Regular columnist Barbara was voted Most Helpful Travel Counsellor of the Year for two consecutive years.
Barbara.Charlton@
travelcounsellors.com T: 0845 0587 290
It was with great sadness that I read about Thomas Cook cutting 2500 jobs and closing 195 retail stores. It would be a real shame for the industry to lose more valuable trained and knowledgeable staff to other industries, so I do hope that those with a genuine passion for travel are able to remain in the industry. Travel is just the latest industry to
face job losses due to the changing habits of consumers and the economic climate. Ultimately, the industry needs to adapt and it seems that some high street chains, like Thomas Cook, aren't able to keep up with these changes. As a homeworker, I have seen my business grow. If any Thomas Cook employees want to have a chat with me about running your own business, please get in touch. I’m independent so I have a huge choice of what I can book for my customers and I can work the hours I want. I made the move more than 10 years ago and I’ve not looked back since – I truly love it.
Last week I received a box of some very nice red wine, but I have no idea who sent it! After thinking about it I realise that I must have won it. It was a lovely surprise that I’d like to thank the person/company who sent it. If any readers have an idea about where
Two faces of Thailand, Ao Nang and TLC at a roadshow
it came from, please let me know! Speaking of special deliveries, I just
became a grandparent for the first time! I am so proud to be nanna to a beautiful little girl who was so excited about meeting her family that she arrived seven weeks early! Luckily she was a good weight and is doing well. I'm looking forward to this next stage of my life – is there such a thing as being a Nanzilla?!
More best-kept secrets...
Our winner this month is Ken Crawley, a very well-travelled man in his 60s who is on a mission to visit every country on the planet. So far he’s doing well!
Bird's eye Zimbabwe "We took a microlight flight over Victoria Falls, instead of the more common helicopter flight. It's a totally different and unique experience. "The picture is taken from an under- wing camera on the microlight. To fly over the Falls at approximately 1500ft at 35-40mph in such a small craft was truly breath-taking! "Of course, it goes without saying that any such airborne trips should only be taken with reputable and insured operators!" Ken Crawley
In second place is Rebecca Aylett, who has spent six months travelling Australia with her family.
Serene Blue Mountains
“The Blue Mountains near Sydney are amazing but it’s hard to
get a good view with the hoards of tourists. Head to Sublime Point where you can take in the amazing blue haze over the mountains with hardly another person in sight. It's truly a magical place." Rebecca Aylett
WIN! Share your secrets for the chance to win goodies from Hotel Chocolat. Send Barbara your name, address and best kept sales secret!
www.sellinglonghaul.com
I always think it’s great when there are travel training sessions outside of the major cities, so I was especially pleased when I heard that the Thailand Tourism roadshow was including Crawley on its list of 14 UK towns and cities for this year. The evening was made even more
tempting by its location; the Giggling Squid is an amazing Thai restaurant in the town centre. It was closed to the public for the fantastic evening, jam-packed with agents, tour operator reservations staff and of course lots of lovely suppliers and hotel reps. As well as a lovely Thai meal, we were lucky enough to have a Thai massage! It was a really useful evening and I have come away with lots of tips to share with my clients. So far, I've kept my New Year’s resolution for a training evening per month, but I do need to line up a few more for April/May. I shall be keeping my eyes peeled on the Travel Uni emails for suitable events. Failing that, I will make sure I do a couple of new online training modules instead as I find them so invaluable. Forthcoming TAT roadshow details at selling
longhaul.com, click on EVENTS
April 2013 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68