and booking travel within the UK and abroad for all my customers. Please get in touch if I can help with any travel or holiday ideas you have.
Happy 1st anniversary to me! And happy holidays to you all for the future!